Accuracy of Wearable Devices for Estimating Energy Expenditure and Heart Rate During Golf

Abstract

PURPOSE This study examined the accuracy of the heart rate (HR) and energy expenditure (EE) measured by commercially available wearable devices during golf. METHODS A total of 14 male golfers (24.0±4.06 years) participated in this study. Each participant wore five wearable devices (Apple Watch Series 2, AS; Fitbit Versa, FV; Polar V800, PV; Samsung Galaxy Watch Active, SA; and Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR, SWH) on the wrist in the laboratory and/or on a golf course. The criterion measures used to evaluate the accuracy of the HR and EE entailed a wireless heart rate monitor (Polar V800, Polar, Finland) and portable indirect gas analyzer (K4b2, COSMED, Italy). In the laboratory, the participants walked on a treadmill and swung golf clubs using seven iron. On the golf course, the participants played golf in nine holes. RESULTS In the laboratory, the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of the HR in the five wearable devices was within 8% for walking and golf club swinging, excluding FV (12%). The MAPE in EE was within 15% for SA, AS, and PV when walking at a speed of 5.6 km/h on the treadmill, but the MAPE in golf club swinging were within 25%. On the golf courses, the HR in all wearable devices showed the MAPE of <5% but EE showed an error rate of <20%, excluding SWH (73%). CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study suggest that wearable devices might be used to monitor intensity and amount of exercise during golf.

Keywords

• wearable watches
• golf
• heart rate
• energy expenditure
• accuracy