How Mode of Exercise Affects Accuracy of BodyBugg and PolarHR Monitor Estimates of Caloric Expenditure

Determine the validity of these devices compared to direct measures of VO2. A secondary purpose was to determine if two different modes of exercise would affect the accuracy of these two devices: treadmill and rowing exercise. Twelve men and twelve women ages 18-60 years were recruited. This study was approved by the IRB of Southern Utah University. Participants completed informed consents and health histories to ensure they were apparently healthy. Prior to exercise, participants were fitted with a BodyBugg, a HR monitor and a face mask to collect expired gases. All participants performed 24 minutes of submaximal (60%-70% max HR) treadmill exercise. BodyBugg overestimated caloric expenditure during treadmill exercise by 1.4 kCals/min (+ or -1.6) for men and 0.6 kCals/min (+ or -0.8) for women (p