Reliability of the Polar Vantage M Sports Watch when Measuring Heart Rate at Different Treadmill Exercise Intensities

Abstract

Background: Usage of wrist-worn activity monitors has rapidly increased in recent years, and these devices are being used by both fitness enthusiasts and in clinical populations. We, therefore, assessed the test–retest reliability of the Polar Vantage M (PVM) watch when measuring heart rate (HR) during various treadmill exercise intensities. Methods: HR was measured every 30 s (simultaneous electrocardiography (ECG) and PVM). Test–retest reliability was determined using an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Standard error of measurement (SEM) and smallest real difference (SRD) were used to determine measurement variability. Results: A total of 29 participants completed the trials. ICC values for PVM during stages 1, 2 and 5 demonstrated good to excellent test–retest reliability (0.78, 0.78 and 0.92; 95% CI (0.54–0.90, 0.54–0.9, 0.79–0.97)). For PVM during stages 0 (rest), 3 and 4, the ICC values indicated poor to good reliability (0.42, 0.68 and 0.58; 95% CI (−0.27–0.73, 0.32–0.85, 0.14–0.80)). Conclusion: This study identified that the test–retest reliability of the PVM was comparable at low and high exercise intensities; however, it revealed a poor to good test–retest reliability at moderate intensities. The PVM should not be used in a clinical setting where monitoring of an accurate HR is crucial to the patients’ safety.

Validity, Reliability and Sensitivity to Change of Three Consumer-Grade Activity Trackers in Controlled and Free-Living Conditions among Older Adults

“…To the best of our knowledge, this was the first study to examine the validity of the Polar Vantage M, Garmin Vivoactive 4s and Garmin Vivosport when worn by older adults. Previous studies explored the validity of energy expenditure [ 31 , 32 ] and HR [ 32 ], as well as test-retest reliability [ 33 ] for Polar Vantage M under controlled laboratory conditions, while including young healthy adults only. When measuring energy expenditure, the results revealed mixed findings; Gilgen-Ammann et al reported high accuracy for sedentary activity (MAPE = 1.2%) and walking (MAPE = 9.0%), and somewhat compromised accuracy for several types of physical activities tested (MAPE = 11.8% to 27.5%), while Düking et al reported a very large standardized typical error of the estimate for sitting and walking (sTEE = 1.33 and 1.10, respectively), a large error for vigorous running (sTEE = 0.97–0.65) and a moderate error (sTEE = 0.34–0.32) for very vigorous running.…”

A Bio-Psycho-Social Co-created Intervention for Young Adults With Multiple Sclerosis (ESPRIMO): Rationale and Study Protocol for a Feasibility Study

“…In addition, the Polar Vantage M will evaluate other physical parameters [e.g., number of steps/day, kilometers traveled/day, number of active hours/day, number of inactive hours/day, number of hours of sleep/day, heart rate (HR), heart rate variability, and estimated kilocalories consumed/day]: the rationale behind this evaluation is to measure all these objective parameters which will support us in measuring the effects of the PA intervention on MS patients’ well-being and HrQoL. The reliability of the Polar Vantage M smartwatch has been reported for measurements of physical activity and HR at different treadmill exercise intensities ( Climstein et al, 2020 ). Moreover, a recent study measuring the physical activity and HR of preschoolers demonstrated the validity and social acceptability of the Polar Vantage XL smartwatch, which is very similar to the Polar Vantage M model ( Bar-Or et al, 2020 ).…”

Decisions and reasonings of top-class handball referees under physical load

“…due to specific training programs. Monitoring tools like sports watches could support referees in their individual training (Climstein et al, 2020). Based on the study by da Silva et al (2010) in which an estimated maximal oxygen consumption of 49.5 l/min was determined for referees during real handball matches, a first recommendation of a minimum requirement for a handball referees' endurance capacity appears to be the YYT-level 17.4 (Bangsbo et al, 2008).…”