Validity of the Polar H10 for Continuous Measures of Heart Rate and Heart Rate Synchrony Analysis
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Heart rate (HR), a non-invasive indicator of physiological arousal and autonomic nervous system engagement, is widely used in cognitive and affective sciences to monitor individual responses and interpersonal synchrony in dynamic emotional and social contexts. Recent advances in wearable sensors have enabled researchers to assess HR synchrony in ecologically valid settings. In this study, we replicate prior validations of the Polar H10 chest strap for individual HR measurement and extend these findings by evaluating its validity for measuring HR synchrony between individuals. Dyads completed a previously validated experimental task designed to elicit HR fluctuations while jointly attending to emotionally evocative, 5-minute audiovisual stimuli. First, we observed strong agreement between the Polar H10 and a gold-standard ECG system in measuring individuals’ HR, both at the aggregate and moment-to-moment levels, thus confirming and extending prior findings. Second, we found high correspondence between the two systems in quantifying dyadic HR synchrony using multiple analytical approaches. These results support the use of the Polar H10 as a low-cost, easy-to-use, and reliable tool for both individual and dyadic HR measurement, particularly in real-world or mobile settings where traditional ECG systems are impractical.
Source: Sensors
DOI: 10.3390/s26030855
Language: English
Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W7125962133