The History of Heart Rate Monitors

Heart rate monitors should not be confused with the clinical device used by medical professionals. Personal heart rate monitoring devices are more convenient, less bulky, and lightweight, allowing for outdoor usage.

Many individuals use heart rate monitors to determine the efficiency of their training. During the mid-1970s, the first concept about the heart rate monitor was conceived by a Finnish professor Seppo Säynäjäkangas, who thought of a way to accurately record heart rates of the Finnish National Cross Country Ski team during training. By the year 1977, professor Säynäjäkangas worked on the idea and developed the gadget giving birth to Polar Electro that became a leading brand in heart monitoring equipment.

Older models comprise of electrodes fastened to a person’s chest and connected to a battery-operated monitoring box, and later, a plastic chest strap transmits unique wireless signals to the receiver in the form of watches.

Over the years, a number of companies began manufacturing heart rate monitors, evolving the simple device that detects heartbeats and incorporating features such as calorie expenditure and fitness exercise diary. Some models detect breathing rate and vital signs related to an individual’s cardiovascular fitness. Detailed information may also be downloaded to a computer to keep track of your data. The 21^st century marked the introduction of heart rate monitors for runners that include a foot accessory that track speed and distance. Newer generations have fabric heart sensors. For women, specialized sports bra uses this technology eliminating the need for chest straps.

Since its development, heart rate monitoring changed the way sports enthusiasts train. With the heart rate monitor, athletes can ascertain that they do not over or undertrain. Furthermore, given its many capabilities, modern heart rate monitors are a convenient means to help detect early signs of cardiovascular disease.