Apple Watch and other smartwatches are pretty bad at measuring calories

A study by the University of Quebec in Canada calls into question the accuracy of smartwatches and other wearable technologies. In the study, in which 30 men and 30 women aged 25 years, participated, the body data of the participants were measured while doing different activities. In the research; Apple Watch Series 6, Polar Vantage V and Fitbit Sense were used, and measurements were made by wearing a Polar H10 chest strap and MetaMax 3D spiroergometry to the participants. The results will upset any device.

Devices fail to measure calories

The research was published in the European Journal of Sport Science, and the results upset every device. Apple Watch Series 6, Fitbit Sense and Polar Vantage V perform poorly in measuring calories in all 5 different activities. The researchers recommended that healthcare professionals, athletes and coaches, and general athletes not use the calorie data measured by these devices. Stronger by Science magazine, on the other hand, turned the research into a simple chart, dividing the performance of the devices by activity.

In addition to criticizing general wearable technologies, there is some part of the research that will please Apple Watch owners. According to the research, Apple Watch Series 6 performed more accurately than Polar Vantage V and Fitbit Sense in measuring heart rate in all activities. In addition, all devices have been very successful in counting steps. As wearable technologies are constantly evolving, these problems will decrease in the coming years.