How accurate is optical heart rate monitoring? It’s because of the way that these sensors work that they won’t read your heart rate until you get sweaty because they need a conductive medium between the sensor and your skin.Ī common thread across both systems is that they need a good connection to your skin, meaning fitting the device is important for an accurate reading.
This is in contrast to a chest strap, which measures the small electrical impulses given off by your heart as the muscles contract. As bone, soft tissue and blood all absorb light differently, the optical sensor can then determine heart rate based on the changing light refracted by the blood flowing through your veins.
Heart monitor chest strap skin#
Most of the wrist-based options now available use a green low-intensity light that is shone through the skin to determine heart rate. The LifeBEAM and wrist-based sensors are similar to the Photoplethysmography (PPG) finger clips used in hospitals. Originally designed to monitor the vitals of astronauts and pilots, the LifeBEAM uses a sensor placed against your forehead to read heart rate. Optical heart rate sensors are not a new innovation by any means and have been around in the cycling industry for a while in the form of sensors like LifeBEAM.
It’s imperative the sensor maintain constant contact with your skin for an accurate reading Colin Levitch / Immediate Media
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