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For over a decade I’ve been using coronary heart charge on my runs and thus testing out GPS watches, chest straps and extra to search out correct readings. When armband coronary heart charge screens popped on the scene, I used to be curious how correct they may probably be? Let’s dive in to the Polar OH1+ assessment and discover out!
For a few years, we’ve referred to as the chest strap the gold normal for HR monitoring throughout exercise. That is largely as a result of it’s wildly extra correct than an optical wrist based mostly studying. In actual fact, a chest strap is taken into account as much as 99.6% correct when used appropriately, for a non-medical grade system that’s fairly good.
For years I’ve advised you the Polar H9 chest strap is a superb choice to pair with any operating watch. It’s what I nonetheless use as my default for testing watch accuracy!
However now, we’ve got another choice…the armband. So what’s the deal? Is it as correct? Match? Really feel? I’m right here to provide the items.
It’s also possible to skip right down to the Polar OH1 assessment, however I feel this half is necessary!
How Optical HR Screens Work?
Since armband know-how is fairly much like what’s in your wrist, let’s first clarify what it’s after which dive in to the way it could possibly be extra correct in your arm.
Optical coronary heart charge screens function utilizing a know-how referred to as Photoplethysmography (PPG), which has lengthy been utilized in medical settings with finger clips to measure coronary heart charge. These screens work by shining a low-intensity mild by the pores and skin to detect fluctuations in blood move beneath the floor (brought on by contraction), permitting an algorithm to then decide the center charge.
Just a few of the long run points they’ve discovered alongside the wrist is lack of blood move when it will get chilly, points with an excessive amount of bouncing inflicting a change, issues studying on freckled or darker coloration pores and skin.
There are numerous sorts of sensors and algorithms used throughout the completely different manufacturers.
Some use three LEDs, others use two; some rely solely on inexperienced LEDs, whereas others crimson LEDs. Information reveals crimson is extra correct, and why it’s utilized in medical grade, BUT it additionally has much more variations after we begin utilizing it with motion and the sensor bouncing.
One 2019 research confirmed, “The power of the connection declined as train depth elevated for each units. These findings point out that the accuracy of real-time HR monitoring by the Apple Watch and Fitbit Cost HR2 is diminished as train depth will increase.”
So whereas these aren’t Garmin or Polar watches with extra superior operating know-how…it’s very comparable tech with regards to coronary heart charge.
Polar OH1+ Evaluation
The very first thing we’ve got to speak about is how way more snug and armband monitor is than a chest strap. At the very least for most ladies and for anybody coaching in excessive humidity. The quantity of chafing I had in Miami from my monitor…yikes.
Thus far, I’ve worn the Polar armband on a range runs from lengthy roads to trails to hurry exercises with none points as a result of it’s simply sitting on the arm and never shifting round. The one difficulty might probably be if it have been hitting your hydration pack? However I at all times put on a pack and haven’t run in to this.
And to reply your query, it’s now my go to HR monitor whereas operating.
I’ll nonetheless use the H9 or H10 to check accuracy, however that is my each day choice. Even when the chest strap is barely extra correct, merely getting individuals to USE the armband is less complicated and thus a winner.
Arrange is extraordinarily simple and the Polar OH1+ goes to pair with any watch or you possibly can simply use the Polar move app, not only a Polar GPS watch. Proper now, I’ve used it principally with my Garmin 265.
You’ll need to initially pair it with the Polar Move app. I imagine that is principally due to the interior reminiscence accessible. However that course of is a fast couple of steps, no strap licking concerned (my chest strap runners know what I imply!)
Charging entails popping it in to slightly case which you then plug in to an USB charger port. It can flash whereas charging, so you already know when it’s finished.
Polar OH1+ Specs
- One measurement armband
- Bluetooth and ANT+ connections
- 200 hours inner storage
- 12 hour battery life
- Clip included to make use of in your swim goggles
- $59
- Out there right here on Polar.com
Observe there was at one time a Polar OH1 which is completely different than the present mannequin, however I are typically utilizing OH1 interchangeably to reference the OH1+, which is the one accessible choice now.
Points with the Polar OH1+
I can’t say it’s all roses, I’ve two points with the armband:
1. Within the winter, I dress after which understand I didn’t put it on…ugh.
2. Within the winter, I put it on dress, do my heat up after which attempt to push the button to show it on…I can’t inform if I turned it on or not as a result of I can’t see the sunshine by my garments. That is shortly remedied once I activate my GPS to an exercise and it says that it’s related.
3. I don’t flip it on sooner as a result of I do not know how a lot battery is left and I’m not the one that remembers to cost it after each run.
How Correct are Armband HR Screens?
Armband coronary heart charge screens are extra correct than the wrist primarily as a result of the higher arm is a superb location for HR measurement. Not like the wrist, the higher arm usually has extra tissue, which permits for greater high quality readings.
Moreover, the higher arm absorbs vibrations higher than the wrist, which is useful for actions like ohhhh say operating.
Throughout indoor exercises involving hand actions, equivalent to weightlifting, wrist-based screens can battle resulting from pressure, however higher arm screens are not often affected.
Furthermore, optical coronary heart charge straps (OHRM) on the higher arm aren’t susceptible to dryness points that may have an effect on chest straps. You understand how it’s important to moist your chest strap earlier than placing it on…nicely it wants that moisture to proceed studying nicely. As a sweater, that’s by no means been a difficulty for me, however for a few of you.
Chest Strap Vs Armband Coronary heart Charge Monitor
2017 analysis within the Journal of the American Medical Affiliation Cardiology discovered a chest strap had a 99 per cent correlation with an electrocardiograph
And as famous above, there was a 2017 in Journal of Medication and Science in Sport and Train which confirmed a Polar H7 to be in 99.6 per cent correct when examined towards an ECG. Now the Polar H9 and H10 can be found.
Polar OH1 Vs Verity Sense
At about $40 extra the Verity Sense has about 18 hours extra battery life, the flexibility to broadcast at a fair longer vary (excellent for swimming or having your telephone throughout the fitness center) and has storage as much as 600 hours.
This appears most helpful for individuals who don’t have their telephone on them whereas exercising, however nonetheless wish to see all their knowledge later.
Polar vs Coros Armband
There are just a few variations right here, which could assist clarify why I swing extra in the direction of Polar.
- Coros has no energy button to manually flip it on or off
- Coros shouldn’t be ANT+ which limits some connections
- Polar has 6 LEDs and Coros has 4
- Coros Armband is about $20 extra
It’s a great choice and usually on par with readings, so should you like Coros the bands are going to really feel about the identical. Additionally because it activates mechanically when carrying, you received’t neglect to show it on.
All proper, hopefully this helped to provide you a greater concept of how HR armband screens work and my present advice of the Polar OH1+.
