Samsung Electronics has teamed up with the University of Michigan Exercise & Sport Science Initiative (ESSI) to conduct a study using Galaxy Watch features to gather insights on sweat loss and VO2 max for runners. The goal of this research partnership is to provide runners with more reliable and accurate data to help manage their health and physical activity.
The study, overseen by the Michigan Performance Research Laboratory (MiPR), will span eight months and involve participants running on both treadmills and outdoors at various distances ranging from 2.5km to 20km. The data collected from the smartwatches will be compared against reference data to estimate participants’ VO2 max and sweat loss.
Runners often face challenges related to sweat loss, dehydration, and heat management, especially during the summer months. By leveraging the capabilities of the Galaxy Watch series, Samsung and the University of Michigan hope to enhance smartwatch technology, enabling runners to obtain more accurate measurements of their health metrics and address these issues.
The choice to collaborate with the MiPR lab was influenced by their established relationships within the wearable tech industry and running community, as well as the expertise of their researchers. The lab’s co-PIs, Adam Lepley, Alexandra DeJong Lempke, and Ken Kozloff, bring knowledge in sports medicine, running-related injury, performance, wearable tech, and applied/translational research. They have previously partnered with the University of Michigan Athletic Department, professional sports organizations, and industry leaders to derive meaningful insights from wearable technology for sport and exercise.
Hon Pak, Vice President and Head of the Digital Health Team at Samsung Electronics, expressed the company’s commitment to providing meaningful health insights through collaborations with industry leaders and academic institutions. He emphasized the excitement surrounding the partnership with the University of Michigan’s Exercise & Sport Science Initiative, a renowned expert in fitness and sports health, to deliver valuable insights to runners relying on the Galaxy Watch series for accurate and personalized motivation.
Ken Kozloff, co-director of ESSI, highlighted the positive impact this study will have on the community and the overwhelming response from participants eager to gain self-knowledge applicable to their training. Participants have already started enrolling, and data collection is well underway, thanks to the enthusiastic response from the local running community in Ann Arbor, home to both recreational and elite runners.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch6 and Galaxy Watch6 Classic, recently launched, offer features such as personalized fitness coaching, advanced sleep management, and health monitoring. Runners can benefit from the Personalized Heart Rate Zone feature, which provides five optimal running intensity levels based on individual physical capabilities. Furthermore, the Track Run feature allows runners to record their runs accurately, while in-depth analysis provided by the Galaxy Watch, such as asymmetry, regularity, and ground contact time, helps improve performance and reduce the risk of injury.
The study compares the Galaxy Watch’s VO2 max and sweat loss measurements with CPET (Cardiopulmonary exercise testing) and weight change, respectively. It’s important to note that the Galaxy Watch is intended for general wellness and fitness purposes only and should not be used for detection, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, or management of any medical condition or disease. Users should consult with a physician for any medical advice. Certain features may vary depending on the market, carrier, or paired device. To update Heart Rate zone ranges for running, outdoor running for more than 10 minutes at a constant speed of 4km/h or faster is required.
