Research article - (2012)11, 643 - 652
Field Based Reliability and Validity of the Bioharness™ Multivariable Monitoring Device
James A. Johnstone1,, Paul A. Ford3, Gerwyn Hughes1, Tim Watson2, Andrew C. S. Mitchell1, Andrew T. Garrett4
1Sport, Health and Exercise Research Group, School of Life and Medical Sciences, 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, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, AL10 9AB, UK
Email: j.a.johnstone@herts.ac.uk
Received: 30-05-2012 -- Accepted: 29-08-2012
Published (online): 01-12-2012

ABSTRACT

The Bioharness™ device is designed for monitoring physiological variables in free-living situations but has only been proven to be reliable and valid in a laboratory environment. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the reliability and validity of the Bioharness™ using a field based protocol. Twenty healthy males participated. Heart rate (HR), breathing frequency (BF) and accelerometry (ACC) were assessed by simultaneous measurement of two Bioharness™ devices and a test-retest of a discontinuous incremental walk-jog-run protocol (4 - 11 km·h-1) completed in a sports hall. Adopted precision of measurement devices were; HR: Polar T31 (Polar Electro), BF: Spirometer (Cortex Metalyser), ACC: Oxygen expenditure (Cortex Metalyser). For all data, precision of measurement reported good relationships (r = 0.61 to 0.67, p < 0.01) and large Limits of Agreement for HR (>79.2 b·min-1) and BF (>54.7 br·min-1). ACC presented excellent precision (r = 0.94, p < 0.01). Results for HR (r= ~0.91, p < 0.01: CV <7.6) and ACC (r > 0.97, p < 0.01; CV <14.7) suggested these variables are reliable. BF presented more variable data (r = 0.46-0.61, p < 0.01; CV < 23.7). As velocity of movement increased (>8 km·h-1) data became more erroneous. A data cleaning protocol removed gross errors in the data analysis and subsequent reliability and validity statistics improved across all variables. In conclusion, the Bioharness™ HR and ACC variables have demonstrated reliability and validity in a field setting, though data collected at higher velocities should be treated with caution. Measuring human physiological responses in a field based environment allows for more ecologically valid data to be collected and devices such as the Bioharness™ could be used by exercise professionals to begin to further investigate this area.

Key words: Multi-variable, physiological monitoring, ecological validity, new technology

Key Points
  • Field based monitoring technology should be assessed for reliability and validity in both the laboratory and applied setting in order to fully understand the data quality.
  • Providing increased transparency in data collection and processing allows the exercise professional a comprehensive view of new technology.
  • Of the three Bioharness™ variables assessed, heart rate and accelerometry provided the most valid and reliable data.
  • The Bioharness™ and other similar new monitoring technology, may allow for further insight in to physical performance during ecologically valid experimental and “in-competition” athletic scenarios.








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