Validity Assessment of Resting Heart Rate Variability From the Garmin Health Snapshot
Faculty Mentor
Andrew Flatt
Location
Russell Union Ballroom
Type of Research
On-going
Session Format
Poster Presentation
College
Waters College of Health Professions
Department
Department of Health Science and Kinesiology
Abstract
Commercial wearable devices are increasingly used to monitor heart rate variability (HRV) outside laboratory settings but their accuracy relative to electrocardiography (ECG) remains inconsistent. Furthermore, photoplethysmography based sensors may be influenced by factors such as skin pigmentation and body position, potentially affecting the validity of their HRV estimation. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation is to assess the agreement between the Garmin Forerunner 265 (a commercially available sports watch) and an ECG chest strap for determining resting HRV. Secondary aims were to assess the impact of skin pigmentation and body position on measurement accuracy. Young adults aged 18–39 years without known cardiovascular conditions and without tattooing or scarring on the dorsal left wrist were recruited. HRV was recorded simultaneously using ECG and the Forerunner 265’s optical sensor during Garmin’s two minute “Health Snapshot.” Measurements were obtained in three standardized positions: supine, seated, and standing. Skin pigmentation was quantified using reflectance spectrophotometry to provide an objective melanin index. HRV values automatically generated by the Garmin application will be compared with ECG derived HRV calculated using specialized analysis software. Findings from this study will contribute to a clearer understanding of the validity of HRV estimates obtained from a sport watch across diverse populations and common resting postures. Such information is increasingly important as remote monitoring becomes more common in both clinical and athletic settings. Results will be presented upon completion of data collection.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-23-2026 10:00 AM
End Date
4-23-2026 12:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Porter, Kayla M., "Validity Assessment of Resting Heart Rate Variability From the Garmin Health Snapshot" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 41.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/41
Validity Assessment of Resting Heart Rate Variability From the Garmin Health Snapshot
Russell Union Ballroom
Commercial wearable devices are increasingly used to monitor heart rate variability (HRV) outside laboratory settings but their accuracy relative to electrocardiography (ECG) remains inconsistent. Furthermore, photoplethysmography based sensors may be influenced by factors such as skin pigmentation and body position, potentially affecting the validity of their HRV estimation. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation is to assess the agreement between the Garmin Forerunner 265 (a commercially available sports watch) and an ECG chest strap for determining resting HRV. Secondary aims were to assess the impact of skin pigmentation and body position on measurement accuracy. Young adults aged 18–39 years without known cardiovascular conditions and without tattooing or scarring on the dorsal left wrist were recruited. HRV was recorded simultaneously using ECG and the Forerunner 265’s optical sensor during Garmin’s two minute “Health Snapshot.” Measurements were obtained in three standardized positions: supine, seated, and standing. Skin pigmentation was quantified using reflectance spectrophotometry to provide an objective melanin index. HRV values automatically generated by the Garmin application will be compared with ECG derived HRV calculated using specialized analysis software. Findings from this study will contribute to a clearer understanding of the validity of HRV estimates obtained from a sport watch across diverse populations and common resting postures. Such information is increasingly important as remote monitoring becomes more common in both clinical and athletic settings. Results will be presented upon completion of data collection.
