Norton, E., Vehrs, P. R., Ryan, N., & Jackson, A. S. (1997). Palpated vs electronically monitored heart rates in predicting VO2max with submaximal exercise tests. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 29(5), Supplement abstract 275.

Self-palpated exercise pulse rates were compared to simultaneously electronically monitored heart rates at the completion of a 1-mile track walk and a 1-mile track jog. Males (N = 88) and females (M = 86) served as Ss.

Palpated rates were 13 beats per minute (bpm) less than electronic rates following the 1- mile walk and 17 bpm less following the 1-mile jog.

Implication. Individuals must be competent and demonstrate both accuracy and reliability before using self-palpated heart rates to monitor exercise responses. There is a suggestion that the more vigorous the exercise, the lower will be the accuracy of self-palpated heart rates.

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