Healthcare Technology Featured Article

September 16, 2010

Healthcare Technology and News: Polar Introduces New Physical Activity Monitor for Students


Officials with Polar recently unveiled their new activity monitor. Students will now be able to measure and record their physical activity level with this easy-to-use training computer. Teachers, parents and students can also monitor and track student activity with the help of the online service, PolarGoFit.com.

At least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity should be carried out by children each day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A continuous 24/7 measurement of daily activities is provided by Polar Active. These include calories burned and active steps. The time spent in each activity zone is also measured.

In a release, Jeff Padovan, President of Polar USA said, "Childhood obesity has tripled in the United States over the past thirty years, and today one in three children are considered overweight or obese. Polar is committed to reversing this epidemic and helping our nation's students become more active and maintain a healthy weight."

A wrist unit has to be worn by the students. Their daily activity is measured by a built-in accelerometer present in the wrist unit, which automatically tracks the activity level of the students once they start moving. The Polar Active is always "on" due to its easy start function. Younger students can therefore measure the activity easily. Movement in various kinds of activities is tracked by Polar Active. These include running, swimming, jump rope, basketball, and softball.

An easy-to-read visual is provided to the students in the form of a built-in activity bar. Exercise target and time achieved in the moderate to vigorous zones is shown on this activity bar. Students can meet PE objectives with the help of this information. Students can accurately track the quantity and quality of daily activity with a fun, animated figure.

In a release, Padovan added, "Polar Active will forever change the ways teachers educate and students learn PE. With the activity monitor, students exercise based on their individual fitness level, so it shifts the focus from athletic ability to personal improvement, which is key to developing positive lifelong habits around exercise."

Polar is the top company in heart rate monitoring and fitness assessment technologies. Further information is available at www.polarusa.com.


Calvin Azuri is a contributing editor for HealthTechZone. To read more of Calvin’s articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Beecher Tuttle
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