Apple products are mostly criticised for being over-priced in comparison to other devices with more or less similar features. Most of the time, critics choose to overlook the supreme quality of Apple products. A recent study by Cleveland Clinic, published in JAMA Cardiology, supports the same with its claim of Apple Watch being the most accurate wrist wearable for fitness tracking.
This study was conducted with 50 healthy adults with mean body mass index (BMI) of 23.5. The participants wore standard electrocardiographic limb leads or EKG and a Polar H7 chest strap monitor. Each participant was randomly assigned to wear two different wrist-worn heart rate (HR) monitors. In the study, four wearable were assessed: Fitbit Charge HR, Apple Watch, Mio Alpha and Basis Peak. Heart rate was assessed with participants on a treadmill at rest and at 2 mph, 3 mph, 4 mph, 5 mph and 6 mph. Heart rates were recorded at 30, 60, and 90 seconds’ recovery.
Apple Watch: The Most Accurate Wearable
As per the findings of the study, the Polar H7 chest strap was the most accurate with the accuracy rate of 99% compared to the results from the EKG. When it comes to wearables, Apple watch had the highest accuracy rate at about 91%. The rate of precision of the other wearables dropped off into the low 80s. Moreover, the accuracy rate dropped with the increase in the workout intensity. However, contradicting to the findings, Fitbit claims that the accuracy rate showed by its internal tests was 94%.
Fitbit trackers are not intended to be medical devices. Unlike chest straps, wrist-based trackers fit comfortably into everyday life, providing continuous heart rate for up to several days without recharging to give a much more informative picture of overall health and fitness trends. –Â said a Fitbit representative.
Apple is world’s most innovative company and one of the highest spenders on research & development at $6 billion. They centre their focus on building the quality products rather than think of cost cutting. Apple aims at delivering the best experience to the users through accuracy with optimism. Apple Watch 2 and watchOS3 brought additional improvements to device’s fitness capabilities. It also includes several new features like water resistance for swimmers and built-in GPS for mapping. It is a complete powerhouse for users who prefer a portable device to track their workout and fitness, with an aim to change the entire lifestyle.
We are really pleased with our revenues but our goal isn’t to make money. It sounds a little flippant but it’s the truth. Our goal and what makes us excited is to make great products. If we are successful, people will like them and if we are operationally competent, we will make money. – said Jonathan Ive, Chief Design Officer, Apple.
Maximum Accuracy Expected from Fitness Wearables
Fitness trackers and HR monitors are getting increasingly popular these days. The devices use optical sensors, which detect light bouncing back from blood flow beneath the skin, to measure your pulse. However, at times these devices are not very accurate. The results depend on a lot of factors like where you wear your tracker, your height, weight, and steps measurement. Even sitting in a vehicle on a bumpy road adds to the number of steps! Depending entirely on these devices is not a good idea for leading a healthy lifestyle. It is only with the selection of the right device; you can expect to get the desired information.
However, the results don’t necessarily mean that you should ditch your tracker. But, if accurate HR is important for you, then you must consider a chest strap monitor or any other traditional device as they are the most accurate. And among the wrist-wearables, Apple watch is the most accurate monitor to get your hands on.