Polar's ``New P.E.'' Initiative to Be Featured on ``The

Global Learning Series''; National Television Series to

Feature Polar in ``Understanding Obesity'' Program


LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 3, 2006--Polar Electro, the world leader in heart rate monitors and fitness technology, announced today a partnership with "The Global Learning Series," an education-focused, issue-oriented public television program. Polar will be featured in "Understanding Obesity," a new program in the series that will focus on educating viewers on the causes and potential solutions in combating the latest obesity crisis in America. As part of the show, attention will be focused on ways to stymie obesity by properly educating children in the classroom and how Polar is leading the charge in developing technology and programs to support the "New P.E." that are revolutionizing the physical education curriculums for grades K-12.


"Understanding Obesity" will air in late fall on public television stations as well as on several cable television stations throughout the country, and on Voice of America programming internationally. The show will take viewers inside a school that is using the Polar technology and has fully adopted the "New P.E." philosophy to show the impact that this change has made in the lives of the students. "New P.E." is a new way of looking at physical education in which the focus is taken away from increasing athletic skills and turning the attention to developing individual fitness.

"Polar's commitment to educating parents, the education community, as well as the general public is a stellar example of a leader in the technology sector that has a strong corporate responsibility ethos," explained John McGuire, Senior Producer of Programming for 'The Global Learning Series.' "We're eager to partner with Polar on equipping viewers with the knowledge and tools to help children establish lifetime fitness habits."

Polar is dedicated to helping fight childhood obesity by providing physical education teachers with cutting-edge technology, such as heart rate monitors and fitness assessment systems, that enables them to provide individualized, accurate assessments for their students as well as document their progress. For more than 10 years, Polar has worked with physical educators to develop these tools and today, they are used by thousands of physical education programs across the country.

"We believe that establishing healthy behaviors at a young age is an important step in preventing obesity, so we work closely with schools to help kids develop healthy exercise habits in their P.E. classes," noted Gina Pilnacek, Polar's Segment Marketing Manager for Education. "This series is a great opportunity for us to show Americans the important role P.E. plays in our current educational environment and how with the right tools, physical educators can impact a child's lifestyle well into adulthood."

About "The Global Learning Series"

"The Global Learning Series" is education focused, issue-oriented and non-commercial, and is independently produced and distributed directly to public television stations around the country. "The Global Learning Series" strictly follows the standards and practices of public television, and is distributed freely to public television stations in all 50 states. "The Global Learning Series" program is not affiliated with PBS. For program information, contact: http://www.thegloballearningseries.tv

About Polar

Headquartered in Lake Success, NY, Polar Electro is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Finland-based Polar Electro OY, which invented the first wireless heart rate monitor (HRM) in 1977. Polar heart rate monitors, the number one choice among consumers worldwide, help exercisers "listen" to their bodies and use their body signals to manage physical activity properly. Polar's education program provides physical education teachers with cutting-edge technology, such as heart rate monitors and fitness assessment systems, which enables them to accurately and objectively assess each student and to develop personalized health and fitness portfolios for each one. For more than 10 years, Polar has worked with physical educators to develop technology and support materials that let teachers assess and document students' progress, as well as motivate students to become interested in their own well-being. Polar products are used by thousands of physical education programs across the country. For more information on Polar's education-focused products and programs, visit www.polarusa.com/education.