If you’re going to splurge on a great GPS watch for running, then you might as well make the most of it! Just like when you get a new phone, there’s a little bit of clicking around needed to find all the shortcuts and hidden tricks.
These 10 GPS watch tips and tricks will make your running all the sweeter!
BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation from
Background
The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of three different sport watches in estimating energy expenditure during aerobic and anaerobic running. Methods
Twenty trained subjects ran at different intensities while wearing three commercial sport watches (Suunto Ambit2, Garmin Forerunner920XT, and Polar V800). Indirect calorimetry was used as the criterion measure for assessing energy expenditure. Different formulas were applied to compute energy expenditure from the gas exchange values for aerobic and anaerobic running. Results
The accuracy of the energy expenditure estimations was intensity-dependent for all tested watches. During aerobic running (4–11 km/h), mean absolute percentage error values of −25.16% to +38.09% were observed, with the Polar V800 performing most accurately (stage 1: −12.20%, stage 2: −3.61%, and stage 3: −4.29%). The Garmin Forerunner920XT significantly underestimated energy expenditure during the slowest stage (stage 1: −25.16%), whereas, the Suunto Ambit2 significantly overestimated energy expenditure during the two slowest stages (stage 1: 38.09%, stage 2: 36.29%). During anaerobic running (14–17 km/h), all three watches significantly underestimated energy expenditure by −21.62% to −49.30%. Therefore, the error in estimating energy expenditure systematically increased as the anaerobic running speed increased. Conclusions
To estimate energy expenditure during aerobic running, the Polar V800 is recommended. By contrast, the other two watches either significantly overestimated or underestimated energy expenditure during most running intensities. The energy expenditure estimations generated during anaerobic exercises revealed large measurement errors in all tested sport watches. Therefore, the algorithms for estimating energy expenditure during intense activities must be improved before they can be used to monitor energy expenditure during high-intensity physical activities. [full text]
Fitbit’s shiny new Ionic smartwatch was supposed to help the struggling wearables maker get back on top for the holidays, but it’s looking like a grim reckoning may be coming for the company next year instead.
Wall Street analysts say the new $300 device isn’t catching on enough to offset depressed sales of Fitbit’s simpler and lower priced activity trackers. And new opportunities Fitbit has pursued supplying devices for corporate wellness plans and medical research studies have yet to payoff.
Vancouver-based Mio Global is changing its name to PAI Health. The news follows its recent announcement that it is pulling back from selling hardware and focusing on developing software instead.
A new generation of apps and wearables is emerging with the ability to monitor vital signs crucial to spotting heart problems, giving us and our doctors powerful new weapons to fight stroke and heart disease.
Just last week, Apple revealed it would be testing, along with Stanford Medicine, an Apple Watch app to help spot irregular heart rhythms that could lead to serious illness. And the same day, Silicon Valley startup AliveCor announced it received FDA clearance for a connected wristband for the Apple Watch. Together, AliveCor’s hardware and software monitor for irregularities, and they produce medical-grade results for physicians to evaluate.
Efforts like these and others could save lots of lives. And, in this time of spiraling healthcare costs, they could also save money.
Personal technology is getting a bad rap these days. It keeps getting more addictive: Notifications keep us glued to our phones. Autoplaying episodes lure us into Netflix binges. Social awareness cues—like the “seen-by” list on Instagram Stories—enslave us to obsessive, ouroboric usage patterns. (Blink twice if you’ve ever closed Instagram, only to re-open it reflexively.) Our devices, apps, and platforms, experts increasingly warn, have been engineered to capture our attention and ingrain habits that are (it seems self evident) less than healthy.
Unless, that is, you’re talking about fitness trackers. For years, the problem with Fitbits, Garmins, Apple Watches, and their ilk has been that they aren’t addictive enough. About one third of people who buy fitness trackers stop using them within six months, and more than half eventually abandon them altogether.
As for that guy at work whose Fitbit appears to be bionically integrated with his wrist, it’s unclear whether wearing the thing actually makes him more fit. Most studies on the effectiveness of fitness trackers have produced weak or inconclusive findings (blame short investigation windows and small, homogenous sample sizes). In fact, two of the most well-designed studies to date have turned up less than stellar results.
Sensio by MediaTek is a biosensor that monitors heart rate, heart rate variability, blood pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation levels, ECG and PPG, from a smartphone, in 60 seconds. This could allow continuous monitoring with out multiple sensors.
LEDs and a light sensitive sensor measure the absorption of red and infrared light from a user’s fingertips. Touching a sensor allows the measurement of ECG and PPG waveforms.
The tracking of one’s own physical activity with mobile devices is a way of monitoring and motivating oneself to remain healthy. Older adults’ general use of mobile devices for physical activity tracking has not yet been examined systematically. The study aimed to describe the use of physical activity trackers, smartwatches and smartphones, or tablets for tracking physical activity and to examine the reasons for the use of these technologies. Methods
Participants aged ≥50 years (N = 1013) living in Switzerland were interviewed in a telephone survey. To address the research questions, we calculated descriptive frequency distributions, tested for differences between groups, and performed logistic regression analyses. Results
Descriptive and multivariate analyses showed that (a) 20.5% of participants used mobile devices for physical activity tracking; (b) men, younger individuals, those with a strong interest in new technology, and those who frequently exercised had a higher likelihood of using mobile devices for physical activity tracking; and (c) participants more often agreed with reasons for use relating to tracking physical activity and motivating oneself to remain healthy than they did with reasons relating to social factors. Conclusions
The study presented representative data about the actual use of mobile tracking technology in persons over 50 years of age. Today, mainly active and younger elderly (mostly men) with a high interest in technology are using tracking technologies. Results indicate a need for further studies on motivational and usability aspects regarding the use of mobile health tracking devices by older adults.
The world of wearables is set to change in the coming years. We already know that the market is set to double by 2021, but that market is also huge – there are smartwatches and hybrids and hearables and smart clothing. Which ones will rise to the top, and which ones will fall to the wayside?
A new big of research from IDC sheds some light. The biggest loser is expected to be fitness trackers, which are easily attainable – especially in emerging markets – but will be cannibalized by the increasing focus on smartwatches. There’s a reason why Fitbit is going big on the Ionic, after all.
Suunto might be best known for its feature-packed sports watches but it also made the decision to open its sensor-packed Movesense hardware and software platform so other developers could build the tech into their own products.
The first round of Movesense-powered devices are set to be unveiled at CES 2018 in January and we’ve got the lowdown on the ones that will take wearable form.
One of the first companies to embrace Suunto’s Movesense platform is Finnish based startup All in One who’s launching the Ain1 Balance wearable designed for patients and athletes. The device, which can be used for both coaching and rehabilitation is worn to capture data and accurately monitor the user.
The trick in accurately tracking a person with this method is finding out what kind of activity they’re performing. Whether they’re walking, driving a car, or riding in a train or airplane, it’s pretty easy to figure out when you know what you’re looking for.
The sensors can determine how fast a person is traveling and what kind of movements they make. Moving at a slow pace in one direction indicates walking. Going a little bit quicker but turning at 90-degree angles means driving. Faster yet, we’re in train or airplane territory. Those are easy to figure out based on speed and air pressure.
Last week Japanese sports apparel company ASICS announced the launch of its new mobile fitness app, ASICS Studio. The app gives users access to on-demand workouts, including trainer-led audio, curated playlists and visual cues.
The company aims to replicate workouts at boutique fitness classes. The workouts have all been created by professional trainers and are paired with a curated music playlist that complements the tone and energy of the workout.
… Design-wise it’s identical to what came before it, so what’s new to distinguish it over the cheaper, still very capable HERO5 Black?
The resolution and frame rate jumps are the most headline-grabbing feature bump. Capturing 4K at 60 frames and 2.7K at 120 frames is pretty fantastic for this tiny camera, and the quality you can get from pulling in 1080p footage at 240fps for buttery smooth slow-mo opens up a lot, creatively. This doubling in frames is opened up by the 6’s custom-designed GP1 chip, which also lets the camera reach a wider dynamic range than previous cams and improve low-light performance (even though there’s still room to grow there).
This camera does offer some notable improvements besides slapping higher frame rates on 4K video. The digital image stabilization is perhaps one of the biggest stars of the HERO6 — it’s surprisingly great. It’s not a miracle worker for hopelessly bumpy footage, but it does show off some magic with source video that was by no means stable in the course of shooting without making it feel unnatural. For current owners, the stabilization is one of the most notable upgrades.
Valencell, the leading innovator in performance biometric sensor technology, today announces its plan to debut new software and hardware technology, as well as new use cases in conjunction with its strategic partners at the Consumer Electronics Show 2018 (CES 2018). Wearable biometric sensor technology is being integrated within many different types of devices beyond just smartwatches and sports earbuds, including construction hardhats, virtual reality (VR) solutions for pain management in healthcare, and long-haul trucking solutions to combat drowsy driving.
Bontrager has spent a lot of time thinking about rider safety as they’ve developed their growing range of visibility-enhancing products. Rather than embracing the prevailing wisdom around visibility – lights on at night, hi-vis gear at all times – Bontrager worked in partnership with the Visual Perception and Performance Lab at Clemson University to develop best practice recommendations to help cyclists increase their detectability.
Crucially, these recommendations acknowledge that to understand how to increase the safety of cyclists, you first need to understand a driver’s visual perception. And once you’ve understood that, you’ve got a much clearer idea of what you need to do to increase the likelihood that you’ll be seen.
What they came up with was deceptively simple – indeed, as simple as ABC.
I recently noticed that a colleague, CyclingTips business development manager Andy van Bergen, had unhooked the Boa wires on his shoes and criss-crossed them over in lieu of their usual parallel paths across the top of his shoes. It looked like a mistake. When asked if it was done on purpose, he just jokingly replied, “All the cool kids are doing it.”
However, Andy couldn’t tell me why he did it. Only that “it’s different.” And so the curiosity within grew. What’s the reason people are doing this? Does it actually do anything? And are there any issues in doing it?
I reached out to Scott Mavis, VP of marketing at Boa, for answers.
After a holiday season full of celebrations, now is the perfect time to lace up those running sneakers and start logging some miles.
But don’t forget to also slip on some high-performance sport socks, which are engineered with specific materials and technologies to improve your run. Whether you’re a seasoned racer or a first-timer making a New Year’s resolution, check out these eight sock styles crafted to help you go faster, longer.
With the Brooks Levitate RS the Brooks Running Company wants to reinvent individuality in running shoes. Together with SuperFeet and HP the US company strives for perfect fitting footwear for everybody.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of load carriage on the kinematics and kinetics of the ankle and knee joints during uphill walking, including joint work, range of motion (ROM), and stance time. Fourteen males walked at a self-selected speed on an uphill (15°) slope wearing military boots and carrying a rifle in hand without a backpack (control condition) and with a backpack. The results showed that the stance time significantly decreased with backpack carriage (p < .05). The mediolateral impulse significantly increased with backpack carriage (p < .05). In the ankle joints, the inversion-eversion, and dorsi-plantar flexion ROM in the ankle joints increased with backpack carriage (p < .05). The greater dorsi-plantar flexion ROM with backpack carriage suggested 1 strategy for obtaining high plantar flexor power during uphill walking. The result of the increased mediolateral impulse and inversion-eversion ROM in the ankle joints indicated an increase in body instability caused by an elevated center of mass with backpack carriage during uphill walking. The decreased stance time indicated that an increase in walking speed could be a compensatory mechanism for reducing the instability of the body during uphill walking while carrying a heavy backpack.