Validity of Freely Available Mobile Applications for Recording Resting Heart Rate

Daniel J. Peart, Matthew P. Sh

Abstract

This study examined the accuracy of mobile applications that measure heart rate by comparing results to a Polar heart rate monitor. Volunteers had their heart rate measured via four different methods whilst being simultaneously recorded with the Polar monitor; 1) manual (MAN), 2) Tap the Pulse (TAP), 3) Cardiio (CAR), 4) What’s my Heart Rate (WMHR). There were no significant differences between any of the methods and Polar monitor (p ≥ 0.159), with WMHR having the strongest relationship (r2 = 0.918) followed by MAN (r2 = 0.851), CAR (r2 = 0.646) and TAP (r2 = 0.636) respectively.  

Relevant Publications in Annals of Biological Research