Samsung’s Galaxy Watch has received a significant boost in credibility. Its fitness tracking features have been validated by the University of Michigan’s Human Performance & Sport Science Center (HPSSC). The Michigan Performance Research Laboratory (MiPR) at HPSSC rigorously tested the Galaxy Watch, comparing its readings to those of clinical-grade devices.
The findings are noteworthy, demonstrating that the smartwatch accurately measures heart rate, sweat loss, VO2 max, and body fat percentage.
The following are the specific contents of the survey results:
- Body Fat Percentage: The smartwatch’s readings were 95% accurate when compared to DEXA scans. DEXA scans, or dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, are imaging tests that assess bone mineral density, helping to determine the strength or weakness of your bones.
- Heart Rate: The Galaxy Watch demonstrated a 90% correlation with electrocardiogram equipment. Since heart rate is a crucial indicator of cardiovascular exertion during exercise, it is arguably the most important metric to monitor accurately.
- VO2 Max: The measurements from the Galaxy Watch were within 82% of those obtained from clinical-grade devices. VO2 max, or maximal oxygen consumption, refers to the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during intense exercise. In simpler terms, it serves as a measure of your aerobic fitness.
- Sweat Loss: The smartwatch provided accurate estimates of sweat loss over distances ranging from 2.5 km to 20 km (1.5 to 12.4 miles), achieving a 95% correlation.
Dr. Hon Pak, Senior Vice President and Head of the Digital Health Team at Samsung Electronics, stated that the validation from the University of Michigan demonstrates Samsung’s dedication to “providing precise and insightful fitness tracking experiences.”
The HPSSC also expressed enthusiasm about the results. “We are eager to continue our collaboration with Samsung to guarantee that innovations in wearable technology are both accessible and accurate for all,” remarked Kenneth Kozloff, co-director of HPSSC.
Our experience with the newest Galaxy Watch.
While we cannot fully endorse their findings, we did have some reservations during our review of the Galaxy Watch 7. For instance, we found its fitness tracking capabilities somewhat lacking. In our colleague’s experience, there were several instances where the watch provided inaccurate heart rate readings.
We compared the heart rate monitor of the Galaxy Watch 7 with other devices and a heart rate strap, all of which yielded different results than those shown by the Samsung wearable. It’s important to note that new products, especially smartwatches, often have bugs that can compromise the accuracy of their sensor data in the initial weeks following their release.
Therefore, we are not claiming that our measurements are more precise than those of the HPSSC. The key takeaway is that it’s essential to pay attention to your body’s signals and not rely solely on the data provided by a smartwatch.
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