Estimation of Heart Rate and Energy Expenditure Using a Smart Bracelet during Different Exercise Intensities: A Reliability and Validity Study

Background. With wrist-worn wearables becoming increasingly available, it is important to understand their reliability and validity in different conditions. The primary objective of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Lexin Mio smart bracelet in measuring heart rate (HR) and energy expenditure (EE) in people with different physical activity levels exercising at different intensities. Methods. A total of 65 participants completed one maximal oxygen uptake test and two running exercise tests wearing the Mio smart bracelet, the Polar H10 HR band, and a gas-analysis system. Results. In terms of HR measurement reliability, the Mio smart bracelet showed good reliability in a left versus right test and good test–retest reliability (p > 0.05; mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) < 10%; intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) > 0.4). For EE measurement, the Mio smart bracelet showed good reliability in a left versus right test, good test–retest reliability on the right (p > 0.05; MAPE > 10%; ICC > 0.4), and low test–retest reliability on the left (p > 0.05; MAPE > 10%; ICC < 0.4). Regarding validity, the Mio smart bracelet showed good validity for HR measurement (p > 0.05; MAPE < 10%; ICC > 0.4) and low validity for EE measurement (p < 0.05; MAPE > 10%; ICC < 0.4). Conclusion. The Lexin Mio smart bracelet showed good reliability and validity for HR measurement among people with different physical activity levels exercising at various exercise intensities in a laboratory setting. However, the smart bracelet showed good reliability and low validity for the estimation of EE.