Frequently Asked Questions

SETUP

What minimum setup is required?

The following minimum setup is required to track one or more player heart rates:

• iPhone or iPad running iOS 16 or above
• Bluetooth Heart Rate Sensors compatible with iPhone
• In-App Subscription is required to connect multiple sensors (optional)

On Standard TV, Projector, or Computer Monitor

• USB-C to HDMI Adapter, Digital AV Adapter, or Apple TV
• HDMI Cable

On AirPlay-Compatible Smart TV

• Simply tap Screen Mirroring icon from the control center on your iPhone/iPad and select the latest AirPlay-compatible smart TV

How can I display sessions on multiple TVs?

You can display sessions on multiple TVs using a HDMI Splitter, which splits one HDMI input signal to multiple HDMI output signals identical to the input signal. You can connect your iPhone to the splitter input using either a digital AV adapter or AppleTV via Airplay. Our team has successfully tested both input methods using the OREI 4K 1x4 HDMI Splitter with excellent results.

• OREI 4K 1x4 HDMI Splitter

APPS

How does SquadHR compare with TeamHR?

In general, SquadHR and TeamHR are two different heart rate tracking apps designed for specific use cases.

• SquadHR is designed for fitness instructors to track group fitness classes. It connects up to 14 Bluetooth heart rate sensors in real time or 24 sensors in near real time using a time-sharing algorithm on a single iPhone. SquadHR is best suited for indoor environments.
• TeamHR is designed for sports coaches to track team practice sessions. It connects up to 14 Bluetooth heart rate sensors in real time on one iPhone or 50 sensors in real time using additional iPhones running the TeamHub app. Each iPhone hub acts as a signal repeater, extending the broadcast range of the heart rate sensors. When used with the TeamHub app, TeamHR is best suited for outdoor environments.

How do subscriptions work?

You can download SquadHR or TeamHR for free from the App Store to track heart rate for one person. To track multiple people (Multiplayer mode), subscribe and get a 7-day free trial. You can cancel anytime—just make sure to do so at least one day before the first billing date.

Why did multiplayer mode change to single player even though I'm still subscribed?

Subscriptions are renewed at the start of each billing cycle. Once Apple successfully charges your credit card, a payment receipt is sent to the app on your device to update your membership level and maintain access to Multiplayer mode. However, due to factors like internet connectivity issues or payment processing delays, this receipt may not be received in time—resulting in your membership being revoked and Multiplayer mode being disabled. If this happens, you can manually request a receipt from the App Store by going to App Settings > Membership > Restore Previous Purchase. Please wait a few seconds for a response. If the process fails to restore your membership, contact us with a copy of your latest invoice.

Can I share one subscription on multiple iPhones?

Yes. One subscription can be used to run the app on multiple devices using the same AppleID. Simply download and run SquadHR or TeamHR onto your 2nd (or more) device, and select App Settings > Membership > Restore Previous Purchase.

How do I cancel my subscription?

Subscriptions can be cancelled in iPhone/iPad Settings > your Apple ID > Subscriptions > App Name. Subscriptions will automatically renew (at selected duration) unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period.

How many players can be tracked simultaneously in real-time on a single iPhone?

The maximum number of players that can be tracked simultaneously depends on the Bluetooth capabilities of your iPhone or iPad. This limit varies based on the Bluetooth version and the operating system of your device.

Guidelines from our experience and customer feedback suggest:

• Devices with Bluetooth 5 can support 12-14 heart rate sensors.
• Devices with Bluetooth 4 can support up to 7 sensors.

For example:

• An iPhone X (Bluetooth 5) can connect to 14 sensors.
• An iPhone 8, iPad 10th Gen, and iPad mini 6th Gen (all Bluetooth 5) can connect to 12 sensors.
• A 2017 iPad 5th Gen (Bluetooth 4) can connect to 7 sensors.

For device-specific Bluetooth versions, refer to Apple's comparison links:
https://www.apple.com/au/iphone/compare
https://www.apple.com/au/ipad/compare

How does Bluetooth Time-Sharing work in SquadHR?

Bluetooth time-sharing allows each available Bluetooth channel on your device to be shared with two heart rate sensors. For example, iPhones or newer iPads with Bluetooth 5 (12-14 channels) can effectively track 24 players, while older iPads with Bluetooth 4 (7 channels) can effectively track 14 players, depending on Bluetooth signal strength and heart rate sensor performance. Note: Time-sharing reduces the heart rate sampling frequency, resulting in slower updates and decreased overall accuracy of session results. For real-time heart rate tracking, it is advisable to use a scoreboard size that remains within the Bluetooth limit.

How does Bluetooth Network Mode work in TeamHR?

Bluetooth network mode allows you to collect sensor data from multiple iPhones running the TeamHub app. Each iPhone hub can connect up to 12 Bluetooth sensors. These hubs will appear on the coverage map when they are within the Bluetooth range of this device. Network mode can simultaneously track up to 50 players in real-time with high accuracy and without data loss.

When enabled, sensor data will be collected only from iPhone hubs.

Which Bluetooth heart rate sensors are compatible with Network mode?

Below is the current list of heart rate sensors which are compatible with Network mode:

CARE
HRM 508/803
HW 702/706/807
MYZONE (BLE4)
Polar H7/H9/H10/OH1/SENSE/PRO
Wahoo TICKR

Please contact us if your heart rate sensor contains a unique identifier name (i.e., serial number) so we can add it to this list.

INTERNET

Can I run the app without a continuous internet connection?

Yes. In most cases, the app will work without a continuous internet connection. However, internet connectivity is required at times, such as for sending workout summaries and renewing subscribed services (e.g., multiplayer mode).

Why do workout summaries require an internet connection?

Workout summaries are managed by a third-party mail transfer service and require internet connectivity to function.

Why does multiplayer mode require an internet connection?

Multiplayer mode requires a valid subscription. After Apple successfully charges your credit card at the next billing cycle, a payment receipt is sent to the app to renew subscribed services. Therefore, continuous internet connectivity will be required to automatically receive payment receipts. Alternatively, without internet connectivity, payment receipts can be requested manually using the Restore Previous Purchase option in App Settings > Home > Settings > Membership.

Are there options for users who prefer to run the app without an internet connection?

Yes, annual subscriptions are available for users who prefer to run the app without an internet connection. However, the device must be connected to the internet when renewing the subscription.

HEART RATE TRAINING

What is heart rate training?

Heart Rate Training (HRT) is the method of tracking your heart rate to optimize your workout. Heart Rate (HR) is simply the number of times your heart beats per minute (bpm) as it pumps blood through your system. HR shares a direct, linear relationship with exercise intensity - the more intense the exercise, the higher the heart rate. This makes HR one of the best indicators of how hard your body is working during a workout. HR must increase to match the increased demand of the working muscles. As aerobic fitness develops, your muscles' ability to pull oxygen out of the blood improves, and so your HR decreases at any given level of work output (exercise load). HR and physical characteristics such as body weight, age, and gender are used to estimate energy expenditure, exercise intensity, and aerobic fitness.

In general, a drop in exercise heart rate is a good indicator of improving fitness.

How is max heart rate calculated?

Max Heart Rate (MHR) is defined as the highest number of beats per minute your heart can pump under maximum effort. So when you exercise at the highest possible intensity, your heart will reach MHR, the fastest rate it is capable of beating. MHR can be estimated from the commonly used formula 220 minus age. However, this formula is not perfectly accurate, especially for people who have been fit for many years or for older people. You can accurately measure your true MHR by warming up properly and then performing a series of high-intensity intervals to maximum effort, such as hill-climbs (running/cycling) or inclined treadmill, while wearing a heart rate sensor. MHR is used primarily to calculate your heart rate training zones.

For safety reasons, people aged over 35, overweight, with poor physical condition, who are sedentary for several years, or have a family history of heart disease, should have their max heart rate clinically measured by a cardiologist or exercise physiologist.

How is active energy calculated?

Active energy or energy expenditure (Cal/kJ) is estimated using an equation developed in a study published in the Journal of Sports Sciences in 2005 and funded by Polar Electro Oy. In this study, participants completed three steady-state exercises on either a treadmill or cycle ergometer at multiple exercise intensities. Heart rate and VO2 data were collected during each stage. The researchers demonstrated that it is possible to estimate physical activity energy expenditure with good accuracy using heart rate, age, weight, and gender.

How is afterburn energy calculated?

The afterburn effect, also known as Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption (EPOC), occurs when your body continues to burn calories after you exercise to replenish oxygen stores in the muscles during recovery. Energy afterburn is predicted using an equation derived from a 2011 study published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. In this study, ten men performed a vigorous 45-minute workout on a stationary bike in a metabolic chamber. Total energy expenditure was compared to a controlled resting day. The vigorous 45-minute workout resulted in a significant elevation in post-exercise energy expenditure that persisted for 14 hours. The results demonstrated an additional 37% post-exercise energy expenditure to the net energy expended during the 45-minute workout. Based on these results, the app calculates 37% of the net energy expended above a vigorous training threshold of 70% maximal heart rate (aerobic) to estimate a conservative value for afterburn.

How is training score calculated?

Training Score (or Training IMPulse, "TRIMP") is a measure of the cumulative exercise intensity from a single workout used to quantify training load. Edwards' summated heart rate zones score method is used to calculate your training score. Training score is calculated as the product of the cumulated training duration (in minutes) for five heart rate zones multiplied by a coefficient relative to each zone (i.e., 90-100%HRmax = 5; 80-90% = 4; 70-80% = 3; 60-70% = 2; 50-60% = 1; <50% = 0). The highest possible score would require training in your maximum zone (90-100%HRmax) for the full duration of the workout (i.e., total session minutes multiplied by 5). The Rating is mapped to percentages of the maximum score. For example, a score of 100 achieved over 45 minutes would correspond to 44% of the maximum score (100 points ÷ (45 minutes × 5 points) = 0.44), which is classified as Moderate intensity. If the same 100 score were achieved over 60 minutes, it would correspond to 33% of max score, which is classified as Easy intensity. Conversely, achieving 100 score over 30 minutes would result in 67% of max score, which is classified as Hard intensity.

Higher training scores can be achieved with longer duration and/or more vigorous workouts.

How is heart rate variability calculated?

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is the difference in time between the beats of your heart, measured in milliseconds (ms). The app calculates HRV by using the standard deviation of beat-to-beat measurements which are captured by the heart rate sensor. HRV is useful for evaluating your physical fitness and determining exercise readiness. In general, higher heart rate variability is a sign of better fitness. HRV is a personalized metric that differs greatly from one individual to the next, and factors such as age, gender, fitness level, lifestyle, environment, and genetics will affect it. HRV can only be calculated with HRV-enabled heart rate sensors, such as Polar H9/H10.

What is cardio recovery?

Cardio recovery refers to how quickly your heart rate returns to normal after exercise. The fitter you are, the faster your heart rate falls during the first minute after peak exertion. According to the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), the average recovery rate is a drop of 15 to 25 beats. As a general guideline, an excellent recovery is a drop of more than 25 beats, good ranges from 18–25 beats, and fair from 12–17 beats. A recovery drop of fewer than 12 beats is considered poor and has been linked to an increased risk of cardiac events. Recovery is influenced by age, fitness level, hydration, medications (such as beta-blockers), and overall health. Tracking it over time can help monitor improvements in cardiovascular fitness.

How is recovery drop calculated?

Recovery drop is measured by subtracting your heart rate one minute after exercise from your peak heart rate during exercise. For example, if your heart rate reaches 160 beats per minute at peak exertion and drops to 135 beats after one minute of rest, your recovery drop is calculated as 25 beats. This simple difference provides a snapshot of how efficiently your cardiovascular system recovers after stress.

SESSIONS

How are session titles used?

Set custom titles to give all completed sessions the same title, such as your sports club name. Select auto to give each completed session the time-of-day for title, such as "Monday Morning Training". Time-of-day titles may be preferable when running sessions continuously over 24 hours.

How are sensor labels used?

You can assign heart rate sensors a custom label name to make searching for and switching owners fast and easy. The label name is used to sort the sensors list in the Sensors tab. For example, by tagging the sensor device with numbers "1", "2", "3", etc., you can easily find and change owners using the swipe-to-switch action, without ever needing to handle the sensor device.

What is interpolated heart rate?

Interpolated heart rate refers to the use of linear interpolation to fill in missing heart rate data during periods of signal loss. For example, if the last recorded value before a 10-second signal drop is 140 bpm, and the next recorded value is 150 bpm (e.g., the player was lying prone on the floor), the missing data would be replaced with linearly interpolated values between 140 and 150 bpm—such as 141, 142, and so on—over the 10-second gap.

What is heart rate accuracy?

Heart rate accuracy represents the ratio of interpolated samples to valid samples, calculated as (valid_count - interpolated_count) / valid_count x 100%. For example, if one 10-minute session included 1 minute of signal loss, then accuracy would be (10 mins - 1 min) / 10 mins x 100% = 90%. Note that accuracy will always equal 100% when the interpolated option is disabled.

How is heart rate displayed in the player tile?

Display heart rate as beats-per-minute (BPM) or %maximum heart rate (%) in the player tile.

How is performance data displayed in player tiles?

Optionally select and display performance metrics at the bottom of player tiles. Performance metrics include current/%max/high/low/avg heart rate (bpm), energy expenditure (cal/kj), training score (points), session time, time-in-zone, recovery time, and heart rate variability (HRV).

How does the timeout period work?

Activity can be run continuously, while individual player sessions can automatically start and stop based on a timeout period. The timeout period is the duration of time without a Bluetooth signal before a player is removed from the activity screen. When a heart rate sensor signal is detected (i.e., activated or within range), the player's session will begin recording. If the heart rate sensor signal is not detected for a duration exceeding the timeout period (e.g., 1 minute), the player's session will stop recording. Longer timeout periods may be beneficial in training environments where intermittent signal loss is expected, such as during water sports. The timeout period can be configured by navigating to Session > Settings > Heart Rate > Timeout Period.

WORKOUT SUMMARIES

How are workout summaries sent?

Workout summaries can be sent to each trainee automatically after completing their training session (i.e., heart sensor is disconnected) or when the stop button has been pressed. A copy of each summary can also be sent to yourself by setting your email address in Home > Settings > Email > Notifications. Summaries will only be sent to profiles with a valid email address, a valid session duration, and your iPhone display must be on. Summaries can also be sent manually from the session screen.

Can I add my own banner image to workout summaries?

Yes. The banner image in workout summaries can link to an existing image on your website, such as your company logo. If you don't have a website, then any hosting service will do (e.g., freeimage.host), so long as the image file is available on the web and viewable in your browser. Go to Home > Settings > Logo Image, then copy and paste the URL to an image file on your website. The maximum file size is 1MB. The recommended file size is 100KB. The recommended dimensions are 1200x200 pixels. Valid filename extensions are jpg, jpeg, and png. Below are some examples from our website and Amazon S3 account:

You can copy and paste example links in your web browser to check availability. Then try replacing the default logo by pasting them in your app settings.

Examples:
https://trackteam.net/images/example.jpg
https://trackteam.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/banner-1200x200.jpg

Why are some trainees not receiving workout summaries?

The Sendgrid email service is used to provide reliable and trusted automated delivery of workout summaries. However, due to the high volume of emails delivered by this service, it's still possible some recipient email servers will incorrectly flag messages as spam. This could lead to some people missing out on their workout summaries.

Please advise affected members to first check their junk folders. Also, some members may be able to configure their email client to allow messages sent from trackteam.net. Alternatively, you might ask them to provide an alternate address from a common email service, such as Gmail.

HEART RATE SENSORS

How do I pair heart rate sensors?

Bluetooth heart rate sensors can be paired by tapping the "+" button on the sensors tab. To pair, you must first activate the sensor (i.e., wear a strap/band or hold your finger across snap connectors), and then bring it close to your iPhone until you hear a confirmation beep (like Apple Pay).

How do I allocate/deallocate a sensor with a player?

You can allocate or reallocate a sensor by either editing the profile, editing the sensor, or using the swipe-to-switch shortcut action. Access swipe-to-switch shortcut by swiping left on sensor in Sensors tab, then selecting or deselecting a player from the list.

Why are some heart rates not appearing in the session screen?

First ensure heart rate sensor has been correctly fitted and is powered on. Chest straps may require moistening the electrodes to make good contact with the skin. Also check that Bluetooth is enabled in system settings on your iPhone, and if it is - try toggling Bluetooth off and on. Shut down any other apps running in the background that may be using Bluetooth. Finally, try restarting your iPhone to force the closure of all apps that may be hogging Bluetooth connections. For further assistance please email us at info@trackteam.net and include as much detail as possible.

What should I do if all heart rates have frozen or Bluetooth error appears in the session screen?

You can try resetting Bluetooth while the session is still running. Open Control Center by swiping down from top right of screen, and toggle Bluetooth off then on. If tracking does not resume automatically then you may need to restart session.

How do electrical chest strap heart rate sensors (ECG) compare to optical armband sensors?

Chest strap heart rate sensors detect electrical signals produced by the heart muscle (ECG) through the skin and transmit these signals wirelessly to your device using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio frequency. This ECG method is highly accurate, even during intense physical activity with higher heart rates, making it suitable for both casual users and athletes alike. In comparison, optical armband sensors use green LED lights to illuminate the capillaries, while light-sensitive photodiodes measure the amount of light absorbed by the red pigment of the blood as it flows past. The accuracy of this optical method varies from person to person due to factors such as movement, position, sweat, hair density, skin color, and tattoos.

How many Bluetooth heart rate sensors can my device connect to simultaneously?

The maximum number of heart rate sensors your device can connect to simultaneously depends on both Bluetooth version supported and operating system limitations, which can vary from device to device. For example, our tests showed iPhoneX, iPad 10th Gen, and iPad mini 6th Gen with Bluetooth 5 can connect to 14 heart sensors simultaneously, while our iPad 5th Gen with Bluetooth 4 can only connect to 7.

FILE BACKUP

How does iCloud backup work?

When iCloud Backup is enabled on your iPhone, all app data, including profiles and session data, will be automatically backed up periodically. However, iCloud Backup does not offer single-app data restore - you can only restore the entire contents of your iPhone to a new/erased device.

How does file export work?

File export was designed to give users the option to back up valuable profile and session data without depending on iCloud. Exported files can be created on-demand and managed through the Files app on your iPhone. This lets you safely store your exported files on your computer or another device on a different iCloud account. Exported files can also be imported onto other iPhones.

How do I create an exported file?

You can create an exported file on your iPhone using Home > Settings > Export All Data. You can manage this file through the Files app, or by connecting your iPhone to your computer. You should always move this file from the app folder to a new folder or your computer to keep this file safe, because accidentally removing the app will also delete its application folder where your export files are saved.

How can I copy exported files to another device or my computer?

You can copy exported files to another iPhone or your computer using the Files app on your iPhone. The Files App (by Apple) can be downloaded free from the App Store. Exported files can easily be shared via email or Airdrop using the Files App. For example, launch the Files app > App folder > exported file > share button > email.

How can I restore an exported file to my iPhone?

You can restore your profiles and session data from an exported file using Home > Settings > Import From File > your files folder > your exported file. Depending on where you copied your exported file to, the files folder may be found on your iPhone or iCloud Drive. For example, upon receiving an exported file in Mail, open the Mail app > select exported file > Save To Files > On Your iPhone or iCloud Drive > Save.

DATA PRIVACY

How private and secure is the heart rate data?

We recognize that heart rate and performance data in competitive sports is highly sensitive. Therefore, we do not collect or store any data on our own servers. All profile, session, and activity data, including heart rate data from sensors, is stored on-device only. However, the third-party SendGrid mail service is used to generate training summaries from session data sent over the internet. If privacy is a concern, we suggest keeping the optional last name blank in profiles. Additionally, if you are using the file export option to back up, migrate, or share data onto another device, remember that data security remains your responsibility.