Smartwatch-Derived VO2max Prediction Model for Korean Adults: Utilizing Heart Rate and GPS Data from the 12-Minute...

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Wearable Technology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Smartwatches now offer advanced sensors for tracking running metrics like distance and heart rate.
• The 12-minute Cooper test is a widely used field test for assessing cardiorespiratory fitness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the use of smartwatches in the 12-minute Cooper test for estimating VO2max.
• To develop and validate a predictive equation for VO2max specifically for Korean adults using smartwatch data.

Main Methods:

• 104 Korean adults (53 male, 51 female) underwent a maximal graded treadmill test to determine VO2max.
• Participants completed the 12-minute Cooper test wearing a smartwatch to record distance, average heart rate, and peak heart rate.
• Multiple regression analysis incorporated sex, height, weight, mean HR, peak HR, and distance to create a VO2max prediction model.

Main Results:

• The developed smartwatch-based VO2max prediction equation achieved an R² of 0.853 and an SEE of 3.176 mL/kg/min.
• The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) between measured and predicted VO2max was 0.961, indicating high agreement.
• The smartwatch model's explanatory power (86.0%) and lower SEE (3.024 mL/kg/min) surpassed traditional methods (81.0% and 3.516 mL/kg/min).

Conclusions:

• A smartwatch-based VO2max prediction model using the Cooper test is highly accurate for Korean adults.
• This novel equation provides a more precise and accessible method for estimating cardiorespiratory fitness.
• Smartwatch technology offers a valid and superior alternative to traditional methods for VO2max assessment.