Experts are not sure whether such features
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2025 8:21 am
Beijing scientists tested six bracelets from Apple, Samsung, Jawbone, Fitbit, Huawei, and Xiaomi and found their readings to be accurate, without significant errors.
However, somnologists explain that trackers provide a raw array of data that is difficult to interpret without special education: the owner of a smartwatch receives information that he cannot use.
Alan Schwartz, director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Johns Hopkins Medical Center , says most sleep-tracking devices only guess whether a person is asleep or not—often mistaking inactivity for sleep. But trackers can give a rough idea of a person's sleep patterns, and if the user has no health problems, that's enough. The key is to be skeptical about the data, Schwartz says.
ECG
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that reads the duration and strength of the electrical signals produced by the heartbeat. An ECG uses electrodes to measure the electrical activity of the heart.
A medical device usually consists of ten electrodes placed on different parts of the body. In a smartwatch, there are fewer of them, for example, in the Apple Watch Series 4 there are two: one electrode on the back of the watch - above the wrist, the second - on the side on the wheel. To take an ECG, you need to put one hand with the watch on the table, and put the finger of the other on the wheel and wait for the watch to take readings.
The VivoWatch BP watch from Asus also uses two sensors to measure malta number data ECG and works without the need to sit and raise your arm during measurements.
are more beneficial or harmful. For example, some cardiologists doubt that continuous ECG measurements will help young people - rather, on the contrary, false alarms could lead to anxiety and a burden on hospitals due to those who seek medical attention.
What to do with the readings
The effectiveness of fitness bracelets has not yet been well studied, but the studies that do exist define the trackers as not accurate enough to be used for sports or medical purposes.
Can you lose weight with a smartwatch?
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh have suggested that people who wear fitness bracelets should lose weight faster because they are constantly monitoring their condition.
They tested this hypothesis by putting 470 people aged 18 to 35 on a low-calorie diet and prescribed physical activity. Some participants monitored their diet and exercise independently, while others monitored their diet and exercise with a wristband.
However, somnologists explain that trackers provide a raw array of data that is difficult to interpret without special education: the owner of a smartwatch receives information that he cannot use.
Alan Schwartz, director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Johns Hopkins Medical Center , says most sleep-tracking devices only guess whether a person is asleep or not—often mistaking inactivity for sleep. But trackers can give a rough idea of a person's sleep patterns, and if the user has no health problems, that's enough. The key is to be skeptical about the data, Schwartz says.
ECG
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that reads the duration and strength of the electrical signals produced by the heartbeat. An ECG uses electrodes to measure the electrical activity of the heart.
A medical device usually consists of ten electrodes placed on different parts of the body. In a smartwatch, there are fewer of them, for example, in the Apple Watch Series 4 there are two: one electrode on the back of the watch - above the wrist, the second - on the side on the wheel. To take an ECG, you need to put one hand with the watch on the table, and put the finger of the other on the wheel and wait for the watch to take readings.
The VivoWatch BP watch from Asus also uses two sensors to measure malta number data ECG and works without the need to sit and raise your arm during measurements.
are more beneficial or harmful. For example, some cardiologists doubt that continuous ECG measurements will help young people - rather, on the contrary, false alarms could lead to anxiety and a burden on hospitals due to those who seek medical attention.
What to do with the readings
The effectiveness of fitness bracelets has not yet been well studied, but the studies that do exist define the trackers as not accurate enough to be used for sports or medical purposes.
Can you lose weight with a smartwatch?
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh have suggested that people who wear fitness bracelets should lose weight faster because they are constantly monitoring their condition.
They tested this hypothesis by putting 470 people aged 18 to 35 on a low-calorie diet and prescribed physical activity. Some participants monitored their diet and exercise independently, while others monitored their diet and exercise with a wristband.