Volume 28, Issue 149, July 2024

Prescribing aerobic exercise for patients with wearable devices – a practical approach for healthcare providers

Wiktor Biłat^1♦, Magdalena Woźniak²

¹Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
²Chair and Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolic Diseases, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland

^♦Corresponding Author
Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Most studies use VO2 max as a marker for exercise intensity; however, it is impossible to measure daily. The rising popularity of heart rate monitoring wearable devices could offer a more accessible way of exercise intensity monitoring and prescribing activity by healthcare providers. This paper aims to compare the approach of popular wearable devices to heart rate monitoring and provide a practical guide on using the readings in individualized exercise prescriptions. Previous research: Previous studies investigated wearables for activity prescription and compared the maximum heart rate (MHR) and heart rate reserve (HRR) markers; however, it was not determined which was superior. Methods: We analyzed zones proposed by each manufacturer and compared them with HR ranges cited in research for fat-burning and cardiovascular fitness. Later, we assessed their usefulness for exercise prescriptions. We compared MHR and HRR as indicators of exercise intensity using available research. Results: We found HRR to be a superior indicator of relative exercise intensity because it allows us to consider an estimated fitness level and the patient's age. The paper demonstrates an example of converting zones between manufacturers. Based on the received data, we proposed example prescriptions for patients using wearable activity trackers. Conclusion: Healthcare providers could benefit from using wearable devices in prescribing aerobic exercise for patients when available. While universal MHR-based to HRR-based zone conversion is not feasible, either can be used. However, HRR-based devices should be preferred when available.

Keywords: Heart rate reserve, aerobic exercise, fat reduction, obesity, cardiovascular fitness, smartwatches

Medical Science, 2024, 28, e73ms3381

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v28i149.e73ms3381

Published: 15 July 2024