JMIR Mhealth Uhealth September 2020 PMID 32897239

Reliability and Validity of Commercially Available Wearable Devices for Measuring Steps, Energy Expenditure, and Heart Rate: Systematic Review.

Daniel Fuller, Emily Colwell, Jonathan Low, Kassia Orychock, Melissa Ann Tobin, Bo Simango, Richard Buote, Desiree Van Heerden, Hui Luan, Kimberley Cullen, Logan Slade, Nathan G A Taylor

Mentions

96
Peak: 16 in Sep 2020
across 4 sources since Sep 2020

Extended reach

216,383
potential audience

Total likes

191

Video views

14,370

Mentions per month

Sep 2020 – Apr 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News56 articles
  • X / Twitter30 posts
  • YouTube7 videos
  • Blogs3 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Several comments highlight the study’s findings by stating that commercial devices are unreliable for measuring energy expenditure and VO2max, often emphasizing the flaws in data and algorithms. The tone ranges from cautious skepticism to enthusiastic acknowledgment, using words like 'flawed,' 'errors,' and 'misleading,' which reflect both concern and recognition of the review’s importance in evaluating consumer health technology.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the review's findings about the limited accuracy of consumer wearables, with some agreeing that they shouldn't be used for precise energy measurements.

InterestHigh interest

Posts express high curiosity, referencing the comprehensive nature of the study and sharing enthusiasm for its implications for fitness and health tracking.

EngagementHigh engagement

Many discussions delve into specifics, criticizing proprietary algorithms, mentioning device brands like Apple Watch and Fitbit, and debating the reliability issues, indicating deep engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

Posts suggest the review could significantly influence perceptions about wearable tech, with some considering it a 'game changer' for health monitoring practices.

Abstract in brief

  • This systematic review analyzed the accuracy and consistency of popular wearable devices like Fitbit, Apple Watch, and Samsung in measuring steps, heart rate, and energy expenditure.
  • The study found that wearables generally provide accurate step and heart rate data in lab settings, but their reliability varies by brand, with some devices tending to underestimate certain measures.
  • No wearable device was found to be reliably accurate for estimating energy expenditure, and ongoing updates to device models highlight the need for continued research to evaluate their performance.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Daniel Fuller
@walkabilly · X

#newpaper OMG this has been 4 years in the making. To my knowledge the largest and most comprehensive #systematicreview of the reliability and validity of commercial wearable devices. https://t.co/F4mKLBFvQi @MemorialHKR @MemorialU @CRC_CRC @CIHR_IRSC

Sep 8, 2020 · 51 likes · 11 shares · 1,581 followers View post →
TheFrenchEpidemiologist
@frenchepidemio · X

Les applications de calcul de kcal sont mauvaises pour estimer la dépense énergétique (comparaison de l'appli vs la calorimétrie) Il y a un nombre non négligeable de prédictions avec des erreurs (Mean Percentage Error =MPE) supérieures à 50% ! https://t.co/O5OOMw8TjO https://t.co/DlNSpLtZkN

Apr 4, 2023 · 16 likes · 15,162 followers View post →
JMIR Publications
@jmirpub · X

New in JMIR mhealth: Reliability and Validity of Commercially Available #Wearable Devices for Measuring Steps, Energy Expenditure, and Heart Rate: Systematic Review https://t.co/h06GNIWPBo https://t.co/lRzVjnNCkF

Sep 8, 2020 · 5 likes · 35,912 followers View post →
GDLeahy
@GDLeahy · X

Reliability and Validity of Commercially Available Wearable Devices for Measuring Steps, Energy Expenditure, and Heart Rate: Systematic Review https://t.co/0w7paiBjJ3

May 25, 2021 · 4 likes · 5 shares · 679 followers View post →
Mike Matthews
@muscleforlife · X

This study isn’t the first to show that commercially available activity trackers shouldn’t be used to estimate energy expenditure, either. https://t.co/MhuwakmFsF https://t.co/R5L2IEJe7o

Sep 24, 2022 · 2 likes · 104,604 followers View post →
Jun Fuse@循環器内科医
@jfuse0320 · X

測定精度が高いスマートウォッチ 歩数→Fitbit、Apple Watch、Samsung 心拍数→Apple Watch、Garmin エネルギー消費→精度の高いものなし https://t.co/GQHeZQFltd ただし、デバイスは常にアップデートしています。

May 26, 2021 · 2 likes · 994 followers View post →

All mentions

babadooks
@SupremeSukuna · X

@FrempBets @nottween @trvywalk @JamessssRoss @a1ias86 @isoquince Fuller, D., Colwell, E., Low, J., et al. (2020). Reliability and Validity of Commercially Available Wearable Devices for Measuring Steps, Energy Expenditure, and Heart Rate: Systematic Review. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 8(9), e18694. https://t.co/sEKIA8z3As

Apr 15, 2025 · 136 followers View post →
Charlotte Goodall
@charlottegooda7 · X

@medicinexthings https://t.co/fnoD6B6mRX Their algorithms are proprietary but they are based on flawed data to start with. Plus you can’t measure VO2max out of the lab without making some very dodgy approximations even if the basic data is right (it isn’t).

Jan 1, 2025 · 2 likes · 382 followers View post →
縄田佳志@Nealle
@nawakei · X

@AyatoShinohara Applewatchなどのウェアラブルデバイスの信頼性妥当性を検討したシステマティックレビュー https://t.co/cirIukY784

Sep 12, 2023 · 537 followers View post →
Nick Vardavas
@vardavas · X

1. Fuller D, et al. Reliability and Validity of Commercially Available Wearable Devices for Measuring Steps, Energy Expenditure, and Heart Rate: Systematic Review. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2020 Sep 8;8(9):e18694. doi: 10.2196/18694. PMID: 32897239; PMCID: PMC7509623.

Apr 18, 2023 · 1 like · 134 followers View post →
TheFrenchEpidemiologist
@frenchepidemio · X

Les applications de calcul de kcal sont mauvaises pour estimer la dépense énergétique (comparaison de l'appli vs la calorimétrie) Il y a un nombre non négligeable de prédictions avec des erreurs (Mean Percentage Error =MPE) supérieures à 50% ! https://t.co/O5OOMw8TjO https://t.co/DlNSpLtZkN

Apr 4, 2023 · 16 likes · 15,162 followers View post →
Mike Matthews
@muscleforlife · X

This study isn’t the first to show that commercially available activity trackers shouldn’t be used to estimate energy expenditure, either. https://t.co/MhuwakmFsF https://t.co/R5L2IEJe7o

Sep 24, 2022 · 2 likes · 104,604 followers View post →
Jun Fuse@循環器内科医
@jfuse0320 · X

測定精度が高いスマートウォッチ 歩数→Fitbit、Apple Watch、Samsung 心拍数→Apple Watch、Garmin エネルギー消費→精度の高いものなし https://t.co/GQHeZQFltd ただし、デバイスは常にアップデートしています。

May 26, 2021 · 2 likes · 994 followers View post →
Tactical Research GRoup
@_T_R_Gr_ · X

RT @GDLeahy: Reliability and Validity of Commercially Available Wearable Devices for Measuring Steps, Energy Expenditure, and Heart Rate: S…

May 26, 2021 · 5 shares · 100 followers View post →
EskeleThor
@EskeleThor · X

RT @GDLeahy: Reliability and Validity of Commercially Available Wearable Devices for Measuring Steps, Energy Expenditure, and Heart Rate: S…

May 26, 2021 · 5 shares · 405 followers View post →
Chris Boyer, DPT, OCS, Dip.MDT
@chrisboyerPT · X

RT @GDLeahy: Reliability and Validity of Commercially Available Wearable Devices for Measuring Steps, Energy Expenditure, and Heart Rate: S…

May 26, 2021 · 5 shares · 539 followers View post →
SystematicReviewBot
@EvidenceRobot · X

RT @GDLeahy: Reliability and Validity of Commercially Available Wearable Devices for Measuring Steps, Energy Expenditure, and Heart Rate: S…

May 25, 2021 · 5 shares · 6,713 followers View post →
GDLeahy
@GDLeahy · X

Reliability and Validity of Commercially Available Wearable Devices for Measuring Steps, Energy Expenditure, and Heart Rate: Systematic Review https://t.co/0w7paiBjJ3

May 25, 2021 · 4 likes · 5 shares · 679 followers View post →
SystematicReviewBot
@EvidenceRobot · X

RT @ohd_d: どのウェアラブルデバイスを買うか悩んでるならsystematic reviewを読もう。 さらに悩むことになるかもw Reliability and Validity of Commercially Available Wearable Devices…

Jan 14, 2021 · 1 share · 6,713 followers View post →
OHD
@ohd_d · X

どのウェアラブルデバイスを買うか悩んでるならsystematic reviewを読もう。 さらに悩むことになるかもw Reliability and Validity of Commercially Available Wearable Devices for Measuring Steps, Energy Expenditure, and Heart Rate: Systematic Review https://t.co/0sQ18yjTV0

Jan 14, 2021 · 1 share · 42 followers View post →
Kristof De Mey
@krdemey · X

@docgoble Nice one.

Sep 30, 2020 · 2,737 followers View post →
Kenneth Lee
@KennyPharmPhD · X

Reliability and Validity of Commercially Available Wearable Devices for Measuring Steps, Energy Expenditure, and Heart Rate: Systematic Review https://t.co/4HKID6StNO @jmirpub #fitness

Sep 19, 2020 · 878 followers View post →
jenderton4
@enderton_justin · X

Reliability and Validity of Commercially Available Wearable Devices for Measuring Steps, Energy Expenditure, and Heart Rate #Fitness via https://t.co/Yd1zxcM76n https://t.co/LzKjhpOzs7

Sep 17, 2020 · 2,488 followers View post →
Sarah Moore
@ParaPLAYHub · X

Nice paper by Dr. Fuller (@walkabilly) and team: Reliability and Validity of Commercially Available Wearable Devices for Measuring Steps, Energy Expenditure, and Heart Rate. Check it out folks

Sep 9, 2020 · 1 like · 1,098 followers View post →
Helen Wong
@HelenWongRD · X

RT @walkabilly: #newpaper OMG this has been 4 years in the making. To my knowledge the largest and most comprehensive #systematicreview of…

Sep 9, 2020 · 11 shares · 3,467 followers View post →
ThePAWSLab
@ThePAWSLab · X

RT @walkabilly: #newpaper OMG this has been 4 years in the making. To my knowledge the largest and most comprehensive #systematicreview of…

Sep 9, 2020 · 11 shares · 204 followers View post →
Denver Brown
@TheDenverBrown · X

RT @walkabilly: #newpaper OMG this has been 4 years in the making. To my knowledge the largest and most comprehensive #systematicreview of…

Sep 9, 2020 · 11 shares · 924 followers View post →
Marquis
@MarkJask · X

RT @walkabilly: #newpaper OMG this has been 4 years in the making. To my knowledge the largest and most comprehensive #systematicreview of…

Sep 9, 2020 · 11 shares · 50 followers View post →
Andy Yan | @ayan604.bsky.social
@Ayan604 · X

RT @walkabilly: #newpaper OMG this has been 4 years in the making. To my knowledge the largest and most comprehensive #systematicreview of…

Sep 9, 2020 · 11 shares · 10,624 followers View post →
GeoHealth Network
@GeoHlthNetwork · X

RT @walkabilly: #newpaper OMG this has been 4 years in the making. To my knowledge the largest and most comprehensive #systematicreview of…

Sep 9, 2020 · 11 shares · 1,618 followers View post →
Aaron Kandola
@KandolaAaron · X

RT @walkabilly: #newpaper OMG this has been 4 years in the making. To my knowledge the largest and most comprehensive #systematicreview of…

Sep 9, 2020 · 11 shares · 448 followers View post →
Brianne Chafe
@chafe_b · X

RT @walkabilly: #newpaper OMG this has been 4 years in the making. To my knowledge the largest and most comprehensive #systematicreview of…

Sep 8, 2020 · 11 shares · 88 followers View post →
Hui (Henry) Luan
@GIS_Luan · X

RT @walkabilly: #newpaper OMG this has been 4 years in the making. To my knowledge the largest and most comprehensive #systematicreview of…

Sep 8, 2020 · 11 shares · 268 followers View post →
Trisalyn Nelson
@TrisalynNelson · X

RT @walkabilly: #newpaper OMG this has been 4 years in the making. To my knowledge the largest and most comprehensive #systematicreview of…

Sep 8, 2020 · 11 shares · 2,194 followers View post →
Daniel Fuller
@walkabilly · X

#newpaper OMG this has been 4 years in the making. To my knowledge the largest and most comprehensive #systematicreview of the reliability and validity of commercial wearable devices. https://t.co/F4mKLBFvQi @MemorialHKR @MemorialU @CRC_CRC @CIHR_IRSC

Sep 8, 2020 · 51 likes · 11 shares · 1,581 followers View post →
JMIR Publications
@jmirpub · X

New in JMIR mhealth: Reliability and Validity of Commercially Available #Wearable Devices for Measuring Steps, Energy Expenditure, and Heart Rate: Systematic Review https://t.co/h06GNIWPBo https://t.co/lRzVjnNCkF

Sep 8, 2020 · 5 likes · 35,912 followers View post →