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Polar Fitness Test in Polar Flow app

The Polar Fitness test can be performed with a compatible Polar hear rate sensor and the Polar Flow app. The following Polar heart rate sensors are supported: H9, H10 and Verity Sense.

To use your sensor with the Polar Flow app, you first need to pair it with the app. If you've set up your sensor with a phone, it has already been paired, otherwise, pair your sensor with the app as follows.

To pair your Polar HR sensor:

  1. H9/H10: Wear the sensor correctly.
    Verity Sense: Turn the sensor on by pressing the button.
  2. Open the Flow app, go to Start > Testing.
  3. Tap the cogwheel settings icon and find your sensor next to Pair text and tap it to pair the sensor.

What is Polar Fitness Test?

The Polar Fitness Test is an easy, safe and quick way to estimate your aerobic (cardiovascular) fitness at rest. It's a simple 5-minute fitness level assessment that gives you an estimate of your maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). The Fitness Test calculation is based on your resting heart rate, heart rate variability and your personal information: gender, age, height, weight, and self-assessment of your physical activity level called the training background. The Polar Fitness Test is developed for use by healthy adults.

Aerobic fitness relates to how well your cardiovascular system works to transport oxygen to your body. The better your aerobic fitness, the stronger and more efficient your heart is. Good aerobic fitness has many health benefits. For example, it helps in decreasing the risk of high blood pressure and your risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. If you want to improve your aerobic fitness it takes, on average, six weeks of regular training to see a noticeable change in your fitness test result. Less fit individuals see progress even more rapidly. The better your aerobic fitness, the smaller the improvements in your result.

Aerobic fitness is best improved by training types that use large muscle groups. Such activities include running, cycling, walking, rowing, swimming, skating, and cross-country skiing. To monitor your progress, start by performing the test a couple of times during the first two weeks in order to get a baseline value, and then repeat the test approximately once a month.

To make sure the test results are reliable, the following basic requirements apply:

  • You can perform the test anywhere - at home, at the office, at a health club - provided the testing environment is peaceful. There should be no disturbing noises (e.g. television, radio, or telephone) and no other people talking to you.
  • Always take the test in the same environment and at the same hour.
  • Avoid eating a heavy meal or smoking 2-3 hours prior to testing.
  • Avoid heavy physical exertion, alcohol, and pharmaceutical stimulants on the test day and the previous day.

You should be relaxed and calm. Lie down and relax for 1-3 minutes before starting the test.

To perform the Fitness test:

  1. H9/H10: Wear the sensor correctly.
    Verity Sense: Wear your Verity Sense snugly on your forearm or upper arm with the armband. Turn the sensor on by pressing the button
  2. Start the test from the Flow app:

    Flow app Fitness test UI   Flow app Fitness test UI

  3. Stay relaxed and limit body movements and communication with other people. It is important to stay as still as possible during the test, as even small movements can interfere with the test and cause it to fail. When the test is completed, the Flow app shows a description of your fitness test result and your estimated VO2max.

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