Polar RS100 Precautions, INTERFERENCE DURING EXERCISE Electromagnetic Interference, Crosstalk

7. PRECAUTIONS

INTERFERENCE DURING EXERCISE

Electromagnetic Interference

Disturbances may occur near high voltage power lines, traffic lights, overhead lines of electric railways, electric bus lines or trams, televisions, car motors, bike computers, some motor driven exercise equipment, cell phones, or when you walk through electric security gates.

Exercise Equipment

Several pieces of exercise equipment with electronic or electrical components such as LED displays, motors, and electrical brakes may cause interfering stray signals. To tackle these problems, try the following:

1.Remove the transmitter from your chest and use the exercise equipment as you would normally.

2.Move the wrist unit around until you find an area in which it displays no stray reading or does not flash the heart symbol. Interference is often worst right in front of the display panel of the equipment, while the left or right side of the display is relatively free of disturbance.

3.Put the transmitter back on your chest and keep the wrist unit in this interference-free area as much as possible.

4.If the running computer still does not work with the exercise equipment, this piece of equipment may be electrically too noisy for wireless heart rate measurement.

Crosstalk

When in non-coded mode the wrist unit picks up transmitter signals within 3 feet/1 meter. Simultaneous non-coded signals from more than one transmitter can cause an incorrect readout.

Using the Polar Running Computer in a Water Environment Your running computer is water resistant and can be worn when swimming. The running computer is not, however, a diving instru- ment. To maintain water resistance, do not press the buttons of the wrist unit under water. When measuring heart rate in water you may experience interference for the following reasons:

•Pool water with high chlorine content and seawater are very conductive. The electrodes of a transmitter may short-circuit, preventing ECG signals from being detected by the transmitter.

•Jumping into water or a strenuous muscle movement during competitive swimming may cause water resistance that shifts the transmitter to a location on the body where it ECG signals cannot be picked up.

•The ECG signal strength depends on the individual, and varies depending on the individual’s tissue composition.

The occurrence of problems when measuring heart rate is considerably higher in water.

Minimizing Possible Risks When Exercising

Exercise may include some risk. Before beginning a regular exercise program, it is recommended that you answer the following questions concerning your health status. If you answer yes to any of these questions, we recommend that you consult a doctor before starting any training program.

•Have you been physically inactive for the past 5 years?

•Do you have high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol?

•Do you have symptoms of any disease?

•Are you taking any blood pressure or heart medication?

•Do you have a history of breathing problems?

•Are you recovering from a serious illness or medical treatment?

•Do you use a pacemaker or another implanted electronic device?

•Do you smoke?

•Are you pregnant?

Note that in addition to exercise intensity, medications for heart, blood pressure, psychological conditions, asthma, breathing etc. as well as some energy drinks, alcohol and nicotine may affect your heart rate.

It is important to be sensitive to your body’s responses during exercise. If you feel unexpected pain or excessive fatigue when exercising, it is recommended that you stop the exercise or continue at a lighter intensity.

Notice to individuals with pacemakers, defibrillators or other implanted electronic devices. Individuals who have a pacemaker use the Polar Running Computer at their own risk. Before starting use, we always recommend a maximal exercise stress test under a doctor’s supervision. The test is to ensure the safety and reliability of the simultaneous use of the pacemaker and the Polar Running Computer.

If you are allergic to any substance that comes into contact with your skin or if you suspect an allergic reaction due to using the product, check the listed materials on page 55. To avoid any skin reaction to the transmitter, wear it over a shirt. However, moisten the shirt well under the electrodes to ensure flawless operation.

The combined impact of moisture and intense abrasion may cause a black color to come off the transmitter’s surface, which might stain light-colored clothes.

50 ENG ENG 51