Polar
Research
Center

Since creating the world’s first heart rate monitor in 1977, innovative physiological and sports medical research has been at the core of everything we do at Polar.

The Polar Research Center consists of our in-house team of experts from technology, physiology and data science. The center carries out innovative studies in the fields of wearable technology, sports sciences, physical activity and sleep, and our team is actively involved in research collaborations globally.

On this site you can download white papers about Polar innovations, see the list of references to studies using Polar technology and find our guidelines for research collaborations.

The science behind Polar Smart Coaching & technology

The technology and the proprietary Smart Coaching features in Polar products are based upon scientific work and are in accordance with recommendations from the world’s leading sports medicine authorities.

Our mission is to bring the benefits of our research within the reach of every athlete and turn data into actionable guidance. The background of our technology is explained in detail in our white papers.

See white papers

See our Research Library

Polar heart rate monitoring and analyzing technology has been used by numerous researchers in the fields of sports, exercise and health. See our research library to find details of the studies that utilize Polar technology.

Polar users carry numerous patents on their wrists

Polar is not only a pioneer of wearable sports technology, but a constantly active innovator.

Polar product R-R intervals comparable to 12-lead ECG in hypertensive adults

Examining the validity of recording R-R intervals using the Polar V800™ compared to 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECG).

Downloadable RR-intervals from training sessions

Training sessions done with an ECG heart rate sensor now contain a downloadable heart rate variability (HRV) data file.

New Article Adjusts Vagal Tank Model for Sports to Help Prevent Overtraining

Hottenrott et al. (2019) adjusted the “Vagal Tank Model” (Laborde et al., 2018) for application in sports, including the Orthostatic test.

8th HRV Symposium Took Place Online

HRV Symposium 2020, organized virtually this year, brought together almost 300 participants and 22 working groups to discuss the latest research topics on heart rate variability.

Polar Collaborates with Top Universities

Polar’s research collaborators rank high in the 2020 ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments.

Browse news archive

Using Polar products in research

Looking for the right tools for your own research? Get to know our range of products and find the most suitable solution for your project.

See products

Collaborate with Polar Research Center

Are you interested in research collaboration with us? See our research guidelines to find out how we work with our collaborators and submit your research proposal.

See our research guidelines

Meet our partners

Polar is involved in co-operation with a number of research institutions worldwide. Meet some of our research partners.

Canadian Sport Institute Calgary

The Sport Product Testing group at the Canadian Sport Institute Calgary objectively provides meaningful and relevant insights to help companies develop accurate and usable products for their customers. With our thorough understanding of functional performance and consumer perceptions, we offer unbiased third-party product testing for sports, fitness, wellness, and technology companies in all stages of the product development cycle.

Link to website

University of Oulu

The University of Oulu is an international science university, creating innovation for the future, well-being, and knowledge through research and education. With one of the focus areas being lifelong health, the University of Oulu has been birthplace for many health technology companies, including Polar.

Link to website

University of Jyväskylä

The Sports Technology Unit, located in Vuokatti, is part of the University of Jyväskylä's Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences. We specialize in multidisciplinary and applied research and education in the biology of physical activity with special emphasis on sport and wellness technology as well as Nordic skiing sports.

Link to website

Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen SFISM

The SFISM is part of the Swiss Federal Office of Sport FOSPO and affiliated to the Bern University of Applied Sciences. The SFISM conducts research in the fields of performance sport, sports economics, sports education, sports technology, sports facilities, monitoring and evaluation as well as integration and prevention.

Link to website

Santasport, Olympic Training Center Rovaniemi

Santasport is one of the eleven sports institutes in Finland and Olympic Training Center Rovaniemi is one of the six Olympic Training Center in Finland. Together with a diverse network of universities, sports federations and associations, research institutes and other experts, we are able to offer wide level of education in multiple fields of sports and well-being as well as in different sports - the main focus being in winter sports and skills coaching.

Link to website

University of Helsinki

The Sleep & Mind Research Group at the University of Helsinki (Faculty of Medicine) investigates sleep, cognition and emotions by utilizing multidisciplinary approaches, including wearable technology. Our research stretches from large cohort studies to experimental sleep lab work – this way we are able to study sleep-related phenomena as well as exact mechanisms.

Link to website

Olympiatoppen

Olympiatoppen is the Norwegian Olympic Sports Centre and the heart of Norwegian Elite Sport. Olympiatoppen is provider of knowledge, competence and science for Norwegian Elite Sport athletes and National Teams, but also an important meeting place for athletes and coaches from all sports, sharing and learning to develop Norwegian Elite Sport Culture.

Link to website

Polar
Research
Center

The science behind Polar Smart Coaching & technology

See our Research Library