Test–Retest Reliability and Concurrent Validity of Photoplethysmography Finger Sensor to Collect Measures of Heart Rate Variability

The purpose of the current study was to determine the test–retest reliability and concurrent validity of a photoplethysmography (PPG) finger sensor when collecting heart rate variability (HRV) metrics in reference to electrocardiography (ECG) and heart rate monitor (HRM) devices. Five minutes of R-R...

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Main Authors: Donald W. Rogers, Andreas T. Himariotis, Thomas J. Sherriff, Quentin J. Proulx, Megan T. Duong, Sabrina E. Noel, David J. Cornell
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Sports
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/13/2/29
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author Donald W. Rogers
Andreas T. Himariotis
Thomas J. Sherriff
Quentin J. Proulx
Megan T. Duong
Sabrina E. Noel
David J. Cornell
author_facet Donald W. Rogers
Andreas T. Himariotis
Thomas J. Sherriff
Quentin J. Proulx
Megan T. Duong
Sabrina E. Noel
David J. Cornell
author_sort Donald W. Rogers
collection DOAJ
description The purpose of the current study was to determine the test–retest reliability and concurrent validity of a photoplethysmography (PPG) finger sensor when collecting heart rate variability (HRV) metrics in reference to electrocardiography (ECG) and heart rate monitor (HRM) devices. Five minutes of R-R interval data were collected from 45 participants (23 females; age: 23.13 ± 4.45 yrs; body mass index: 25.39 ± 4.13 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) in the supine and seated positions in testing sessions 48 h apart. <i>Moderate-to-excellent</i> test–retest reliability of the HRV data collected from the PPG sensor was identified (ICC<sub>2,1</sub> = 0.60–0.93). Additionally, similar standard errors of the mean, coefficient of variation, and minimal detectable change metrics were observed across all devices. Statistically significant (<i>p</i> < 0.05) differences were identified in the HRV data between the PPG sensor and ECG and HRM devices; however, these differences were interpreted as <i>trivial-to-small</i> (<i>g</i> = 0.00–0.59). Further, the PPG sensor tended to only overestimate HRV metrics by <0.5 ms and <i>near perfect</i> relationships (<i>r</i> = 0.91–1.00) and <i>very large-to-near perfect</i> agreement (CCC = 0.81–1.00) were identified between collection methods. The PPG sensor demonstrated adequate test–retest reliability and concurrent validity in both the supine and seated resting positions.
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spelling doaj-art-eea97182718848aba7d6dfe851ce8a7c2025-08-20T02:44:29ZengMDPI AGSports2075-46632025-01-011322910.3390/sports13020029Test–Retest Reliability and Concurrent Validity of Photoplethysmography Finger Sensor to Collect Measures of Heart Rate VariabilityDonald W. Rogers0Andreas T. Himariotis1Thomas J. Sherriff2Quentin J. Proulx3Megan T. Duong4Sabrina E. Noel5David J. Cornell6Health Assessment Laboratory, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USAHealth Assessment Laboratory, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USAHealth Assessment Laboratory, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USAHealth Assessment Laboratory, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USAHealth Assessment Laboratory, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USAHealth Assessment Laboratory, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USAHealth Assessment Laboratory, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USAThe purpose of the current study was to determine the test–retest reliability and concurrent validity of a photoplethysmography (PPG) finger sensor when collecting heart rate variability (HRV) metrics in reference to electrocardiography (ECG) and heart rate monitor (HRM) devices. Five minutes of R-R interval data were collected from 45 participants (23 females; age: 23.13 ± 4.45 yrs; body mass index: 25.39 ± 4.13 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) in the supine and seated positions in testing sessions 48 h apart. <i>Moderate-to-excellent</i> test–retest reliability of the HRV data collected from the PPG sensor was identified (ICC<sub>2,1</sub> = 0.60–0.93). Additionally, similar standard errors of the mean, coefficient of variation, and minimal detectable change metrics were observed across all devices. Statistically significant (<i>p</i> < 0.05) differences were identified in the HRV data between the PPG sensor and ECG and HRM devices; however, these differences were interpreted as <i>trivial-to-small</i> (<i>g</i> = 0.00–0.59). Further, the PPG sensor tended to only overestimate HRV metrics by <0.5 ms and <i>near perfect</i> relationships (<i>r</i> = 0.91–1.00) and <i>very large-to-near perfect</i> agreement (CCC = 0.81–1.00) were identified between collection methods. The PPG sensor demonstrated adequate test–retest reliability and concurrent validity in both the supine and seated resting positions.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/13/2/29autonomic nervous systemelectrocardiographyheart rate monitorfield-based monitoringsport science
spellingShingle Donald W. Rogers
Andreas T. Himariotis
Thomas J. Sherriff
Quentin J. Proulx
Megan T. Duong
Sabrina E. Noel
David J. Cornell
Test–Retest Reliability and Concurrent Validity of Photoplethysmography Finger Sensor to Collect Measures of Heart Rate Variability
Sports
autonomic nervous system
electrocardiography
heart rate monitor
field-based monitoring
sport science
title Test–Retest Reliability and Concurrent Validity of Photoplethysmography Finger Sensor to Collect Measures of Heart Rate Variability
title_full Test–Retest Reliability and Concurrent Validity of Photoplethysmography Finger Sensor to Collect Measures of Heart Rate Variability
title_fullStr Test–Retest Reliability and Concurrent Validity of Photoplethysmography Finger Sensor to Collect Measures of Heart Rate Variability
title_full_unstemmed Test–Retest Reliability and Concurrent Validity of Photoplethysmography Finger Sensor to Collect Measures of Heart Rate Variability
title_short Test–Retest Reliability and Concurrent Validity of Photoplethysmography Finger Sensor to Collect Measures of Heart Rate Variability
title_sort test retest reliability and concurrent validity of photoplethysmography finger sensor to collect measures of heart rate variability
topic autonomic nervous system
electrocardiography
heart rate monitor
field-based monitoring
sport science
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/13/2/29
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