Samsung and University of Michigan’s Exercise & Sport Science Initiative Team Up to Bring More Advanced Smartwatch Technology to Runners

Study to Provide Insights and Lessons on Sweat Loss and VO2 Max to Runners Leveraging Galaxy Watch Features

Samsung Electronics and the University of Michigan Exercise & Sport Science Initiative (ESSI) have launched a research partnership to explore smartwatch technology to help runners manage their health and physical activity by providing more reliable data and more precise.

The Michigan Performance Research Laboratory (MiPR) – ESSI’s primary research laboratory – will oversee an eight-month study that uses the Galaxy Watch series to estimate VO₂ max and sweat loss of participants during their race. The study will compare baseline data¹ against smartwatch data from indoor (treadmill) and outdoor running tests over different distances, from 2.5 km to 20 km.

Photo copyright: University of Michigan Regents. Eric Bronson/Michigan Photography

Runners of all levels face sweat loss, dehydration and heat management, especially during the summer months. Teams from Samsung and the University of Michigan hope the study results will further improve smartwatch technology, giving runners more accurate measurements of their health metrics to help them address these issues.

Samsung chose the MiPR Lab for this study due to its established relationships within the wearable technology industry and running community, as well as the unique skills of its researchers. Co-investigators Adam Lepley, associate director – research; Alexandra DeJong Lempke, associate director – academics; and Ken Kozloff, co-director of ESSI, bring expertise in sports medicine, running injuries and performance, wearable technology, and applied/translational research. The ESSI MiPR Lab collaborated with the University of Michigan Athletic Department, several professional sports organizations, and industry leaders to derive meaningful insights from wearable technology that can be applied to sports and exercise.

“Samsung is committed to providing more meaningful health insights through our collaborations with industry leaders and academic institutions,” said Hon Pak, Vice President and Head of Digital Health Team, MX Business at Samsung Electronics. “We are excited to partner with the University of Michigan’s Exercise & Sport Science Initiative, experts in the fields of fitness and sports health, to bring even more meaningful information to runners who rely on the Galaxy Watch series for their precision and customization. motivation.”

“For the Michigan Performance Research Laboratory, the opportunity to work with Samsung and leverage the advanced sensors and health and wellness trackers of one of the most popular smartwatches lends added credibility to our research,” Kozloff said. “It’s exciting to participate in a study that has a positive impact on our community, and we have received an overwhelming response from subjects looking to learn more about themselves and apply to their training.” »

Participant registration and data collection are already underway thanks to an enthusiastic response from local runners. “Ann Arbor is home to a strong running community, with community runners all the way up to Olympic contenders,” Kozloff says.

The recently launched Samsung Galaxy Watch6 and Galaxy Watch6 Classic feature personalized fitness coaching, advanced sleep management and health monitoring to keep users motivated and focused on their goals.² For runners, the new Personalized Heart Rate Zone feature³ provides five optimal running intensity levels based on individual physical abilities, allowing them to set goals based on their own abilities. Additionally, Track Run helps runners record their runs on a running track. During a run, Galaxy Watch provides in-depth analysis, including asymmetry, regularity and ground contact time, to help improve performance and reduce injuries.

¹ Original version of the Galaxy Watch₂ Peak and sweat loss measurements were compared to CPET (cardiopulmonary exercise test) and weight change, respectively.
² Intended for general wellness and fitness purposes only. Not intended for use in the detection, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring or management of any medical condition or disease. Any health information accessed through the Device and/or App should not be considered medical advice. Users should seek medical advice. Some features may vary by market, carrier or paired device.
³ To update the ranges of each heart rate zone for running based on cardiopulmonary capacity, it is necessary to run outdoors for more than 10 minutes at a constant speed of 4 km/h or more .