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Updated: Mar 23, 2026
Assessing the Accuracy of Fitness Smartwatch Data for Cardiovascular and Physical Activity Monitoring: A Validation Study in Digital Health
Published on: February 21, 2025
Research using smartwatches for the measurement of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep: A scoping review
José Francisco da Silva1, Antonio Henrique Germano-Soares2, Tuillamys Virgínio de Oliveira3
1Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil; Department of Physical Education, Faculdade Pernambucana de Saúde, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
Objective:
The objective of this scoping review is to map the evidence on using smartwatches to objectively measure physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep in children, adolescents, adults, and older adults.
Methods:
This review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines for scoping reviews, following a previously published protocol. The searches were conducted in January 2022 on Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore Digital Library, Scielo, LILACS, Health Technology Assessment Database, Cochrane clinical trials, and clinical trials. The screening was performed independently by two authors. A narrative synthesis was used.
Results:
After the electronic search, 5,925 records were identified and 2,008 duplicates removed. Screening of 3,917 titles and abstracts resulted in 491 full-text articles assessed for eligibility. A total of 427 studies were excluded for not meeting inclusion criteria, with one study added after author contact. Thus, 64 of these studies were included. Sample sizes ranged widely from 4 to 6,454 participants, with most studies (80.9%) including 100 or fewer participants. Most studies were conducted in the United States (46.9%), followed by China (9.4%). A total of 18 different smartwatch brands were identified, with Apple® being the most investigated (46.9%), followed by Samsung® (15.6), Fitbit® (14.1%), Motorola® (10.9%), Polar® (10.9%), Garmin® (9.4%), Asus® (3.1%), and others (1.6% each. Smartwatches were primarily used to validate measurements of PA, SB, and/or sleep parameters, followed by their use in assessing these variables as exposures or outcomes, testing feasibility, supporting self-monitoring, and other purposes. The most frequently measured variables were steps, total sleep time, and SB.
Conclusion:
This review can help studies, interventions, and health professionals that aim to use this technology as a measurement instrument, as well as help end users who use it on a daily basis.
