Heart Rate Variability, Omega Wave, and ARP

[no23]

@NumberTwo

Be careful with this product. I’m working closely with physiology profs at my university on testing the validity of Polar and Suunto HRM’s for measuring HRV. They have some concerns, but we expect those devices to pass the validity test when compared with a 3-lead ECG. However, the test protocols are very stringent to get a valid sample, including:

• 6 minute sample duration
• Sample take supine, unless using it as a tilt test

Watching the iPhone app being used after standing up out of bed for only one minute makes me think the results are not accurate. The concept works, but the hardware and the execution seems too simplistic to be reliable.

I test my own HRV every morning using a Suunto T6c over a 6 minute sample without getting out of bed. If I stand up to go take a bathroom break, then test my HRV, the results are spoiled. If my kids run into my bedroom and jump on the bed, the sample is spoiled. The readings are very sensitive and must be recorded regularly and consistently. Within my 6 minute samples, I can find significant variability within 1 minute sub-groupings. So I could see only taking a 1 minute sample to be very misleading.

I would opt for buying the more expensive Suunto or Polar models (which may run at about $300 - $400). But I can guarantee you will get more reliable data.

Agreed
And the Polar approach has been validated in one paper I recall.

The concept is sound. The application is not