Last year, Samsung partnered with the University of Michigan, specifically the Michigan Performance Institute (MiPR), to study and improve the accuracy of the measurements provided by the Galaxy Watch. Now they are ready to share their insights.
MiPR’s research showed a high correlation between the data reported by Galaxy Watches and sports science reference devices when measuring heart rate, body fat percentage, sweat rate and VO2 max (see the latter two features introduced in One UI 4.1). The breakdown is as follows:
- Heart rate: probably the most commonly used health feature on a watch, the study showed a 90% correlation with electrocardiogram equipment when running (which is trickier than measuring when standing still since the watch bounces around constantly).
- Body fat percentage: here the watches did even better, showing a 95% correlation with the standard diagnostic test of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
- Sweat loss: this is a measurement of the amount of water a runner has lost during their run and is used to guide rehydration afterwards. The watches achieved 95% correlation when tested on distances ranging from 2.5km to 20km (1.5-12 miles).
- VO2 max: this measures how much oxygen is absorbed by the body during a workout. Compared to clinical-grade equipment, the watches achieved an acceptable correlation of 82%.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with Samsung to make wearable technology innovation accessible and accurate for all populations. HPSSC and MiPR are pleased to present these outstanding results, which reinforce our commitment to improving heart rate monitoring and health, and we look forward to working together in the future,” said Kenneth Kozloff, Associate Director of HPSSC.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
