Wearable Devices Suitable for Monitoring Twenty Four Hour Heart Rate Variability in Military Populations.

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Wearable Technology
• Autonomic Nervous System Function

Background:

• Heart rate variability (HRV) reflects autonomic nervous system balance.
• High HRV is generally advantageous, while low HRV may indicate issues like fatigue or overtraining.
• A growing number of wearable devices claim to measure HRV, but few offer continuous, precise measurements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a narrative literature review to identify wearable devices capable of continuous and precise HRV measurement.
• To evaluate the suitability of these devices for field use in military populations.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review of existing literature on wearable HRV measurement devices.
• Comparison of device accuracy against criterion measures, including during exercise.
• Assessment of suitability for military field settings.

Main Results:

• The Polar H10 emerged as the most accurate wearable device for HRV measurement, surpassing traditional methods during exercise.
• Few wearable devices offer continuous HRV monitoring (≥24 hours).
• The Polar H10 requires pairing with a watch for raw data extraction, avoiding app usage for data security or ownership, but incurs extra cost.

Conclusions:

• The Polar H10 is a highly accurate wearable for continuous HRV monitoring.
• Its accuracy and potential for raw data extraction make it suitable for military field applications.
• Users should consider the additional cost and equipment needed for data extraction without relying on manufacturer apps.