Sports Technology & Communications News from Around the World

A new exercise app allows smartphone users to track their heart rate and rhythm while running or jogging, according to a story by Chris Davies at slashgear.com.

Garmin launched the new iPhone (News - Alert) and Android fitness app, called Fit, on Tuesday.  Garmin (News - Alert) Fit costs 99 cents to download, and it automatically syncs with Garmin’s Connect online portal to keep a record of goals. It also allows users to share workouts with contacts. The ANT+ iPhone Adapter, at $49.99, went before the FCC (News - Alert) earlier this month.

Garmin Fit’s adapter monitors vital statistics using the company’s various wireless accessories. But without the adapter, there are still many things you can do, according to the story, including measuring “speed, pace, distance, time and calories burned.” In addition, a music playback control is part of the app, and for those who never stop working even for exercise, support for answering calls and text messages without losing track of your workout, Davies writes.

Once users have finished, they can tell the app what the weather was like and add any relevant notes, and then all that data is sent online Garmin Connect records, letting users  track their routes and compare them with those recorded by one of Garmin’s GPS watches, according to the story.

Heart monitors measure and record runners’ heart rates, while giving them instant feedback about how their hearts are working, according to a story by Alex Sinha posted at marathonguide.com. “The fitness of the heart is the key to one's aerobic endurance - sometimes called 'cardiovascular respiratory endurance,’” according to Sinha.

Aerobic endurance is a key point of focus for almost any runner, he writes, adding that heart monitors are one of the most effective aids for tracking and developing a runner’s progress as he strives to increase his endurance.

Deborah DiSesa Hirsch is an award-winning health and technology writer who has worked for newspapers, magazines and IBM (News - Alert) in her 20-year career. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.