Heart rate monitors are one of the most popular fitness tools used to improve health and fitness, but how do heart rate monitors work exactly? They are used for many activities and are used by athletes from various disciplines. Cycling, football, basketball, cricket and hockey are some of the major sports that utilize this technology.
They are not necessarily used by sportsmen. People who are observant of their health or those that have pre-existing conditions can use them. They vary in price ranging from $20 to $150 all depending on the model.
In this guide, how the monitors are used will be addressed and how your training may improve with the use of the monitors.
Heart rate monitor
A heart rate monitor is a device that displays your heart rate in real-time, or it can record your heart rate for later examination. It is used to gather dater while performing exercises.
The data gathered is used to deliver a diagnosis to a patient. There are two types of heart rate monitors used by sports personalities: electrical and optical.
Electrical heart rate monitor
An electrical heart rate monitor uses electrical signals from your blood to measure your heart rate. The term used by doctors is ECG. ECG stands for electrocardiogram, so if you hear any of the above, do not be alarmed.
How an electrical monitor works
The electrical activity of your heart determines the health of your heart. A heartbeat is triggered by a signal that starts from the top and travels to the bottom of your heart.
The defibrillator will send an electrical current through your heart when your heart is not beating. The electrical charge the heart responds to is why a defibrillator is used on patients to jumpstart the heart. The monitor is particularly useful for people who have heart problems.
Optical heart rate monitor
The optical heart rate monitor uses a different method to measure your heart rate. The method used is photoplethysmography (PPG). This method uses light to track your heartbeat. The light shines onto the skin and measures the amount of light scattered by blood flow.
How an optical monitor works
The blood pumping in your body flows predictably. The light entering the body from the monitor will scatter predictably. Your monitor will know how your blood flows when exercising and when you are resting. This record is useful when detecting your heart’s rhythm, especially while working out.
The optical monitor uses four crucial parts to measure your heart rate, the optical emitter, the DSP, the accelerometer and algorithms.
The emitter sends the light waves into the skin. The emitters are different because every user has a different skin tone, skin thickness and structure.
The DSP, the digital signal processor, is tasked with capturing the refracted light particles and translating the information into heart rate data.
The accelerometer is a motion sensor. This part of the monitor is very useful when you are doing physical activities.
The algorithms interpret the data from the DSP and the accelerometer to determine heart rate data. It determines the data when you are in a relaxed state or when you are working out. The algorithms are very useful for those who analyze their physical activities. They measure the maximum amount of oxygen you can use when working out, the calories burnt, blood oxygen levels and heart variability.
Why you need to monitor heart rate
Monitoring your heart rate is very important. This information will help you determine if you are mentally or physically fit. The mental and physical fitness of a person will affect their heart rate both positively and negatively.
Your mental fitness may deteriorate due to stress, lack of nutrition, lack of sleep and lack of exercise. All these will affect your heart rate. You must monitor your heart rate so that you can stop the decline of your health.
When monitoring your heart rate during physical exercises, you need to know the range it beats. This information will help you know when something is not right. It is good to detect the undetectable. Inactivity is one thing that can go undetected if you do not monitor your heart rate.
You may need your monitor to notify you if you go above or below your limit during your workout sessions. The information will allow you to increase or decrease your training.
You will also save time from checking your pulse each time you are exercising.
Accuracy of heart rate monitors
The question on the accuracy of heart rate monitors goes through every consumer before purchasing them. It has been established that electrical monitors are more accurate than optical monitors.
Monitors wrapped on the chest have higher accuracy than those wrapped on the wrists. The ones used on the wrists are relatively cheaper and convenient for those who monitor their heart rate.
Studies have shown that accuracy differs when the subject is at rest and when doing exercises. The monitors are more accurate when at rest than when your body is engaged.
The optical monitor’s accuracy depends on light hitting the sensors. The inaccuracy comes about when you move your arms and wrists frequently.
The electrical monitor has more accuracy because of the direct contact with the skin. There are; however, two types of electrical monitors, the EKG machine and the chest wrapped monitor. The chest wrapped monitor has a transmitter wrapped around the waist.
Choosing a heart rate monitor
Choosing the monitor of your choice depends on two factors, accuracy and convenience. While engaging in sporting activity, it is recommended that you use monitors. In competitive sports like cycling, you should use a chest monitor because it’s more convenient. It would save you a lot from checking your watch while cycling.
Wrist heart monitors are convenient when monitoring your heart rate while you are asleep. It wouldn’t be comfortable wearing a chest monitor when you are sleeping.
Heart rate monitors also vary in quality because of their prices. It all depends on what you need and afford at the time. The more expensive models have more functions than the cheaper models.
Final Thoughts
The heart is arguably the most important part of your body. Taking steps to take care of this organ should be your priority. There is technology in place to do just that. These heart monitors provide the perfect platform to care for your health. They may not be 100% accurate but having them may be more beneficial than not having them. Try one out and make your workout experience easier.
Christian Scott is the founder and director of MindBodyFit, a website dedicated to providing the latest information on fitness, health, and mental well-being technology. With over six years of experience in the health and fitness industry, Christian is a passionate fitness enthusiast who combines his love for technology and wellness to help others achieve their best selves.
