Assessing Heart Rate in Physical Education. Assessment Series: K-12 Physical Education.

This guide discusses the assessment of heart rate and, in particular, the assessment of heart rate using a heart monitor. Part 1, "Foundation for the Use of Heart Rate," reviews literature about heart rate assessment and heart rate monitors, offering an overview of national guidelines for physical activity. It focuses on the importance of physical activity, measures of physical activity, validity and reliability of heart rate monitoring, and validity of heart rate measurement instruments. Part 2, "Practical Applications of Heart Rate Monitoring," discusses ways to assess heart rate, then notes general uses of heart rate monitors and the use of heart rate monitors for educational purposes (assessing fitness, assessing effort, grading, assessing effectiveness of instruction, and rubrics). This part also features various applications used by K-12 teachers. A list of relevant resources is included. (Contains 51 references.) (SM)