Validity of the Polar Vantage M watch when measuring heart rate at different exercise intensities

The use of wrist worn wearable fitness trackers has been growing rapidly over the last decade. The growing popularity can be partly attributed to the improvements in technology, making activity trackers more affordable, comfortable and convenient for use in different fitness and environmental applications. Fitness trackers typically monitor activity level, track steps, distance, heart rate (HR), sleep, peripheral capillary oxygen saturation and more, as the technology continuously is advancing. In terms of measuring HR, photoplethysmography (PPG) is a relatively new technology utilised in wearables. PPG estimates HR through an optical technique that monitors changes in blood volume beneath the skin. With these new products becoming available it is important that the validity of these devices be evaluated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the validity of the Polar Vantage M (PVM) watch to measure HR compared to medical grade ECG on a healthy population during a range of treadmill exercise intensities.