The app offers two versatile measurement modes for heart rate variability (HRV) assessments. Readiness Measurement provides accurate HRV-based assessments of physiological stress and recovery, while Custom Measurement is ideal for diverse HRV recordings, tailored to researchers and professionals. Begin exploring your HRV data by taking a readiness measurement with just your smartphone (beta feature), or pair the app with a Bluetooth HR sensor for enhanced accuracy.
Readiness Measurement Mode
Designed for athletes and individuals tracking recovery and readiness. Readiness can now be measured easily using just a smartphone, making daily tracking more convenient than ever. Coaches can use the Kubios HRV Team Readiness to monitor the readiness and recovery of their athletes or clients, ensuring optimal performance and well-being. Highlights include:
- Personalized Readiness index to optimize training and manage stress
- Physiological age reflecting overall health and well-being
- Accurate noise detection and beat correction
- Detailed HRV analysis trusted by researchers worldwide
Unlock the power of HRV measurement with the Kubios HRV app!
Custom Measurement Mode
Ideal for researchers and professionals conducting various HRV recordings. A Kubios HRV Scientific license is required to store and access custom measurement data. Highlights include:
- Polar H10: Real-time streaming of RR, ECG, and ACC data; offline RR data measurements
- Polar Verity Sense: Real-time streaming of PPI, PPG, and ACC data; offline PPI or PPG data measurements
- Suitable for both lab-based and field research
- Subject management and event markers for precise data collection
Note: For long-term recordings, use of Android devices or offline measurement mode is recommended.
Supported Sensors
Readiness measurements can be performed conveniently using your smartphone’s accelerometer. For the highest level of accuracy, an ECG-based chest strap sensor like the Polar H10 is the recommended choice.
For Custom Measurements, which require an external sensor, both the Polar H10 and the optical Polar Verity Sense are ideal. They offer advanced data streaming capabilities (ECG, PPG, and ACC) enabled by our Polar SDK integration.
Explore other compatible sensors and troubleshooting tips in our FAQ.
Kubios HRV App screenshots
Readiness index on home screen
Ongoing readiness measurement
Readiness measurement results
Readiness trends
Custom measurement settings (for Polar H10)
Ongoing custom measurement (Polar H10 ECG)
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
What is the Kubios HRV app and who is it for?
The Kubios HRV app is a mobile application that measures your heart rate variability (HRV) to provide insights into your daily readiness, stress levels, and recovery. It uses scientifically validated algorithms, trusted by researchers and professionals worldwide. It’s designed for:
- Individuals: The Readiness Measurement Mode can be used by anyone interested in monitoring their wellbeing, stress, recovery, and cardiovascular health.
- Athletes & Sports Enthusiasts: Can use the Readiness Measurement Mode to optimize training and monitor physiological recovery.
- Researchers, Health & Wellbeing Professionals, and Sport Scientists: For conducting various types of HRV recordings using the Custom Measurement Mode (which may require a separate Kubios HRV software license for full data storage and analysis features).
How do I take a readiness measurement?
To ensure reliable readiness data, consistency is key. We recommend the following steps:
- Follow the in-app instructions to begin the measurement with your smartphone’s accelerometer. Please note this is a Beta feature and its accuracy is still under validation. If you are using an optional heart rate sensor for higher accuracy, wear it and connect it to the app first.
- Use a consistent position (reclined or semi-reclined) at a regular time, preferably in the morning upon waking before consuming caffeine or engaging in strenuous activity.
- Start the measurement. The measurement includes up to 60-seconds relaxation period.
- During the measurement, relax and breathe naturally (avoid talking). The app will notify you when the measurement is done. In case you are taking the measurement with your smartphone’s accelerometer, remain completely still during the measurement.
- After the measurement, verify that the quality is good. If not, consider repeating it. If you are using a chest strap sensor, you may need to moisten the electrodes first to ensure a good connection.
How does the smartphone-based HRV measurement work?
Each heartbeat generates small mechanical forces that travel through your body. When you lie still and place your smartphone flat on your chest, the phone’s accelerometer can detect subtle chest wall vibrations caused by each heartbeat.
Sophisticated signal processing algorithms convert these vibrations into interbeat interval (IBI) data—the same data used to calculate HRV. For accurate results, it’s important to remain completely still and avoid thick clothing, which could introduce motion artifacts or reduce signal quality. Simply relax and breathe normally throughout the measurement.
With this setup, your smartphone becomes a minimalist HRV sensor, capable of delivering meaningful insights into your physiological state—no chest strap or wearable required.
What is the Custom Measurement mode in the Kubios HRV app?
The Kubios HRV app’s Custom Measurement mode offers researchers and professionals diverse HRV measurement tools. A Kubios HRV Scientific license (or compatible) is required for full functionality, including data storage and analysis; in demo mode (no license), measurements can be trialed, but data is not stored.
This mode leverages the Polar SDK for optimal performance with Polar H10 and Verity Sense sensors. Key features include:
- Measurement Subjects: Profiles for managing data from multiple participants.
- Online/Offline Recording: Online streaming (all compatible sensors); offline recording (sensor-stored data) with Polar H10/Verity Sense.
- Raw Data Storage: Record raw RR intervals (IBI), plus ECG, PPG, and acceleration data with specific Polar sensors.
- Event Markers: Add event markers with text labels during online recordings.
Which HR sensors are compatible with Kubios HRV app?
The Kubios HRV app supports Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) heart rate sensors that provide beat-to-beat RR interval data. While our Supported Devices page lists many compatible sensors, other BLE sensors providing RR intervals may also work. For an optimal experience, we recommend Polar H10 or Polar Verity Sense sensors, thanks to our Polar SDK integration.
For the highest HRV accuracy, ECG-based chest straps like the Polar H10 are preferred. Optical sensors (measuring IBI from the arm/finger), while convenient, are generally less accurate; their typical ±5 ms beat detection inaccuracy can lead to errors up to ±10% in HRV parameters.
Please note: ANT+ sensors are not supported. Additionally, the Apple Watch is not supported because it does not transmit real-time RR interval data to third-party applications.
Polar sensor specifications?
The Kubios HRV app utilizes Polar SDK to enable advanced data streaming from Polar H10 and Polar Verity Sense sensors. Supported data streams include beat-to-beat RR intervals (RR), pulse-to-pulse intervals (PPI), electrocardiogram (ECG), photoplethysmogram (PPG), and acceleration (ACC) data. Below are key technical specifications for using these sensors with the Kubios HRV app:
Polar H10 specifications
- Battery type: CR 2025 (non-rechargeable)
- Battery lifetime: ~400 hours
- Online recording: RR, ECG (130 Hz), and Acceleration (50 Hz)
- Offline recording: RR data only, max 95,000 RR intervals (up to ~20 hours of normal daily living)
Polar Verity Sense specifications
- Battery type: Rechargeable
- Battery lifetime: ~20 hours
- Online recording: PPI, PPG (55 Hz), and Acceleration (52 Hz)
- Offline recording: PPI (up to ~20 hours) or PPG (up to 3-6 hours recommended)