Rationale: Heart rate is widely used as an index of intensity when prescribing exercise training for healthy individuals and, especially, cardiac patients. Accurate measurement is critical when using target heart rates to prescribe exercise intensity. Many commercially available heart rate monitors are limited by the need to wear a strap-like device around the chest.
Objectives: In this study of 10 participants in a phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation program and 10 noncardiac rehabilitation participants, we evaluated the accuracy of a heart rate monitor (HRM) that uses blue LED technology to monitor heart rate with a finger rather than a chest-sensor device.
Methodology: Subjects were 20 male and female volunteers (age = 54+/-18 years; males = 11 and females = 9). Subjects exercised for 20 minutes on a treadmill, at a speed and gradient that were individually regulated to achieve a perceived exertion rating of between 11 and 15 (Borg 6-20 scale), while wearing the HRM watch (Seiko-Epson Corporation, Japan) on their wrist and sensor device on their index finger. Heart rates were continually monitored during exercise using the HRM and telemetry electrocardiography (Scott Care, United States). Comparisons were made of heart rates recorded using the HRM and telemetry electrocardiography at 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes of treadmill exercise.
Results: Perceived exertion ratings were 11+/-1, 12+/-1, 13+/-3, and 13+/-1 at 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes of treadmill exercise, respectively. Heart rates were as follows:
Conclusions: The present study documents the high degree of accuracy during treadmill exercise of a novel HRM that does not require the use of a chest device.