PASCO PS-2129 User Manual

Heart Rate Quick Start

CARD 1A

PS-2129

Exercise Heart Rate Sensor

transmitter belt

sensor

Sensor Specifications:

Heart rate range:

Transmitter range:

Resolution:

Accuracy:

Default sample rate:

Max. sample rate*:

Averaging interval*:

*The Exercise Heart Rate Sensor averages the heart rate in

5-second intervals. Changing the sampling rate of this sensor is
not recommended. For a beat-by-beat display, use a PS-2111
EKG Sensor.

40 to 240 beats per minute

approximately 1 meter

1 beat per minute

1 beat per minute

1 sample every 5 seconds

5 samples per second

5 seconds

The PS-2129 Exercise Heart Rate Sensor uses a chest transmitter and sensor
(receiver) to measure heart rates between 40 and 240 beats per minute.

Additional Equipment Needed

™

• PASPORT
Xplorer (PS-2000), etc.)

• EZscreen or DataStudio

interface (USB Link (PS-2100) with USB-compatible computer,

®

software (version 1.7 or later)

Equipment Setup

1. Connect the USB Link to a USB port on your computer or to a USB hub. (If using
an Xplorer with a computer in the classroom, connect the Xplorer cable to the USB
port on your computer.)

2. Wrap the transmitter belt around your chest. (Follow the instructions on card 2A.)

3. Connect the sensor to the PASPORT interface (USB Link, Xplorer, etc.).

4. The software launches when it detects a PASPORT sensor. Select a choice from
the PASPORTAL window.

1

2

4

3

®

800-772-8700 • 916-786-3800 • [e-mail] • www.pasco.com

Heart Rate Changes During and After 14 Minutes
of Exercise at a Constant Intensity and Workload

DataStudio/DS Lite Tasks:

Record the heart rate:

View the heart rate (bpm):

Scale to fit the data:

Retrieve Xplorer data into

DataStudio:

On the main toolbar, click the Start ( )
button.

From the Data list, drag the Heart Rate icon to
an open display.

Click the Scale-to-Fit ( ) button.

Connect the Xplorer cable to Xplorer and to a
USB port on your computer. When the com­puter prompts you, click Retrieve Now
().

012-08290A

CARD 1B

Heart Rate Activity

1. With the transmitter belt on, connect the Exercise Heart Rate Sensor to a USB
Link or Xplorer. (For belt placement instructions, see card 2A.)

2. Use Table 1 below to estimate your target exercise training range.

3. Place the Exercise Heart Rate Sensor in your hand or on a table. (For sensor
placement options, see card 2A.)

4. Sit in a chair. In DataStudio or Xplorer, click the Start button and record your
resting heart rate for 30 seconds.

5. Stand up. In the display, watch your heart rate change.

6. Run in place for 3 to 5 minutes. Continue to collect data and try to stay within
your estimated heart rate range.

7. Stop running. In the display, watch your heart rate recover for 5 - 10 minutes.
Click the Stop button.

8. From the Graph display, record and compare your resting heart rate, maximum
heart rate, and recovery (1, 2, and 3 minutes post-exercise) heart rates.

Table 1: Recommended Exercise Training Heart Rate Levels

Age

15
20
25
30

1

Ranges are based on the American College of Sports Medicine
recommendations for healthy individuals. Ranges may vary for those with
medical conditions.

Maximum
Heart Rate

205 123‘ 185

200 120 180

195 117 176

190 114 171

Minimum Training
Threshold

*

Maximum Training

**

Threshold

*Maximum estimated heart rate is calculated from 220 - age (yrs).

**Minimum training theshold is equal to 60% of the maximum heart rate (bpm).

***Maximum training threshold is equal to 90% of the maximum heart rate (bpm).

1

***

Wearing the Transmitter Belt

The Polar® Transmitter Belt wraps around your chest and transmits the
electrical signal from your heart beat to the Heart Rate Sensor.

fitting belt is essential to the sensor detecting an accurate pulse reading

To collect data with the Exercise Heart Rate Sensor, you must use the
transmitter belt in one of the ways described below.

a) Before using the belt, moisten
the electrodes on the underside
of the transmitter belt (Figure 1)
with water or a mild salt solution.
b) Hook one end of the
transmitter belt to the elastic strap and wrap around the upper part of your
rib cage (Figure 2).
(Note: For best accuracy, wear the belt so
that the electrode makes direct skin
contact.) c) Hook the other end of the belt
to the strap. d) Adjust the elastic strap
until the belt fits snugly around your chest.
If the belt restricts breathing, loosen the strap.

Figure 1

electrodes

transmitter
belt

Figure 2

(A proper

Other Belt Placement Options

a) Hold the belt with both
hands, such that the
upper palm of each
hand touches each
electrode. (With this
placement, the data quality may vary over a wide range.) b) To use around
the chest over the top of a t-shirt or tank top (in the upper rib cage area),
wrap the belt, then wet the shirt beneath the electrodes.

Polar® is a registered trademark of Polar Electro Oy.

Figure 3

CARD 2A

Sensor Placement Options

The Exercise Heart Rate Sensor operates like a receiver, picking up signal transmission from
the transmitter belt. To optimize signal reception, keep the sensor in a vertical orientation on the

.)

front of the body and within 1 meter of the transmitter belt (See “Sensor Usage Tips” on Card
2B). Keep the sensor away from computers and electrical devices. You can place the sensor in
any of the following positions (a-d below):

a) Hold in hand: Connect the sensor plug to an

Xplorer or PASPORT Extension Cable and hold

in one hand.

b) Put in a case strapped to the body: Place the

Exercise Heart Rate Sensor, Xplorer, and
Xplorer Cable inside the Xplorer Carrying Case
(PS-2099). Loop the Xplorer strap (or a waist
belt for a more snug fit) through the case. Move
the case to the front or side of the hip or waist.
Using the PASPORT Extension Cable (514-

07281), connect the sensor to the Xplorer.

c) Attach to upper arm: Place the sensor on the

left upper arm (in a vertical orientation) and hold in place with a strap, the Xplorer lanyard, or
rubberbands. Using the PASPORT Extension Cable, connect the sensor to Xplorer or a
USB Link. If using an Xplorer, place the Xplorer in a backpack or case strapped to the body.

d) Place on a table/desk: Place the sensor on a non-conductive surface, such as a wood table.

< 1 meter

Figure 4

Collecting Data

1) With the transmitter belt on, plug the Exercise Heart Rate Sensor into a PASPORT interface
(Xplorer, USB Link, etc.).

2) In DataStudio or EZscreen, click the Start button to begin collecting data. (If using an
Xplorer, wait for the heart rate to appear in the liquid display screen before pressing the Start

button.)

Note: The light on the Exercise Heart Rate Sensor will begin flashing at the pulse rate; this
indicates adequate signal reception.

Transmitter Belt Maintenance

• The Polar® Transmitter Belt can be washed with a mild soap solution.
Always wash and dry the belt after each use. Salt that remains on the belt
for extended periods can cause an electrical short in the transmitter and
reduce battery life.

• The Transmitter Belt contains a non-rechargeable battery and will last for
approximately 2500 hours of wear or use. The battery is not
replaceable. When the battery ceases to operate, you must purchase a
new Transmitter Belt (PS-2512).

Tips for Using the Exercise Heart
Rate Sensor

• Always keep the sensor within one meter (3 feet) of the transmitter belt,
upright, and in a vertical orientation relative to the belt.

sensor in a horizontal or tilted orientation or on the back side of the chest.

The sensor operates best close to the belt.

• Place the sensor on a non-conductive (non-metal) surface, and away from

electrical interferences. (See “Signal Loss and Interferences” on this card.)
Do not place the sensor on metal or the ground. When you turn on the
sensor, the first few data points may be erratic as the sensor locks onto the
transmitter signal. Prior to data collection, conduct a test run to see how
much interference is present in the area.

®

800-772-8700 • 916-786-3800 • [e-mail] • www.pasco.com

Avoid placing the

Signal Loss and Electrical Interferences

CAUTION: Do not place the sensor or transmitter belt around or on metal
objects, next to computer consoles, on the ground or near electrical devices,
magnets, power lines, television set, or other items emitting electromagnetic
interferences. Also, do not wear the belt or sensor for underwater activities. Using
the sensor or belt around metal or electrical devices may interfere with
measurement accuracy. Immersing the sensor in water may permanently damage
the sensor.

CAUTION: Excessive sensor or belt movement will affect measurement
accuracy. Erratic measurements, or large reading fluctuations, such as a drop to 0
bpm or sudden increase to 240 bpm, indicate signal loss. If signal loss occurs, rewet
the electrodes, check electrode contact (and/or tighten the belt), and move the
sensor closer to the transmitter. The most common causes of signal loss are belt
movement, inadequate electrode contact, improper sensor orientation, or too large a
distance between the transmitter and receiver.

Experiment Suggestions

• Heart rate, respiration, and skin temperature during exercise

• Effect of exercise training on resting and exercise heart rate (long-term studies)

• Comparison of exercise heart rate for various forms of exercise (aerobic vs.
anaerobic, high resistance vs. high repetition weight training)

• Exercise recovery rates (trained vs. untrained individuals)

• Exercise heart rate and maximum oxygen uptake

• Exercise heart rate in healthy and diseased populations

CARD 2B

012-08290A