Polar activity monitors are wrist-worn devices that track a student's movement throughout the day using an accelerometer. They provide instant feedback on steps, calories burned, and time spent in different activity zones. For a class of 30 students, it would cost around $3,300 to purchase individual monitors. The monitors can be used to reward students for meeting activity goals in physical education classes or after school. Teachers can also use the data to promote activity breaks if students are not active enough during the school day.

1. By: Melissa Baus
POLAR ACTIVITY MONITORS

2. Looks like a watch
Designed to tell students in a fun way how active they are throughout the day
Have a built in accelerometer
Do not need a chest strap (like the heart rate monitors)
Can take in the water!
Measures activity 24/7 (Even while sleeping)
Instant feedback (Motivation)
Can create long-term activity reports
WHAT ARE ACTIVITY MONITORS?

3. Tracks EVERY movement
Animated figure to display the activity level
Displays steps, calories and time spent on each activity zone
Activity bar displays target time in MVPA
FUNCTIONS AND FEATURES

4. ACTIVITY ZONES

5. For a class size of about 30 it would be ideal to have 30 watches for each
student
These devices costs around $110 a piece
110 X 30 = 3,300
If your school cannot afford enough for each student can look into grants and
funding on POLAR website
http://www.polar.com/us-
en/b2b_products/physical_education/funding_grants
Polar gives a 2 year warranty on devices at no extra cost
Need a computer to be able to go on polar go fit website
Suggestion: Purchase Activity Monitor Management System holds 12 activity
watches
AFFORDABILITY AND
IMPORTANT ACCESSORIES

6. Can use: https://www.polargofit.com/ to record activity and do not need to
buy any extra software!
Easy for students in even the lower elementary school level to understand
Gives instant feedback so very motivating!
Is another form of data collection for students
Another way to teach student about maintaining a healthy lifestyle with
visuals!
STRENGTHS

7. Way to “cheat” to increase activity
Does not measure heart rate
Potential expenses could prevent the whole class from having their own watch
Not many other limitations which is great!
LIMITATIONS

8. Scenario 1:
Have students wear throughout each PE class
Set a goal for how much the activity bar should be filled up each class, each
week, each month, etc.
Reward students who reach goal TRUTHFULLY! (tokens, free play day, etc.)
USE IN A PHYSICAL EDUCATION
SETTING

9. Scenario 2:
Have student sign out activity monitor for a period of time (week, 2 weeks,
month, etc.)
Have them record how much they fill their activity bar daily after school
Watches keep a log for each day!
Reward students who fill up a certain amount of their activity bar daily!
USE IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION
CTD.

10. Scenario 3:
Have students wear the watch entire day and return at end of the day
See how much MVPA they get throughout school day
Can use this data to help promote activity breaks in class, if not receiving
enough activity throughout school day!
USE IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION
SETTING CTD.