Research article - (2012)11, 400 - 408
Bioharness Multivariable Monitoring Device: Part. I: Validity
James A. Johnstone1,, Paul A. Ford3, Gerwyn Hughes1, Tim Watson2, Andrew T. Garrett4
1School of Life Sciencesz, University of Hertfordshire, UK
2School of Health and Emergency Professions, University of Hertfordshire, UK
3British Olympic Association, London, UK
4Department of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, University of Hull, UK

James A. Johnstone
✉ Sport, Health and Exercise Science Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, AL10 9AB, UK.
Email: j.a.johnstone@herts.ac.uk
Received: 30-03-2012 -- Accepted: 04-05-2012
Published (online): 01-09-2012

ABSTRACT

The Bioharness monitoring system may provide physiological information on human performance but there is limited information on its validity. The objective of this study was to assess the validity of all 5 Bioharness variables using a laboratory based treadmill protocol. 22 healthy males participated. Heart rate (HR), Breathing Frequency (BF) and Accelerometry (ACC) precision were assessed during a discontinuous incremental (0-12 km·h-1) treadmill protocol. Infra-red skin temperature (ST) was assessed during a 45 min-1 sub-maximal cycle ergometer test, completed twice, with environmental temperature controlled at 20 ± 0.1 °C and 30 ± 0.1 °C. Posture (P) was assessed using a tilt table moved through 160°. Adopted precision of measurement devices were; HR: Polar T31 (Polar Electro), BF: Spirometer (Cortex Metalyser), ACC: Oxygen expenditure (Cortex Metalyser), ST: Skin thermistors (Grant Instruments), P:Goniometer (Leighton Flexometer). Strong relationships (r = .89 to .99, p < 0.01) were reported for HR, BF, ACC and P. Limits of agreement identified differences in HR (-3.05 ± 32.20 b·min-1), BF (-3.46 ± 43.70 br·min-1) and P (0.20 ± 2.62°). ST established a moderate relationships (-0.61 ± 1.98 °C; r = 0.76, p < 0.01). Higher velocities on the treadmill decreased the precision of measurement, especially HR and BF. Global results suggest that the BioharressTM is a valid multivariable monitoring device within the laboratory environment.

Key words: Physiological technology, precision of measurement, exercise

Key Points
  • Different levels of precision exist for each variable in the Bioharness (Version 1) multi-variable monitoring device
  • Accelerometry and posture variables presented the most precise data
  • Data from the heart rate and breathing frequency variable decrease in precision at velocities ≥ 10 km·h
  • Clear understanding of the limitations of new applied monitoring technology is required before it is used by the exercise scientist








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