Key result
The Polar OH1 optical heart rate sensor is a valid tool for monitoring heart rate during swimming (limits of agreement -26.9 to 24.7 bpm vs H10), whereas the wrist-worn Polar M600 is less accurate.
Why the study?
The study was conducted to evaluate the validity of the Polar OH1 optical heart rate sensor and the wrist-worn Polar M600 device during swimming.
Do the Polar OH1 and M600 optical heart rate sensors accurately measure heart rate compared to the Polar H10 chest strap in competitive swimmers?
Observational (n=26)
Do the Polar OH1 and M600 optical heart rate sensors accurately measure heart rate compared to the Polar H10 chest strap in competitive swimmers?
Effect estimate: Limits of agreement: -26.9 to 24.7 bpm for OH1 vs H10; -53.0 to 33.9 bpm for M600 vs H10
p-value: p=< 0.05
The Polar OH1 optical heart rate sensor worn at the temple provides valid heart rate monitoring during swimming, while the wrist-worn Polar M600 is less accurate.
May support OH1 for HR monitoring in swimmers; leaves open validation in broader populations and settings.
PURPOSE: The Polar OH1 is an optical heart rate (HR) sensor which can be used on different parts of the body. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the validity of the OH1 as well as a wrist worn heart rate device (Polar M600) during swimming. METHODS: Twenty-six well-trained competitive swimmers performed a regular training session including different swimming intensities. During the training the swimmers wore a H10 HR sensor with Polar Pro strap (H10) underneath the swim suit, a Polar OH1 optical HR sensor (OH1) underneath the swimming cap at the temple, and a sports watch with optical HR sensor, Polar M600 smart watch (M600) on the wrist. RESULTS: No difference in HRmax, HRmean and HRmin between H10 and OH1 were evident. The HRmax and HRmean obtained by the M600 was significantly lower than the obtained by H10 and OH1 (p < 0.05). The ICC showed mostly excellent agreements between H10 and OH1 and poor to good agreements between H10 and M600. Bland-Altmann plot for M600 vs. H10 indicates upper and lower limits of agreement of -53.0 to 33.9 beats per minute. For OH1 vs. H10 the upper and lower limits of agreement were -26.9 to 24.7 beats per minute. CONCLUSION: The Polar OH1 optical HR sensor is a valid tool to monitor HR of different intensities during swimming whereas the Polar M600 smart watch as a wrist worn device is less accurate.
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Olstad et al. (2020) conducted an observational in Healthy competitive swimmers (n=26). Polar OH1 and Polar M600 optical heart rate sensors vs. H10 HR sensor with Polar Pro strap was evaluated on Heart rate measurement validity (HRmax, HRmean, HRmin and limits of agreement) (Limits of agreement: -26.9 to 24.7 bpm for OH1 vs H10; -53.0 to 33.9 bpm for M600 vs H10, p=< 0.05). The Polar OH1 optical heart rate sensor is a valid tool for monitoring heart rate during swimming (limits of agreement -26.9 to 24.7 bpm vs H10), whereas the wrist-worn Polar M600 is less accurate.
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