This paper is presented to discuss an issue that has been raised pertaining to the ACCURACY of human heart monitor component based EQUINE HEART RATE MONITORS. You may see posts; comments and advertising indicating these monitors may NOT be ACCURATE.
Human heart monitor components have been employed in ALL human to equine HRM adaptations. The first application was in 1983 marketed under the name of The HIPPOCARD. This model was followed in 1985 by the V-MAX. Tom Ivers of Equine Racing Systems and DR G. Mayland of Cornell University developed the V-MAX EHRM. The V-MAX® has been marketed since 1989 by Equine Performance Technology. We have sold over 9000 EHRM systems. We have over 10 Universities and Equine Research centers using the V-MAX.
NOT ONE USER OR
RESEARCHER HAS EVER INDICATED THE V-MAX WAS NOT ACCURATE.
The accuracy of the V-MAX has been questioned without proof.
We GUARANTEE the V-MAX EHRM to be ACCURATE within 1 BPM.
This statement ASSUMES the monitor is properly installed and the electrodes are absolutely stable.
Therein lies the issue with ALL EHRM that are designed to use replaceable, reusable, and MOVABLE electrodes. The HRM must be able to sense the electrical EKG pulse from the surface of the skin. Using movable electrodes CAN and WILL produce MOTION ARTIFACT. This condition causes inaccurate reading due to the elicited movement. The most significant electrode movement occurs at HIGH SPEED/HIGH HEART RATE (GALLOPS). The induced error MAY BE misconstrued as inaccurate readings due to the monitor components or faulty design, when in fact the issue is electrode movement. To insure high-speed high heart rate readings are not in error due to motion, one must provide for securely attached electrodes. The V-MAX electrode system REDUCES this problem.
The MAJOR reason for erratic or incorrect reading is USER ERROR.
The original V-MAX used a foam back stick on electrode. There was NO ERROR due to electrode movement. We went to the New Bolton Clinic Treadmill to certify the V-MAX. The system was certified in a laboratory environment using Hewlett Packard Human EKG/ECG equipment. The V-MAX DID show the SAME heart rate as the HP6500 ECG system. We will admit the LAG TIME or RESPONSE TIME to be slower then the HP6500. The transition lag time was about 10 to 15 seconds. Once the horse was at a fixed speed, the V-MAX gave the SAME reading within ONE BPM. We tested the V-MAX with the stick on electrodes and the silicon rubber reusable electrode. The results were the same. When we installed the electrodes under the ‘saddle’ correctly, insured the electrodes were wet with EKG gel AND the saddle was secure to provide for a firm contact, we found the HR reading to be the same as the HP6500.
The V-MAX is used by Tom Ivers for his research, training, papers and a forth-coming book on conditioning with a HRM. His complete research is based on the V-MAX EHRM. We can provide a complete list of all the professional researchers using the V-MAX on request.
Ask yourself the following questions; Would EPT market the V-MAX EHRM using standard human heart rate monitor components, have sold so many units for these years if there were real ACCURACY problems. Would a University or PhD. researcher base a paper and reputation on a product that was not accurate?
Our challenge is; instead of unfounded statements, PROVE THE V-MAX IS NOT ACCURATE. A third party test facility MUST be employed. The monitor MUST be connected with SECURE electrodes to prevent ANY electrode motion. The test must be performed in a controlled laboratory environment using a treadmill and qualified EKG/ECG equipment. If proof can be presented, then do so; false unsupported claims are not acceptable.
WE WILL BUY BACK YOUR V-MAX EHRM with CERTIFIED EVIDENCE that the HEART RATE noted AT ANY SPEED is INACCURATE.
V-MAX® a name, product and an ethical company you can really TRUST.
MORE INFORMATION about the alleged errors and WHY they occur. HERE