Comparison of Polar 810 s and an Ambulatory ECG System for RR Interval Measurement During Progressive Exercise

Abstract

Ambulatory heart rate monitors and clinical electrocardiographic (ECG) devices are capable of measuring the length of consecutive cardiac periods (RR intervals). The aim of the study was to assess the agreement between the Polar 810s heart rate monitor (Polar) and the Reynolds digital ambulatory ECG using Pathfinder software version 8.4 (Reynolds v8.4) during cycle ergometry. For this purpose, eight subjects completed incremental cycling exercise that began at 60 W and increased by 30 W each 2-minute period until volitional fatigue. Simultaneous recording of the ECG (Reynolds Pathfinder), RR interval (Polar), and respiratory parameters (Metamax 3B) were undertaken at rest and throughout the exercise period. No significant differences were found in RR intervals measured by Polar and Reynolds v8.4 at any relative intensity. Polar and Reynolds v8.4 displayed strong linear relationships at all relative intensities (r2=0.927 to 0.998). Bland and Altman analyses between Polar and Reynolds v8.4 consistently demonstrated minimal bias in absolute RR interval (<0.10 ms) and the limits of agreement for group differences in RR interval and heart rate were less than +/- 10 ms and +/- 2 beats.min (-1) for all relative intensities, respectively. Power spectral analysis provided similar results for both systems in all bandwidths studied during rest and low intensity exercise. However, significant differences and large relative limits of agreement (>100 % of mean of paired means) were identified in UF at intensities > 40 % VO2max, HF at intensities > 60 % VO2max and LF during exercise at 80-100 % VO2max. These findings demonstrate that RR intervals and heart rate measurements obtained using Polar and Reynolds v8.4 are in good agreement. However, caution should be exercised when interpreting spectral analysis of RR interval data derived from different acquisition systems during physical activity.

Comparison of the Polar S810i monitor and the ECG for the analysis of heart rate variability in the time and frequency domains

“…In order to facilitate HRV analysis, a wide variety of equipment and software programs have been developed, such as PowerLab (ADInstruments, Australia) (3) and the Reynolds Pathfinder program (Reynolds Medical Limited, United Kingdom) (10), which measure HRV by means of an ECG signal. However, they present disadvantages such as difficulty of access and high cost.…”

Polar S810 como recurso alternativo ao eletrocardiograma no teste de exercício de 4 segundos

“…Se debe resaltar que, en el presente estudio, se utilizó el registro de los intervalos RR en el transiente inicial de ejercicio con inicio repentino. A pesar de ello, se encuentran valores semejantes a los reportados por Kingsley et al 17 y Gamelin et al 21 , que estudiaron la validad del MFC en ejercicio progresivo y en reposo. Los límites de concordancia aquí encontrados fueron menores que los reportados en los estudios ya citados, tal vez porque, en este estudio, se utilizaron en la comparación solamente los intervalos RR usados en la identificación del IVC y no las series completas (> 5 min), usualmente utilizadas.…”

“…Así, Nunan et al 16 encontraron una fuerte correlación cuando compararon el registro y la edición de los intervalos RR entre el ECG convencional y el MFC Polar S810 en condición de reposo, comprobando así la capacidad y aplicabilidad de este instrumento en la adquisición de estos datos. Finalmente, relacionando la validad de estos registros en momentos y maniobras distintos, Kingsley et al 17 no constataron diferencias significativas entre las mediciones del MFC Polar S810 y el ECG para todas las intensidades de ejercicio probadas.…”

Evolving protocols for research in equitation science

“…With the fast improving technologies, it is expected that these devices will improve considerably in the next few years. Polar™ equipment is, according to validating studies in humans (e.g., Macfarlane et al, 1989;Thivierge and Leger, 1989;Kingsley et al, 2005;Gamelin et al, 2006), among the most accurate available on the market. Significant problems with some Polar heart rate monitors have been reported (see Gorecka-Bruzda et al, 2012;Suwala et al, 2012), so it is suggested that each device should at least be cross-validated against a second device.…”