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.

Big data reveals secrets of running

A new study combines wearables with mathematical modeling to predict marathon performance.

Sleep data now available via Polar API

The Polar Open AccessLink API now provides access to sleep and nightly recovery data from Nightly Recharge™.

Polar Team Pro can catch you

Polar’s player tracking solution excels in a validation study to estimate the accuracy of movement-related parameters.

Polar Active in E-Clothing Study

The Polar Research Center collaborated with the University of Oulu and VTT Research Center on a study on flexible electrodes.

Polar Heart Rate Sensors Used in Study on Swimmers

Polar H10 and OH1 heart rate sensors were utilized in a study by the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences about maximal heart rate for swimmers.

Polar sport watches excel in distance recordings validation study

The Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen (SFISM) studied the accuracy of the recorded distances obtained by eight GNSS-enabled sport watches, including three Polar watches.

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