Health - All Content | Garmin Blog: Recent Episodes
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It’s that time again: You need to spend what’s left in your flexible spending account (FSA). We’re still a couple months away from the end of the year, so there’s no better time to start planning how to use up your FSA dollars.
An eligible Garmin product might be the perfect way to do that.
What is an HSA or FSA?Health savings accounts (HSAs) and FSAs are two types of tax-advantaged plans that allow you to set aside pretax money to pay for certain medical costs. With an FSA, you must spend the money within the year, while funds in an HSA belong to you — regardless of how much you spend at the end of the year.
Can you use HSA/FSA dollars to buy Garmin products?
The short answer: Yes; however, it’s limited to eligible products including smart scales and monitors.
How does this work?It’s as easy as adding the device to your cart. Just make sure you only have HSA/FSA-eligible products — like those smart scales and monitors — in your cart when you check out. If you want to buy a watch to track your health, that needs to be a separate purchase (but one we highly recommend).
What products can I buy?
The following products are eligible for an HSA/FSA purchase: Index BPM smart blood pressure monitor, Index S2 smart scale, HRM-Fit, HRM-Pro Plus, HRM-Dual and HRM-Swim. Let’s break them down.
Index BPM smart blood pressure monitor1: This FDA-cleared medical device, featuring an all-in-one design, delivers blood pressure and heart rate readings. You can optionally sync with the Garmin Connect app, add up to 16 user profiles and share reports with your health care provider.
Index S2 smart scale: This sleek scale will show your weight, weight trend, body mass index, body fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass, bone mass and body water percentage. Plus, you can sync your data to Garmin Connect.
HRM-Fit: Designed for women, this heart rate monitor with up to one year of battery life clips onto medium- and high-support sports bras. It captures running stats, including vertical oscillation, ground contact time balance, stride length and vertical ratio, transferring data to your compatible Garmin smartwatches, Edge® cycling computers and apps. Don’t have your watch on? It also tracks steps, calories burned, intensity minutes and all-day heart rate2.
HRM-Pro Plus: This heart rate monitor captures running stats, including vertical oscillation, ground contact time balance, stride length and vertical ratio, sending data to your compatible Garmin smartwatches, Edge cycling computers and apps. It provides up to one year of battery life, plus it has a tool-free battery door.
HRM-Dual: Get real-time, heart rate data sent to your compatible Garmin smartwatches, Edge cycling computers and apps with this monitor that has a battery life of up to 3.5 years. Oh, and the strap is washable.
HRM-Swim: This monitor has a nonslip strap and is specifically designed for swimmers. Once you’re out of the water, it sends data, including real-time heart rate, interval summaries and stored heart rate to your compatible devices.
Ready to take the next step to improving your health and make the most of your savings? Browse our collection of HSA/FSA eligible products.
1See instructions for use. Index BPM is a stand-alone medical device that measures and displays blood pressure and pulse rate. Index BPM is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and it is not intended for use by children under the age of 18. Index BPM is not available in all regions; see availability.
2See Garmin.com/ataccuracy
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Smartwatch health data enables collaborative dialogue between patients and caregivers.Smartwatches and fitness trackers have become essential tools in the field of remote patient monitoring (RPM), and Garmin is at the forefront of this industry transformation. Packed with health and wellness features, Garmin smartwatches are easy to use and comfortable to wear, which encourages patient participation and adherence. Powered by the Garmin Health Connected Ecosystem, Garmin smartwatches can capture comprehensive patient data 24/7, enabling healthcare providers to identify patterns that help provide a holistic view of a patient’s health. The ability to continuously collect patient data enhances the granularity of this vital information to support personalized healthcare interventions, encourage collaboration and improve the patient’s healthcare journey.
Garmin Smartwatches Seamlessly Integrated for Enhanced Patient CareGarmin Health is committed to seamless integration. Through the Standard SDK, Garmin smartwatches can be directly integrated into RPM applications, enabling access to health and fitness data and allowing configuration of device features to meet the program’s requirements. This allows smartwatches to become not only data sources but also play an essential role in the collaborative dialogue between patients and caregivers. The goal is an elevated standard of care, where insights from smartwatches empower healthcare providers to make informed decisions and patients to actively participate in their well-being.
The Garmin Health integration capabilities have already facilitated the development of exemplary solutions, offering a glimpse into the vast potential achievable with smartwatch technology:
Supporting Patient Care with Medixine’s Remote Monitoring SolutionWhat is the goal? In response to the global challenge of chronic conditions and illnesses, Medixine offers an RPM solution that aims to enhance patient outcomes while minimizing costs and recognizing the significant impact on individuals and society.
What is the solution? At the core of Medixine’s approach is the Medixine Suite, a user-friendly platform that seamlessly connects software with various measurement devices. This integration facilitates the smooth exchange of essential health data between patients and their healthcare professionals. Medixine Suite’s design supports the management of a range of diseases and conditions, utilizing diverse medical devices and wearables such as fitness trackers and smartwatches. This system has been adopted for RPM services in Europe and the United States, and operators include Linde and Roche Diagnostics.
How Garmin factors in: Garmin smartwatches and fitness trackers play a key role in capturing valuable activity and sleep data1 from individuals managing chronic illnesses. This data helps empower healthcare professionals to better understand each patient’s health status.
Future-ready Medical Care: Qurasoft’s SaniQ RPM PlatformWhat is the goal? Qurasoft aims to revolutionize healthcare by helping address challenges such as cost pressures, doctor shortages and demographic trends. Its RPM platform seeks to contribute innovative solutions to help enable future-ready medical care, particularly for chronic patients.
What is the solution? SaniQ, Qurasoft’s RPM platform, integrates a patient app, external measuring devices and web-based practice software. Using the SaniQ platform enables doctors and medical professionals to log vital signs in real time, communicate digitally (via chat and video consultation) and manage medication digitally. The telemonitoring solution aims to provide clinically relevant data to support informed medical care and potentially reduce in-person patient visits and procedures.
How Garmin factors in: Garmin smartwatches seamlessly integrate with SaniQ, allowing the devices to capture patients’ real-time vital signs from their homes. This data, including heart rate1, step count, Pulse Ox (SpO2), heart rate variability (HRV) and respiration rate, is transmitted directly to the SaniQ platform, providing healthcare professionals with 24/7 insights. Collaborative success stories include Telementor COPD, a study focused on helping prevent exacerbation of COPD, a common lung disease.
Remote Patient Monitoring with vitaleraWhat is the goal? An innovative wearable-enabled solution from vitalera (formerly HumanITcare) and VitalAire Brazil aims to support early detection of health issues for long-term oxygen therapy patients.
What is the solution? Vitalera and VitalAire Brazil are using Garmin smartwatches and fitness trackers on the VitalSign project to continuously monitor patients while providing personalized care and treatment plans.
How Garmin factors in: The integration of Garmin technology into vitalera’s platform sets a new standard in personalized care. Explore details in the vitalera blog post here.
Optimising Cardiac Health with Movn HealthWhat is the goal? Movn Health supports patients who have experienced a recent cardiac event by seeking to reduce anxiety and aid recovery through a virtual care model. Their mission is to create opportunities for heart health improvement and through that, more fulfilling lives for patients, regardless of their circumstances.
What is the solution? The solution offers Virtual Cardiac Rehab, RPM, and Chronic Care Management through user-friendly technologies. By combining a dedicated care team, remote monitoring, and coaching, it seeks to optimize heart health and reduce the likelihood of future events or rehospitalization. Patients receive care from home via one-on-one and group video appointments. Equipped with a comprehensive care kit, including Garmin Venu Sq smartwatches, patients can manage their heart health program from nearly anywhere.
How Garmin factors in: Garmin is integral to the solution through smartwatch integration with the dashboard via the Garmin Health API. With the app loaded and running on a compatible smartphone, continuous monitoring of heart rate, exercise, SpO2 and steps connects data directly to patient charts. Alerts for out-of-range values warn patients during exercise. Real-time data sharing between Garmin devices and the platform supports the mission of improved heart health and exercise outcomes for patients.
Embracing the Future: Garmin Smartwatches and the Evolution of Digital HealthThe synergy between smartwatches and collaborative platforms transcends traditional boundaries, allowing healthcare professionals to envision a future where patient care is dynamic, proactive and deeply personalized. Embracing the evolving healthcare landscape, Garmin smartwatches have the potential to contribute to a future where remote patient monitoring seamlessly integrates into daily life.
Want to learn more about Garmin Health in RPM or in general healthcare? Visit the Garmin Health solutions page for more information or contact us here if Garmin wearable technology and the Garmin Health Connected Ecosystem could play a vital role in your next project.
1Garmin devices are not designed or intended to monitor or diagnose diseases or any medical conditions. Find information on metric accuracy here.
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A winning strategy together with Garmin Health based on the pioneering example of the handball club, FRISCH AUF! Göppingen.The ever-evolving technology field allows us to gather data-rich insights into our health, providing us with ways to optimize various aspects of our day-to-day lives. In particular, we can harness these insights for decision-making when it comes to our health and fitness. With numerous sports clubs now recognizing the potential of utilizing health metrics, including steps, heart rate1, sleep and stress, athletes are benefiting from tailored training programs to enhance their physical and mental health and performance.
A Game-changing PlatformThe XPS Network coaching platform from Sideline Sports has proved to be a pivotal player in a recent collaboration with Garmin and professional handball team FRISCH AUF! Göppingen, where Garmin provided discounted products to the Team for the collaboration. The platform allows the team’s coaches to create and communicate training plans, monitor and analyze training data, make data-driven coaching decisions and give instant feedback to players.
Through a seamless integration with the Garmin Health Connected Ecosystem, the XPS Network collects data captured by the Garmin Forerunner® 955 smartwatch worn by the players. This is fed into the XPS Reports feature, which shows a multitude of health metrics, particularly:
- *Sleep Tracking:* Monitoring total sleep is vital for identifying the need for regeneration in players.
- Heart Rate Variability (HRV): HRV allows coaches to monitor how the training input is working for the athletes. A low HRV might be a sign of problems with a player’s overall physical and mental condition. Along with other actions, reducing training load can be taken to increase HRV.
- Stress Tracking: Coaches are able to assess each player’s stress levels. High stress levels during training are necessary for positive adaptation mechanisms, but permanent elevated medium- and low-level stress values suggest negative influences, so coaches and staff can seek to alleviate this negative stress when necessary.
- Running Dynamics: For special issues such as return to sports/play or the development of a more efficient running technique, ground contact time and stride length are observed.
Monitoring these metrics through morning reports gives coaches a clear view of where opportunities lie to optimize training for individual performance requirements.
A Real-world Success StoryBoasting eleven German championships, two European Cup (Champions League) victories of the national champions and four European Cup victories, FRISCH AUF! Göppingen has earned respect and market significance on the national and international handball map. The club had two main goals when beginning their journey with Garmin and XPS Network. Firstly, to optimize their players’ performance by adapting their training load with health data shown in XPS Reports. Secondly, to reduce the frequency of injuries and illnesses.
By objectively recognizing signs of fatigue or nonoptimal performance conditions via the XPS Reports tool, coaches can intervene and make tactical changes to players’ training load.
The graph above shows sleep data from a player who was attending the European championships. The data shows that total sleep was down during this period, highlighting the need for adequate regeneration time upon their return.
This graph shows strong variation in this player’s HRV, suggesting that this particular regime is not suitable. Training load needs to be reduced and regeneration provided.
Using the Garmin Forerunner 955 has proven to be a success, not only with the coaches, but also with the players, illustrated by the compliance of using the watch:
“I use the watch every day and night because I get an overall look about my body, regenerations and the sleep. It helps me and the coaches to plan and structure the exercises during the exercise and after it. In my opinion the best smartwatch I’ve ever used.”
— Tim Kneule, Team Captain
“I use the Garmin watch for many things in my everyday life. At first for all my athletic sessions to see how effective the trainings were, to see the rest times I need to take. Secondly, I track and monitor my sleep to get an overview about my ability to recover and therefore see my readiness for training. Thirdly, I use the data about my heart rate variability to see if I’m doing well.”
— David Schmidt, Right Back Player
The Advantage of Using Garmin HealthGarmin was the clear choice in this collaboration from both a hardware and software standpoint. This application called for robust wearables made to the highest-quality standards, the ability to withstand daily use as well as hard strength-training sessions. Additionally, the Garmin Health API and Activity API offer insight into a great number of variables, resulting in a comprehensive overview of each player. Ultimately, this is used to help athletes to stay healthy, perform well and develop further, which in turn, benefits the performance of the team as a whole.
The Future of Athletic PerformanceWith innovations in fitness technology always on the horizon, the ways in which sports teams can understand the health, fitness and performance of their players will only continue to grow. Furthermore, this technology can be applied across the spectrum of sports, including basketball, field hockey, soccer, tennis, volleyball, floorball and more, pushing the boundaries on the potential these players can reach.
All images provided by Jan Reusch, FRISCH AUF! Göppingen
Find out more about the capabilities of fitness solutions with Garmin Health, and get in touch today.
1See Garmin.com/ataccuracy. Garmin smartwatches are not designed or intended to monitor or diagnose diseases or any medical conditions. Find information on metric accuracy here.
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INDUSTRY: EDUCATIONLOCATION: River Falls, WisconsinESTABLISHED: 1874WEBSITE: uwrf.eduSTUDENT PARTICIPANTS: 7,800+NUMBER OF WEARABLES: 7,800+
THE OVERVIEW The University of Wisconsin-River Falls is using Garmin smartwatches along with the Garmin Health API and the Motion Connected platform to help provide a picture of students’ health. EARLY FINDINGS The combination of Garmin smartwatches and Motion Connected enables students to better understand the difference between busy and active moments, empowering them to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives.
College Students Use Garmin Watches to Make Healthier ChoicesWith the help of Garmin, students are on the move at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
The Wisconsin college has teamed up with Garmin Health, a leading provider of digital health solutions that leverage the data and insights of Garmin products1 and Motion Connected, an online engagement platform that pulls data from smart devices.
The goal? To help provide a picture of each student’s health and encourage them to make personalized lifestyle modifications. Since fall 2017, each semester approximately 700 UW-River Falls students sport a vívosmart® 5 or vívosmart® 4 for a required physical education course.
The course requires students to reach 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity per week. It also analyzes the physiological consequences of decisions related to the six dimensions of wellness — social, physical, mental/emotional, intellectual, career and spiritual — as well as health-related components of physical fitness.
Early participant feedback suggests that the combination of Garmin smartwatches and Motion Connected enables students to better understand the difference between busy and active moments, empowering them to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives, as evidenced by averaging 177 minutes of weekly activity in fall 2023.
The core of this collaboration lies within the integration of the Garmin Health API, which sends Garmin watch data to the Motion Connected platform for the instructor to view. Thanks to the Garmin Health API and the rich sensor data generated by Garmin devices, UW-River Falls can contribute to the success and wellbeing of its students.
For more information, visit Garmin.com/health.
“The reliability of Garmin devices and sensor data separates Garmin as a game-changing solution for the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. More than 7,800 students have been positively influenced throughout the duration of the program.”
–JODEE SCHABEN, HEALTH AND HUMAN PERFORMANCE ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT UW-RIVER FALLS
Download the Research StudyLearn More About Garmin Health*1 See Garmin.com/ataccuracy*
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The Pulse Oximetry, or Pulse Ox, feature on Garmin smartwatches can offer insights to help support overall well-being.Whether you’re an athlete striving for peak performance or an individual focused on overall wellness, the Pulse Ox feature1 on compatible Garmin smartwatches can provide valuable insights into your body’s blood oxygen levels. By estimating how much oxygen is in your bloodstream as it travels around your body, Pulse Ox readings can help indicate whether the cells in your body are getting the oxygen they need to function properly.
Also known as SpO2, Pulse Ox uses Garmin sensor technology to help you track your blood oxygen saturation levels both while you’re awake and during sleep. As you breathe, your lungs extract oxygen from the air, which then enters your bloodstream and circulates throughout your body with each heartbeat.
Various factors such as altitude, physical activity and individual health conditions can influence Pulse Ox readings, but medical experts at the Mayo Clinic state that healthy blood oxygen saturation levels often range from 95% to 100%. Pulse Ox readings below 92% may be considered low, according to Yale Medicine, and low readings can be associated with a range of health issues that may require diagnosis and treatment by a healthcare provider.
While your Garmin smartwatch is not considered a medical device and is not intended for monitoring of medical conditions, the Pulse Ox feature can provide valuable data for those pursuing an active lifestyle.
Want to learn more about Garmin Pulse Ox technology? Visit our health science page. Shop Garmin smartwatches that have Pulse Ox capabilities.
1This is not a medical device and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or monitoring of any medical condition; see Garmin.com/ataccuracy. Pulse Ox not available in all countries.
The post Understanding Pulse Ox on Your Garmin Watch: What Is It and How Does It Work? appeared first on Garmin Blog.
The Garmin ECG app enables users to check for signs of AFib and share each recording as a PDF with doctors. That allows Randy Houser to feel more in control of his condition.As a longtime fan and authorized dealer of Garmin products, Randy Houser has come to expect a wide range of fitness and wellness smartwatch features. But he never imagined that his new epix Pro (Gen 2) watch would work hand in hand with an app that could inform him of a potentially dangerous heart condition known as atrial fibrillation1, or AFib. Thanks to the Garmin ECG app and its ability to detect AFib, Houser says he has been able to stay one step ahead of his condition.
Why was the ECG app valuable to Houser? On multiple ECG recordings, the ECG app detected signs of AFib, an irregular heart rhythm that occurs when the upper and lower chambers of your heart are not beating in sync. In Houser’s case, he began experiencing dizziness and a tight chest while running or riding his bike. He recorded his heart rhythm using the ECG app when experiencing an episode. Houser recalled his first AFib result as he trained for the California International Marathon.
“I felt good until I got super lightheaded. I checked my watch and saw my heart rate was just sky high, so I stopped and started walking,” he said. “When I got back to my truck, I sat down and tried out the ECG app. Sure enough, the result indicated the presence of AFib. I synced the result using the Garmin Connect app on my smartphone, and the really cool thing is you can save the ECG recording as a PDF. I bike with my family doctor a lot, so I just texted it to him, and he’s like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ He was surprised with the reading because I had done blood work and tests and nothing came up. I seem to only get AFib when I’m physically active.”
Houser says the ability to detect AFib using the ECG app on his smartwatch gives him peace of mind and a better understanding of his condition. The ECG app is available on compatible Garmin smartwatches and can yield five different results — sinus rhythm, atrial fibrillation, heart rate too high or too low to check for the presence of AFib, and inconclusive. Learn more about Garmin ECG app results here.
After his AFib specialist reviewed his ECG app results, Houser was then provided with additional clinical testing that led to his AFib diagnosis.
“You’re wearing your watch on your wrist all the time and so when (AFib) happens, I’m able to record it and share the data as needed,” Houser said. “I can also go back into Garmin Connect and look back in time — four weeks, seven days, a year — and (review my ECG App results). To me, that’s really important. It’s neat having the ability to check out my heart rhythm and record it from my wrist.”
Houser, the owner of Legends Running Shop in Angola, Indiana, estimates he currently uses at least a half dozen Garmin products, including the epix Pro (Gen 2), Edge® 1040 Solar, HRM-Pro Plus, Varia UT800 Smart Headlight, Varia RCT715 Radar Camera Tail Light and Forerunner® 945 LTE.
“I’d probably say that I’m a Garmin fanatic, yes,” Houser said. “Most of my workers here have Garmin watches too. I just think there’s a reason Garmin is the benchmark. With every iteration, there’s more cool stuff such as LiveTrack, Garmin Pay or the ECG app. It’s always amazing to discover all of the new stuff coming down the pipeline.”
Want to see what the ECG app can do for you? Check out compatible Garmin smartwatches and find the one that’s right for you.
1The ECG app is only available on select Garmin smartwatches with the latest version of the Garmin Connect smartphone app and watch software. The ECG app is not available in all regions; see Garmin.com/ECG for availability. The ECG app is not intended for use by people under 22 years old. With the ECG app, a compatible Garmin smartwatch is capable of generating an ECG similar to a single-lead electrocardiogram.
2The ECG data displayed by the Garmin ECG app is intended for informational use only. The user is not intended to interpret or take clinical action based on the device’s output without consultation of a qualified healthcare professional. The ECG waveform is meant to supplement rhythm classification for the purposes of discriminating AFib from normal SR, and it is not intended to replace traditional methods of diagnosis or treatment.
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Read our new edition of the Garmin Health Research Glimpse, a journey into the realm of health and clinical research, focusing on the essential yet often overlooked aspect of human well-being — sleep. As we delve into the significance of sleep research, we’ll explore how Garmin is at the forefront, contributing invaluable insights to various studies that aim to unlock the mysteries of sleep and its impact on our health. We’ll explore the impacts of social media detox on sleep in teenagers, a comprehensive investigation into university students’ sleep behavior across the semester using Garmin smartwatches, the detrimental influence of esports on sleep duration and stress levels, and the ability of consumer-grade devices such as the Garmin vívosmart® series to replicate medical device sleep-actigraphy (analyzing sleep movement via wearables to get objective data about sleep patterns) results.
Why Sleep Matters:
Sleep, a fundamental pillar of health, plays a crucial role in physical, mental and emotional well-being. Research has shown that adequate, quality sleep is linked to improved cognitive function, emotional resilience and overall better health outcomes. As we navigate through the intricate landscape of sleep studies, it becomes evident that understanding sleep patterns is not only key to enhancing daily performance but also holds the potential to unveil solutions for myriad health challenges.
How Garmin Factors in:
Garmin maintains a strong dedication to health research, with the Garmin Health Connected Ecosystem serving as an important asset for advancing scientific exploration. The data collected through Garmin smartwatches and fitness trackers, coupled with the powerful Garmin Health SDKs and the Garmin Connect Developer Program, facilitates comprehensive monitoring of various health metrics. From tracking sleep patterns to assessing stress levels and heart rate1, Garmin devices provide researchers with a wealth of information, contributing to a deeper understanding of the intricate interplay between sleep and overall well-being.
Impact of Social Media Detox on Sleep in TeenagersThe Study:
This teen-focused intervention study was conducted with a national cohort of teen girls to explore the impacts of social media detoxes. During a 12-day period, comprising 4 days of pre-intervention, 4 days of intervention (detox) and 4 days of post-intervention, the teenage girls completed either a full or partial 4-day detox of all social media platforms. Over this period, the teenage girls wore Garmin fitness trackers and provided self-reported measures to comprehensively grasp their experiences with the social media detox.
How Garmin Factors in:
Participants wore the Garmin vívosmart® 4 fitness tracker for 12 days in order to collect the following: (1) stress, (2) sleep quality and quantity, and (3) heart rate variability. The data from the Garmin fitness tracker was used to analyze averages and changes across participants’ experiences on the detox, specifically comparing their heart rate/stress/sleep on the detox to the pre- and post-intervention periods.
The Result:
The study reveals a complex relationship between reduced social media usage and its effects on individuals, with both quantitative and qualitative data uncovering diverse impacts across participants. Notably, participants exhibited diverse changes in heart rate, sleep patterns and stress levels following the intervention, with variations observed in both the magnitude and direction of these impacts. While the majority experienced extended sleep durations during the detox period, a significant subgroup displayed decreased sleep, suggesting a nuanced interplay between social media engagement and adolescents’ well-being. These findings underscore the need for personalized approaches in understanding the diverse experiences of individuals when it comes to managing social media use for improved well-being.
Additional resources:
Connected Learning Alliance Blog
PhysioQ Article
Spectrum News
The Doctors Segment
The Social Media Well-Being Experiment – Labfront
Garmin Fitness Tracker Allows for Lower-cost Alternatives for Sleep Tracking StudiesThe Study:
This study assessed whether an affordable consumer fitness tracker, Garmin vívosmart 4, could replicate sleep-actigraphy results traditionally obtained from medical devices such as Actiwatch 2 and Motionlogger. Sleep actigraphy is the use of wearable devices to conduct objective assessments of sleep patterns by monitoring movements during both sleep and wakefulness, facilitating research into sleep behaviors and dynamics.
How Garmin Factors in:
The Companion SDK enabled the research team to extract raw accelerometer data from vívosmart fitness tracker, which in turn allowed the team to analyze this data with two different methods for sleep patterns. This analysis was then used and compared to results from medical devices to see how accurate they were in detecting when someone was asleep or awake.
The Result:
The sleep/wake classifications derived from the vívosmart 4 closely matched those from the medical devices, demonstrating consumer fitness trackers can provide comparable sleep actigraphy data to medical devices. With the Labfront platform and the Garmin enhanced actigraphy feature on affordable devices such as the vívosmart® 5, researchers now have a lower-cost method to collect robust sleep actigraphy data.
Additional resources:
Replicate Motionlogger results with a Garmin smartwatch | Labfront
Replicate Actiwatch results with a Garmin smartwatch | Labfront
Obtaining Actigraphy Sleep Report Using Garmin Wearable Devices and Labfront App | medRxiv
TUM Student Sleep Monitoring – University Student Sleep: Does It Change Across the Semester?The Study:
This pilot project collects data from undergraduate and graduate students to better understand student sleep behavior by gaining more insights into the daily variations and longitudinal trends across the semester. The aim is to obtain data from 50 students.
How Garmin Factors in:
During this 18-week study, participants’ Garmin smartwatches, such as Venu® 3, vívoactive 5 or Forerunner® 265, will be used to prospectively record sleep quantity and quality. Additional objective information, including stress level, students’ daily step counts and women’s menstrual cycle, will be measured and help to provide an overall picture of students’ sleep behavior and associated factors.
The Goal:
The team at the Technical University of Munich hopes to use the data collected to help identify periods where university students are especially vulnerable to problematic sleep. This information is of great importance for developing adequate interventions to promote healthy sleep in students within the university setting.
Influence of esports on Sleep and StressThe Study:
The study conducted at the University of the Bundeswehr Munich explores the rising trend of esports, focusing on its impact on sleep and stress levels. Recognizing the comparable psychophysiological demands between esports and traditional sports, such as cognitive flexibility, decision-making under pressure, fast reaction times or high hand-eye-coordination, the investigation aims to understand the influence of gaming on sleep and stress.
How Garmin Factors in:
A Garmin fēnix® was used to assess individual sleep and stress parameters while participants completed both a gaming and a non-gaming session on two consecutive evenings.
The Result:
It has been demonstrated that gaming significantly reduces sleep duration and leads to a considerable accumulation of stress. Consequently, from a health perspective, the need for tailored sleep interventions and stress-coping strategies for both professional and recreational esports players is further underscored. With the assistance of Garmin smartwatches, insights into sleep patterns and stress levels can be obtained, enabling esports enthusiasts to better understand and address the impact of gaming on their health and empowering them to develop personalized strategies for improving sleep and managing stress effectively.
Additional resources:
Influence of esports on Sleep and Stress | Zeitschrift für Sportpsychologie (hogrefe.com)
Could Garmin wearable technology and the Garmin Health connected ecosystem play a vital role in your next health or clinical study? Contact us today to find out more.
Alternatively, if you want to learn more about related projects, visit www.garmin.com/third-party-studies-overview for more research projects with Garmin Health. In addition, all information on research and clinical trials can be found here.
1See Garmin.com/ataccuracy
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A good night’s sleep makes everything better. Sleep is a vital time of restoration and rejuvenation. It is only when you are asleep that your body can reach the peak of its recovery powers.
Unless you’ve been sleeping under a rock, this is old news. It is hard to miss the tide of interviews and articles from sleep experts, influencers and health professionals praising the benefits of a good night’s sleep. Sleep has a universally favorable approval rating.
Making good sleep a priority is one of the most rewarding decisions you can make for your health and personal well-being. It is the great multiplier, supporting you even as you try to improve other aspects of your life.
The American Heart Association recently highlighted a year-long study that explored the relationship between personal sleep habits and adherence to a lifestyle-oriented weight loss program. Individuals with better sleep habits were more likely to attend program meetings regularly, follow daily calorie intake goals and increase their daily physical activity.
Understanding Your SleepKeeping tabs on your sleep and developing good sleep habits is easier than ever thanks to an ever-growing number of insights available on your Garmin watch. These insights go beyond simply marking when you sleep and how much you sleep. Garmin sleep score, sleep coach, Body Battery energy monitoring and overnight heart rate variability (HRV) interpret your sleep1 and reveal how sleep impacts other aspects of your daily life.
Curious about how sleep impacts your fitness and performance? Sleep score provides a foundation for training readiness, a popular feature on Garmin running and outdoor watches, designed to scientifically assess your readiness to benefit from intense training sessions. And an especially good sleep score can shave hours off your current recovery time estimate, thanks to the restorative power of sleep. You may also see recovery time recommendations increase after a particularly bad night. Still, despite the evidence contained in our morning reports, it is easy sometimes to reject the notion that our sleep habits are holding us back. Our lives are comprised of routines. Choices we make in the moment always seem to make sense at the time. Habits, good and bad, are built over time. Meaningful lifestyle changes can be difficult even when you are highly motivated.
This is where a longer-term perspective can come in handy. Looking back at your sleep patterns over the past four weeks or even the past year can be an eye-opening experience. The kind of experience that makes a difference.
Lifestyle Insight for Improving Your Sleep QualityOnce you crawl into bed, there isn’t much you can do to improve your sleep. How well you sleep (or don’t) is largely the result of steps taken throughout the day and even longer periods of time. The following insights will boost your understanding of how lifestyles choices ultimately impact your sleep quality.
Wake up for better sleepYou might be surprised to learn that setting the stage for a good night’s sleep starts first thing in the morning. This is what experts call your circadian rhythm. Your circadian rhythm is your body’s internal clock, following a roughly 24-hour cycle that influences practically every cell in your body and is accompanied by physiological, mental and even behavioral changes.
Try to wake up at the same time every day. Open the curtains to let natural light into the room as soon as you wake up. A regular wake time and morning light exposure combine to amplify the signal that your day has begun, anchoring your circadian rhythm in the process. For the best results, also try to get outdoors for a brisk walk or light exercise in the morning.
Eating for better sleepFrom your body’s perspective, your meal doesn’t end when you finish your last bite and get up from the table. Digestion takes time, and your body is affected by the process. The work of digestion can impact your sleep quality. Ideally, your last heavy meal should be at least 2-3 hours before bedtime. Spicy and acidic foods can be especially challenging for good sleep due to an increased likelihood of acid reflux, heartburn and indigestion.
If you are hungry before bed, try sticking to yogurt, fruits, nuts and light snacks. Oatmeal is another popular option, easy on your stomach and containing magnesium and melatonin, two ingredients frequently found in sleep supplements.
Drinking for better sleepProper hydration is a cornerstone of good health. Drinking water before bed? The results are mixed. Some find that it helps them sleep, while for others it simply means needing to visit the bathroom in the middle of the night.
Beverages that contain caffeine and alcohol can have a profound effect on sleep, each in a different way. Caffeine is a fast-acting stimulant that perks you up and makes it hard to fall asleep. With a half-life of between 3-5 hours, the influence of caffeine on your central nervous system takes a while to wear off. If you struggle to fall asleep, it might be worth trying to limit coffee, tea and caffeinated soda to the morning hours.
Alcohol has a much more complicated relationship with sleep. For starters, alcohol can help you fall asleep faster, especially if you don’t consume alcohol regularly. The problem is that even moderate quantities of alcohol can disrupt your sleep cycles and ruin your sleep quality. You’ll probably also notice a lack of REM sleep on nights you consume alcohol. And the effects of alcohol are particularly easy to spot in your sleep score, Body Battery, overnight HRV and training readiness. Seeing the effects of alcohol in this way can be a real eye-opening experience.
Exercise for better sleepRegular exercise can improve both sleep quality and duration. Well-timed moderate-to-vigorous exercise of at least 30 minutes during the day can help you fall asleep faster. However, it is generally a good idea to avoid hard exercise close to bedtime because your body doesn’t go straight back to normal when you press stop on your activity. Elevated post-workout energy levels don’t just challenge your ability to fall asleep. They also can increase stress levels during sleep and reduce sleep quality for many hours after you do manage to sleep.
If you find you need to schedule a late-evening workout, opt for more relaxing activities. Consider recording a yoga or Pilates session to do something positive for your health without putting a good night’s sleep at risk. And while breathwork may not qualify as exercise, breathing activities send a powerful message through your nervous system that it’s time to relax, making the transition to sleep easier.
Finishing strongLike how you start your day, your evening routine plays an essential role in preparing your body and mind for quality sleep. Recall that a consistent schedule and light exposure help tune your body’s internal clock and keep your circadian rhythm aligned. These details combined with an understanding of how eating, drinking and exercise affect sleep quality put you on a path that will turn your sleep habits into a personal advantage.
Try to go to bed at roughly the same time each night. And make sure your sleep schedule will give you an adequate sleep duration, typically between 7 and 9 hours each night. Give yourself time to wind down before bed and avoid bright lights later in the evening.
Blue light and white light that contains blue light can be especially disruptive when trying to maintain the benefit of a strong circadian rhythm. Many phones, tablets and other screens have a setting to reduce blue light emissions if you must use your electronic devices before bed.
Still Struggling with Sleep?And finally, if you’ve tried these tips and still struggle with falling asleep, staying asleep or waking up feeling refreshed, don’t hesitate to seek help from a health care professional. They can evaluate underlying medical conditions, such as sleep apnea or insomnia, and recommend appropriate treatments to improve your sleep quality and overall well-being.
1See Garmin.com/ataccuracy
The post Start Sleeping Better Today, Not Tonight appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Using Garmin smartwatches, researchers have found that tracking activity levels in cardiovascular patients can help lead to better self-reported quality of life.The German Heart Centre in Munich, in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich (TUM), is at the forefront of cardiovascular care, particularly when it comes to congenital heart defects (CHDs). The two institutions have been using Garmin watches to monitor physical activity in patients for years, beginning in pediatrics with the Garmin vívofit® jr. fitness tracker and transitioning more recently to vívofit® 3 and vívosmart® 5 for adults.
Initial studies conducted with children using the Garmin vívofit jr. found that wearing comfortable, easy-to-use activity trackers resulted in 88.1% of study participants meeting the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 60 minutes of physical activity per day. This success led to further research into how physical activity is related to the quality of life in children with CHDs. Ultimately, children who are more physically active report better overall quality of life. Every minute of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was associated with a 1% increase in reporting a better quality of life.
Leading this research charge is Professor Jan Müller, whose research focus centres around vascular stiffness as a key cardiovascular risk factor, while underscoring the health benefits of establishing physical activity early in life for overall well-being.
“To ensure the best long-term outcomes and improve patients’ quality of life, it’s crucial to adopt a holistic approach to their health,” says Müller. Studies have shown that almost all patients with congenital heart defects can engage in the same recommended activity levels as everyone else — a fact that, combined with what the team has learned regarding better quality of life, makes it vital to be able to track this activity with Garmin smartwatches.
Below, Müller discusses his work with the German Heart Centre and TUM, and the pivotal role Garmin plays in these research projects.
Q: What are congenital heart defects?Congenital heart defects are heart or nearby blood vessel issues present from birth, often emerging during early pregnancy. They range from mild to life-threatening, potentially needing surgery and long-term care. Advances in medical technology have boosted survival and quality of life for individuals with CHDs, resulting in a thriving CHD community. Given the chronic nature of these conditions, lifelong care is vital, spotlighting the significance of ongoing research.
Q: What data from Garmin smartwatches helps inform your research?When looking at physical activity in patients with CHD, the central parameter for our research is movement: steps and activity minutes. In intervention studies with movement components, both heart rate for training control and cardiac arrhythmia play an important role with regard to patient safety. Lack of exercise is an important, if not the main, risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. Fitness trackers and smartwatches prove valuable, because they are cost-effective, durable and provide more reliable data compared to questionnaires. This is particularly beneficial to secure funding in scientific research, given their affordability and demonstrated effectiveness in numerous studies.
Q: Can you explain the significance of movement data in relation to your work with CHD patients?The data on movement is of central importance for us and the clinical management of patients with congenital heart defects. This is due to the life expectancy of patients improving massively and diseases of the cardiovascular system becoming relevant for this population. Through large-scale studies, we are increasingly more able to understand the topic of exercise and find ways and means to increase the level of exercise in a targeted manner.
Q: Could you elaborate on the advantage you’ve identified in using Garmin fitness trackers?A decisive advantage that has come from the study is the discovery that individuals can take part in studies on movement without being stigmatised by bulky medical-grade accelerometers used in previous studies. In addition, the ability for individuals to connect their fitness trackers via Fitrockr, a leading platform solution for wearable health data research, allows for the direct synchronisation of data in a cloud — which is invaluable for further scientific evaluation.
We chose Garmin because it was the only company that offered a fitness tracker specifically for children with the vívofit jr. and its subsequent models. These are also very well-received by children and young people, who wear them willingly. In previous studies on movement, the accelerometers we used were not attractive and were worn around the waist like a belt. This was not only awkward to use but it was often difficult for the participants to explain why they were wearing the device without addressing their illness. A chic and subtle fitness tracker is not unpleasant in this respect and doesn’t stigmatise chronically ill patients while wearing it in their everyday lives.
Q: Looking ahead, what do you see as future developments in the research of patients with congenital heart defects and physical activity?We have now collected activity data for more than six years and know a lot about the general exercise behaviour of our patients. In the future, it will be important to break this down more precisely: at what time of day is someone active, and on which days. Only then will it be possible, and this should also be our aim, to increase activity behaviour with personalised interventions. The technical possibilities for this are only available now — not six years ago when we started measuring.
Could Garmin wearable technology and the Garmin Health Connected Ecosystem play a vital role in your next health or clinical study? Contact us today to find out more.Alternatively, if you want to learn more about related projects, visit www.garmin.com/third-party-studies-overview for more research projects with Garmin Health. In addition, all information on research and clinical trials can be found here.
Garmin devices are not designed or intended to monitor or diagnose diseases or any medical conditions. Find information on metric accuracy here.
The post Increased Physical Activity Improves Quality of Life in Patients with Congenital Heart Defects appeared first on Garmin Blog.
New data shows Garmin customers work year-round to meet their goals — no New Year’s resolutions needed.The champagne has been popped and Auld Lang Syne has been sung. Now what? Many people use this time as an opportunity to set new goals but before you get too focused on how to change your habits, let’s take the time to appreciate how far you’ve come. Because we happen to think that Garmin customers were pretty great to begin with.
Take 2023, for example. As with years past, we decided to take a deep dive into the data collected in the Garmin Connect app, a tool used by millions of fitness lovers worldwide to track just about every health and fitness metric you can think of. And, as suspected, Garmin customers don’t need a holiday to serve as a reminder to continue to beat yesterday. You all spent the entirety of 2023 pushing yourselves to achieve new goals, and the numbers show it.
So, yes. Let’s use this time as a reminder to keep aiming for bigger and better. As an athlete, you already know you need a foundation to build on, so rather than getting too crazy about completely changing who you are, let’s look at your successes from 2023. Because data doesn’t lie — and Garmin customers clearly don’t need a holiday to remind them to put in the work.
Top Activities of 2023As a group, you completed more of nearly every activity you’re passionate about than you did in 2022 — but some, of course, stand out more than others. Based on total activity counts, here’s how Garmin users moved the most this year:
- Running
- Walking
- Cycling
- Strength Training
- Indoor Cardio
Didn’t see your preferred fitness routine included? Don’t worry — we’ve got plenty more data where that came from. Keep reading to learn which of our activity categories showed serious growth in 2023 as compared to 2022. Spoiler alert: It’s most of them.
RunningYear after year, the numbers tell us the same thing: Garmin runners are not to be trifled with. Whether you’re hunkering down during a global pandemic, adjusting to life back at the office again or simply maintaining the status quo on your daily routines, you constantly find the time to log more runs. On the treadmill or on the trail, in the house or out in the wilderness, 2023 running activities show dramatic increases over 2022. Luckily, the Forerunner® 265 and Forerunner® 965 series launched early in 2023, providing serious runners with all of the Garmin features you’ve come to know and love, complete with bright AMOLED displays — all the better to quickly glance at your watch as you blaze right past those personal records.
CyclingSome people enjoy peacefully sitting outside to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature — other people prefer ripping through it in pursuit of that next personal record. Looking at the 2023 increases in outdoor cycling over 2022, you can guess which category Garmin cyclists fall into. You all left your limits in the dust, whether that was grinding on gravel or putting that eBike to the test on the nearest mountain range, and you let your Edge® cycling computers guide the way.
That’s not to say that everyone simply took their ride outside, though. Even with steep increases in those exploring the great outdoors, indoor cycling still saw a boost too — and we’re here for it. Whether you’re in the market for an indoor trainer as the temps drop or you plan to keep grinding through whatever the January and February weather throws your way, Garmin has the gear to support your ride.
WalkingIf you prefer to keep the pace a little slower — or if you just need a bit of recovery exercise after all the running and cycling — you’re not alone. Garmin customers took 7% more outdoor walks in 2023 than they did in 2022. That doesn’t just mean you were working on your step counts. More walking also likely means more time spent out in your communities, more fresh air, more focus on your mental health — and ultimately, it probably led to better Body Battery and sleep score numbers.
Fitness EquipmentWe have to ask — have y’all been working on upping your home gym game, or did Garmin users seriously amp up the gym subscriptions this year? Either way, the spikes in training using fitness equipment were impressive. Overall, you logged 19% more activities using fitness equipment in 2023 than you did last year, and that growth represents multiple different categories of activity — HIIT, the elliptical, stair climbing, indoor rowing. The next time you are in a large gym, take a look at all the exercise options around you. Chances are Garmin users spent more time on just about every piece of equipment you see.
With a Garmin smartwatch, though, a fancy gym is completely optional. All it takes is a body and a Garmin watch, and you’ve got access to endless guided workout options to work any muscle group you want, at any intensity you prefer. (OK, maybe not endless options — but if you get through the more than 1,600 exercise options for one activity type alone, then let us know. We’re sure we can come up with something.)
Yoga Is there anything more relaxing than yoga? A 23% increase in time spent on the mat could mean up to 23% more sessions where you were likely experiencing a bit of both mental and physical growth, and whether that was in solo practice or in a class surrounded by other yogis, we’re 100% proud of the dedication.
If you want to see how yoga is improving other aspects of your life, we’d recommend Venu® 3, one of our 2023 launches that boasts up to 14 days of battery life, allowing you to keep your watch on your wrist at night rather than the charger. You won’t just know how much you slept — you’ll know the quality of it, as well as what tends to drain and charge your body’s energy.1
PilatesYou tracked 48% more Pilates sessions across the globe in the past year — and that’s after a 38% increase in 2022 and a 108% increase in 2021. This likely has a lot to do with the animated, on-screen workouts offered on compatible Garmin smartwatches. You can either select a premade workout within the Garmin Connect smartphone app, or you can create your own and send it directly to your watch. Whether you’ve got an hour to spare or only 15 minutes in between meetings, Garmin watches offer the ability to make the most of your time — and your movement — in whatever way feels good to you.
Learn more about how to access Garmin workouts directly on your wrist here.
BreathworkGarmin customers are breathing in, breathing out, breathing in, breathing out … 33% more than they did last year (or at least completing intentional breathwork activities 33% more than they did last year). Not familiar with the feature? How many times has someone told you to simply take a deep breath when something was upsetting you or stressing you out? While it can be frustrating in the moment, that advice is actually centered around science. If you can get your respiration and heart rates under control, you’ll likely be able to think a little more clearly.
But if centering yourself in those moments of chaos isn’t necessarily your strong suit, compatible Garmin smartwatches come equipped with the breathwork activity profile, which allows you to practice three different breathing techniques — tranquility, coherence, or relax and focus — to help calm your heart rate and change your stress levels. Tranquility is designed to help get you ready to go to sleep, coherence should help you to feel balanced and calm rather than overly excited, and relax and focus is, as you may have guessed, meant to help you achieve a state of concentration.
HikingNobody needs to tell Garmin customers to take a hike — you all do a great job of getting out there and doing that on your own, and you do it more and more each year. (We bet that fēnix® 7 Pro, with up to 37 days of battery life using solar charging, helps quite a bit.) With fans all over the world, we’re always fascinated (and often jealous) to see which views you’re chasing with a Garmin on your wrist. Be sure to tag us on social media @garminoutdoor if you think you’ve found a particularly good one.
MultisportAhh, our multisport activity fans — likely most commonly known as triathletes, although you can also use this activity profile to complete brick, custom, duathlon and swim-run workouts. Because sometimes, one sport at a time just isn’t enough. You all are a crazy bunch, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. With the level of drive required here, it’s no surprise to see that you kicked it into even higher gear in 2023. With 18% more multisport activities this could mean up to 18% more sweat — and possibly up to 18% more blood and tears as well. Any rest days you took over the holidays were very likely well deserved.
TennisGame, set, match — Garmin customers played 76% more tennis in 2023. That could mean up to 76% more serves, up to 76% more returns and (hopefully) at least some decrease in chasing after rogue tennis balls. We bet your backhand is killer.
Water SportsIs your local pool feeling a bit more crowded than it used to be? You may have Garmin customers to thank for that. As a group you all logged 10% more lap swimming — that’s a lot of additional time spent in the water.
If you’re more interested in the kayaking and surfing side of things, we had major growth in those categories as well. Kayakers logged 17% more activities in 2023, whereas surfers hit the waves 22% more times.
ClimbingA fear of heights seems to be a rarity for many people with Garmin smartwatches. Whether it’s bouldering (up 68% from last year) or indoor rock climbing (up 62%), it’s safe to say that Garmin users like to climb things.
EsportsIf it’s surprising to you that esports is an activity profile, that’s likely because you aren’t familiar with the stressors of the virtual gaming world. Competition is fierce, and players who aren’t focusing on optimizing their body’s performance are not likely players who are winning. Compatible Garmin smartwatches come equipped with an esports activity feature that provides relevant health metrics directly on your wrist, and the Garmin GameOn desktop app enables you to sync your PC so you can view them on screen as well. Knowing how your body reacts before, during and after your match is crucial to understanding how to better your game in the future.
Horseback RidingWe typically think of New Year’s resolutions to hit the gym more often, but many of you were clearly more focused on hitting the stables. Garmin customers completed 30% more horseback riding sessions in 2023 than in 2022. And while we can’t speak for your horses, we bet the extra time spent with them had myriad mental health benefits as well as physical ones.
Didn’t see your preferred activity included above? Garmin smartwatches come equipped with so many activity profiles it’s impossible to include them all but suffice it to say that you all continue to put the technology we build to good use. Whether it’s diving to new depths with the Garmin Descent lineup, reaching new heights with our aviation smartwatches or getting the whole family in on the fun with Bounce for kids, we always consider it a privilege to be along for the ride. So cheers to you and cheers to the records we know you’ll break in 2024 — we can’t wait to see what you’ll do next.
1See Garmin.com/ataccuracy
The post 2023 Garmin Fitness Report appeared first on Garmin Blog.
HumanITcare and VitalAire Brazil are using Garmin wearables to help revolutionize remote monitoring of patients who rely on long-term oxygen therapy, potentially resulting in timely interventions and personalized care — all from the comfort of patients’ homes.
A recent collaboration between connected health company, HumanITcare, and global leader in service and support for home oxygen therapy, VitalAire, a segment of Air Liquide in Brazil, and Garmin, a global leading provider in smartwatches, has made waves in the monitoring of patients with chronic diseases. The project, VitalSign, focuses on VitalAire’s goal of effectively monitoring and treating patients undergoing long-term oxygen therapy at home, ultimately allowing for timely interventions and personalized care. Continuous accessibility to track patients’ vital health metrics is made possible by the utilization of the Garmin Venu® Sq smartwatch and the integrated Garmin Health SDK.
A Groundbreaking CollaborationThe team at VitalAire Brazil was looking for a comprehensive and interoperable remote patient monitoring platform that allowed for continuous monitoring vital signs, including heart rate¹ and oxygen saturation levels² and detecting possible decompensations through AI. This data potentially could help with the early detection of any potential health issues in chronic respiratory diseases. The interoperable API solution offered by HumanITcare delivers exactly this kind of a comprehensive platform which is also considered a medical product and additionally offers communication channels with patients as a secure chat, push notifications with patients and an integrated care solution. The platform can be seamlessly integrated with smart devices, in this case, the Venu Sq smartwatch.
HumanITcare also leveraged the Garmin Health SDK to ensure compatibility between the Venu Sq and their healthcare monitoring platform. This integration enables seamless access to the data collected on the smartwatch, allowing users to conveniently view and manage all their health information within the platform. Moreover, the user can chat with the medical team and receive feedback from them remotely.
Empowering Patients and Healthcare Professionals with Garmin TechnologyThe Garmin Venu Sq was chosen as the device of choice for VitalSign project for numerous reasons, including:
- The range of health data available for collection, such as oxygen saturation, heart rate monitoring and physical activity tracking
- The suitability of the smartwatch for chronic disease patients, especially regarding ease of use and comfortable wearability
- The high-quality standards and reliability in tracking health metrics that Garmin smartwatches and fitness trackers are known for
When worn by patients, the Venu Sq smartwatch collects the relevant health data, which is wirelessly transmitted to a centralized HumanITcare medical AI platform. Here, healthcare professionals can access and analyze it. This allows for continuous monitoring and can help in the early detection of any potential health issues.
The collected information is readily available on VitalAire’s dashboard records system, providing easy access for healthcare professionals. The combination of Garmin’s advanced technology and HumanITcare’s platform enhances the quality of care and empowers both patients and healthcare professionals in the remote monitoring process by using AI.
A Combination for SuccessOverall, the combination of Garmin tracking capabilities and the comprehensive remote patient monitoring platform offered by HumanITcare enables VitalAire Brazil to monitor chronic disease patients and offer personalized care.
Moreover, this technology can be utilized in various healthcare settings, including home care, telemedicine, chronic disease management and post-operative monitoring. By leveraging the capabilities of Garmin smartwatches and fitness trackers, patients are provided with a seamless and convenient experience, enabling the patients to receive care while maintaining their daily routines.
“Our collaboration with Garmin revolutionizes remote patient monitoring, enabling continuous tracking of vital signs through their innovative wearables and quality data. By leveraging the Garmin technology and health insights, we offer an AI based solution that enhances patient care, improves outcomes and promotes proactive healthcare management. Together, we are shaping the future of personalized health, providing a new standard of care and convenient healthcare for patients around the world,” said Nuria Pastor, CEO of HumanITcare.
HumanITcare was a speaker at the Garmin Health Summit 2023 in Singapore. Further information and a review of this successful event can be found in our press release.
Want to learn more about related projects? Visithttps://www.garmin.com/health/ and check out the latest research projects with Garmin.
¹See Garmin.com/ataccuracy
²This is not a medical device, and data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked. Pulse Ox not available in all countries.
The post Revolutionizing Personalized Care with Garmin and HumanITcare appeared first on Garmin Blog.
By Ben Clark, Adapt to Perform CEO
If you’re a full-time wheelchair user looking for an enhanced fitness regimen, look no further. By switching on wheelchair mode in select Garmin smartwatches, you gain access to 31 preloaded wheelchair workouts, developed with wheelchair exercises crafted specifically for you by Adapt to Perform. Founded by Ben Clark, otherwise known as “The Wheelchair Fitness Guy,” Adapt to Perform is a trusted resource for adapted fitness that helps users around the globe step into a new era of diversity and inclusivity alongside the pursuit of a healthier lifestyle.
Below, Clark weighs in on using the Garmin wheelchair-specific workouts to stay fit and healthy, continuing his pursuit to help people of all abilities and backgrounds receive access to innovative ways to prioritize their well-being.
Practical Daily Exercises: Empowering Wheelchair UsersWheelchair-specific workouts have come to the forefront of fitness and now appear right on your wrist, and they’re changing the game for individuals with mobility challenges. Garmin has recognized the importance of inclusivity in fitness and has worked with us to incorporate our wheelchair-specific workouts into their smartwatches. This is making it easier than ever for wheelchair users to engage in daily exercises that cater to their unique needs.
These workouts not only promote physical health but also enhance mobility, strength and overall well-being. From cardiovascular exercises to resistance training, these wheelchair-specific workouts cover a wide spectrum of activities, ensuring that every user can find a routine that suits their preferences and goals.
Personally I love the HIIT workouts because they provide an excellent workout in a short time and are also a great way for us wheelchair users to achieve the fitness levels we desire. Combined with the yoga movements, you have a great, well-rounded routine.
Using Garmin Watches to Keep Track of Your Fitness JourneyGarmin watches are not just about tracking steps (and now wheelchair pushes!), they’re powerful tools for monitoring your fitness journey. Whether you’re walking, rolling or engaging in other activities, these devices provide detailed insights into your performance. Distance covered, calories burned, heart rate1 and even real-time GPS tracking are just some of the metrics you can monitor. This provides me with invaluable insights into my training and where I can adjust to maximize my time.
Furthermore, Garmin watches sync seamlessly with the Garmin Connect smartphone app, allowing you to visualize your progress, set goals and stay motivated. It’s like having a personal fitness coach on your wrist, guiding you toward your health and fitness aspirations.
Connecting with Your Community: Fitness Challenges and AccountabilityFitness is not a solitary journey — it’s a community-driven effort. The Garmin Connect app goes beyond just tracking your data; it connects you with like-minded individuals who share your fitness goals. Whether you’re using a wheelchair or not, you can join the community and engage in “fitness challenges” that promote healthy competition and camaraderie.
For wheelchair users, this is an excellent opportunity to connect with others who face similar challenges and triumphs. You can hold each other accountable, share tips and tricks, and celebrate your milestones together. The power of community is an invaluable resource on your fitness journey. It’s as easy as adding someone as your first Garmin Connect connection to get started.
Biometric Data Tracking Beyond ActivityFitness isn’t just about what you do during your workouts; it’s a holistic approach to well-being. Garmin recognizes this, and their watches provide biometric data tracking beyond activity. You can monitor your sleep patterns, stress levels and even hydration1. This comprehensive view of your health allows you to make informed decisions and take steps to improve your overall quality of life. Sleep is something I’ve struggled with in the past, but with my watch’s help, I’m getting in a better routine and realizing where I was falling short before.
Getting fit is a lifelong commitment, and Garmin is here to support you every step of the way. So why wait? Start your fitness journey today with Garmin’s inclusive approach to health and well-being. Whether you’re using their wheelchair-specific workouts, tracking your progress with watches, connecting with your fitness community or monitoring biometric data, the tools are at your fingertips to help you lead a happier, healthier life.
Interested in learning more about Adapt to Perform and their mission? Their latest campaign, Everyday Athlete, strives to champion wheelchair users in the pursuit of their fitness and wellness goals. See the Adapt to Perform website to learn more.
1See Garmin.com/ataccuracy
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Garmin has the perfect gifts for anyone’s list.What makes the perfect gift? An immediate ear-to-ear grin upon unwrapping? Jumping up and down? Maybe it’s all the above.
Whichever way you prefer to celebrate, Garmin has the perfect gift for anyone’s list.
Whether you’re shopping for the runner, cyclist, golfer, pilot or outdoor enthusiast in your life, our purpose-built products will help you find just the right present.
To chase their next PR:Forerunner 265® Series: GPS Running Smartwatches
For runners who want to train brilliantly, this smartwatch with a bright AMOLED display, training metrics and recovery insights will help them shine mile after mile.
Forerunner® 965: GPS Running Smartwatch
Some runners want to be recognized under the lights. Now they can take the podium with the bright AMOLED display, plus premium running and triathlon features.
To elevate their training:Edge® 540 Cycling Computer
Built with advanced navigation and adaptive coaching, this cycling computer helps riders go further and train harder.
Edge® 840 Solar Powered Cycling Computer
When they want to push through the long haul, they need this cycling computer with solar charging, advanced navigation and adaptive coaching.
To promote their healthy lifestyle:Venu 3 Series: GPS Smartwatches
They’ve got health and fitness goals and want an on-wrist coach to support them. These smartwatches come in two sizes and offer personalized wellness insights, fitness features and the ability to make calls and send texts with a compatible smartphone.
vívoactive® 5: GPS Smartwatch
They want to focus on their health with a smartwatch that has all the essentials. Packed with a variety of fitness features, a vibrant AMOLED display and an affordable price, this smartwatch is the one for them.
vívomove® Trend: Hybrid Smartwatch
For those who want a hybrid smartwatch that’s as stylish as it is smart. With a classic analog design and essential smart features, this watch delivers the perfect look around the clock.
Bounce: Kids Smartwatch
For parents who want to encourage healthy habits for their child and gain some peace of mind, this kids smartwatch texts and tracks1 — so they can breathe easy and stay in touch.
To unleash their inner explorer:fēnix® 7 Pro Series: Multisport Smartwatches
When athletes train for life, they need the ultimate multisport GPS smartwatches designed to help them perform all day, every day.
epix Pro Series: Multisport Smartwatches
There are athletes who don’t make compromises They need this multisport GPS smartwatch that helps them command everything they do.
Instinct® 2X Solar Series: Solar Powered Multisport Smartwatches
Their lifestyle is rugged and unique. This smartwatch helps them take on life’s unlimited possibilities with preloaded activity profiles, health metrics, an LED flashlight, solar charging and more.
inReach® Messenger: Satellite Communicator
For those who explore beyond the limits of cellular networks. This small, rugged satellite communicator2 has global two-way text messaging and interactive SOS alerts.
To dial in their game:Approach® S70 Series: Premium Golf Smartwatch
For the golfers who want to improve their game both off and on the course. These golf smartwatches with AMOLED displays have everything they need to get an edge.
Approach® R10: Portable Launch Monitor
They want to play golf from anywhere with a portable launch monitor3 and golf simulator. Here’s their chance to perfect their swing no matter where they are.
To steer them in the right direction:Dash Cam Live
For drivers who want a 24/7 live view from their dash cam when they’re away from their parked vehicle. This always-connected dash cam gives them peace of mind.
zūmo® XT2: Motorcycle Navigator
For those two-wheeled adventurers, here’s the rugged motorcycle navigator with a bigger, brighter screen that finds unforgettable routes and has group tracking capabilities.
To quench their love for the water:ECHOMAP UHD2: 6” Chartplotter
For boaters who want to know the water better than a local. This chartplotter provides clear, high-contrast views all around their boat with Garmin traditional, ClearVü and SideVü scanning sonars — plus wireless networking and built-in Garmin Navionics+ mapping.
STRIKER Vivid 4cv: Fishfinder with Transducer
For anglers who want to see what’s beneath the surface in clear, colorful detail. This 4″ fishfinder with included transducer is just the one.
inReach® Mini 2 Marine Bundle: Satellite Communicator Set
They love to cruise, sail and explore the open water. They need a compact GPS satellite communicator2 that can keep them in touch globally for up to 2 weeks.
quatix® 7X – Sapphire Solar Edition: Marine GPS Smartwatch
For the mariners who want to plot their paradise on the water and off it. Thanks to this GPS marine smartwatch with solar charging, they can.
To keep their head in the clouds:D2 Air X10: Aviator Smartwatch
This GPS smartwatch gives pilots everything they need — from aviation capabilities to health monitoring, plus the ability to take calls and send texts when paired to their compatible smartphone.
D2 Mach 1 Pro: Premium Aviator Smartwatch with Vented Titanium Bracelet
For pilots who want a premium GPS smartwatch with a built-in flashlight and the most advanced tools for flying — plus a long battery life and health and fitness features — this smartwatch will keep them on top.
Didn’t see the perfect gift? Don’t worry — there’s plenty more where that came from. Shop the Garmin website to find the perfect present.
1Active subscription plan and LTE connectivity are required.
2Active satellite subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices. It is the responsibility of the user to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the device is intended to be used.
3This device requires a paired compatible smartphone downloaded with the Garmin Golf app.
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The Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring system and your compatible Garmin smartwatch or cycling computer offer a comprehensive view of your body’s metrics using Dexcom apps available in Connect IQ.Being able to see your body’s metrics and trends can provide helpful insights to anyone interested in understanding their overall health and wellness, but for people with diabetes, it can be a valuable tool to help manage a disease with serious health implications. With the Dexcom Connect IQ apps1 and a compatible Garmin smartwatch, you can view glucose levels and trends along with your body’s other health metrics, like heart rate, Body Battery energy monitoring, stress score, steps taken, calories burned and even a sleep score — right from the same spot on your wrist.2
Glucose LevelsThere are two Dexcom apps for download via Connect IQ. Available for multiple Garmin smartwatches or cycling computers, the first Dexcom app lets you view your glucose levels at a glance from your Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring system, allowing you to see them alongside the rest of your body’s metrics all in one convenient location.3 And you don’t have to be looking at your connected smartphone to view it, either — the Garmin app for Dexcom can display glucose levels, trend direction and a 3-hour history of your glucose levels right on your smartwatch screen.
Glucose levels are visible both during your day-to-day routine and also during your workout. Whether you’re a runner, a cyclist, a hiker or a weight-lifting enthusiast, you can download the second Dexcom Data Field app, which allows you to add glucose levels as a data field on your compatible Garmin device when you’re tracking a specific activity. You’ll see your level and trend direction right on the screen (no swiping required) along with the other available metrics you track during that workout. If your glucose level starts to trend in the wrong direction, you’ll know, allowing you to do what you need to do to get it back on track.
Battery LifeIt can be a big advantage that your Garmin smartwatch can go so long between charges. Depending on what device you have, you’ll be able to wear your watch round-the-clock for weeks. The Venu® 3, for example, will last up to 14 days between charges. The Enduro 2 boasts an impressive battery life of up to 34 days in smartwatch mode, and you can add an up to an additional 12 days if you use the solar charging feature.
Less time on the charger means both less hassle for you and more time for your smartwatch to be doing its many jobs — which, in the case of the Dexcom apps, means more availability to view your glucose levels without needing to look at your smartphone.
The more you can make your technology work for you, the more effectively it may be able to help you manage your diabetes. To take full advantage of both your Dexcom glucose monitor and your Garmin smartwatch, visit Garmin.com/Dexcom to learn more about the Dexcom Connect IQ apps, or download the Dexcom and Dexcom Data Field apps now from the Connect IQ app.
1The Dexcom apps available for download via Connect IQ are only for secondary display of data from the Dexcom CGM system and are for passive monitoring purposes only. The Dexcom apps on Connect IQ are not intended to replace the Dexcom CGM System, nor replace self-monitoring practices as advised by a physician. All therapeutic decisions, including those regarding calculating insulin or other drug doses, should not be based on data displayed in the Dexcom apps on Connect IQ.
2Dexcom CGM system required for use
3Compatible smartphone must have a data connection and be in BLUETOOTH® range of both the Dexcom CGM and Garmin smartwatch or Edge cycling computer
The Bluetooth word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Garmin is under license.
Dexcom, Dexcom Follow, Dexcom Clarity, and Dexcom Share are registered trademarks of Dexcom, Inc. in the U.S., and may be registered in other countries.
The post How Garmin and Dexcom Work Together appeared first on Garmin Blog.
The Garmin Health Research Glimpse is our latest blog series exploring the ever-increasing presence of Garmin in the health and clinical research world. It will give an overview of how Garmin wearable devices and the Garmin Health Connected Ecosystem are being harnessed to provide vital data for clinical trials and studies around the globe 1. Whether it’s boosting mental health, improving surgery outcomes or enhancing results of physical activity, each post will delve into the aims and outcomes of the featured studies.
In this article, we’ll explore groundbreaking research utilizing these advanced tools, from exercise’s impact on mental health to sleep’s role in weight management. So how, exactly, is Garmin Health playing a part?
How Garmin Factors InAmong researchers, the Garmin Health Connected Ecosystem and its various devices have proved invaluable as a tool for collecting data in innovative studies surrounding both physical and mental health. Providing participants with Garmin smartwatches or fitness trackers allows a wealth of information to be easily collected, from tracking physical activity and sleep patterns to monitoring heart rate and stress levels. When paired with the Garmin Health Connected Ecosystem, consisting of the Garmin Health SDKs and the Garmin Connect Developer Programme, this data is readily available to read and analyze, shedding new light on a wide range of health and wellness topics. As a result, researchers have leveraged this to uncover new insights and improve our understanding of the human body and mind.
Precision Ageing: Developing More Effective Brain-aging TreatmentsThe study: This national research project is harnessing data from a cohort of approximately 3,000 older adults to better understand the link between mobility and cognitive brain aging. The team at Baylor College of Medicine hopes to use the data collected to help identify markers of accelerated brain aging to develop more effective treatments and interventions.
How Garmin factors in: The Garmin vívosmart® 4 fitness trackers worn by participants are used to prospectively record physical activities, sleep quality and physiological stress response. Using the Garmin Health API, this will provide a general picture about the individual’s mobility performance.
The goal: To link patterns of physical activity, sleep and stress with biomarkers of dementia, cognitive impairment and frailty in older adults. Earlier intervention using a more customized approach to care, rather than one-size-fits-all, could result in better patient outcomes.
Additional resources:
https://news.arizona.edu/story/uarizona-awarded-60-million-lead-precision-aging-network
https://www.bcm.edu/news/baylor-researchers-part-of-precision-aging-network
Digital Health Nudging in Young Cardiac PatientsThe study: This project at the German Heart Centre, Munich, is a unique, randomized controlled trial applying the concept of nudging from behavioral economics. Given their high risk for physical inactivity, especially through puberty, adolescents with congenital heart disease (CHD) were at the centre of the study.
How Garmin factors in: This 12-week study employed the Garmin vívofit® jr. 2 and the Garmin Connect API to measure participant’s daily physical activity levels and step count. Digital nudges in the form of images and text messages were sent to participants to encourage this daily activity.
The goal: The age-appropriate digital intervention, combined with innovative technology from Garmin, aims to engage young cardiac patients in their daily lives, encouraging increased physical activity.
Additional resources:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002870323000856?via%3Dihub
https://www.stiftung-kinderherz.de/was-wir-tun/unsere-foerderprojekte/sportprojekt-digital-nudging-muenchen
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04933786
How Does Music Influence Our Running Cadence?The study:This study explored the impact of a four-week music running program on participants’ running cadence, speed and heart rate.
How Garmin factors in: Equipped with a Garmin Forerunner® 645 Music and HRM-Dual heart rate straps, participants set out on a number of runs whilst listening to music with a rhythm surpassing their baseline cadence by 7.5-10%. The resulting running cadence, speed and heart rate were recorded to determine what effects, if any, the music had on these metrics.
The result: A significant and sustained increase in running cadence was revealed during and after the music intervention, while running speed and heart rate remained unchanged. These findings demonstrate that listening to music at a certain rhythm can effectively enhance running cadence, hereby potentially reducing the risk of injury without affecting the physiological demand placed on the body.
Additional resources:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17461391.2022.2042398
Development and Analysis of Population-Health Cohorts in Burkina Faso and KenyaThe study: This project investigates the health effects of climate change on vulnerable populations in rural areas of Burkina Faso and Kenya and semi-urban regions in Malaysia.
How Garmin factors in: Using the Garmin vívosmart® 5 fitness tracker, health parameters such as physical activity, sleep patterns and heart rate were monitored in real time via the Garmin Health Connected Ecosystem. This provided insights into how extreme weather events impact the daily lives and well-being of participants.
The goal: By correlating weather exposures with health outcomes, this innovative approach utilizing wearable technology addresses the urgent issue of climate change and its implications for global health. The collected data identifies groups at high risk of ill health and helps to inform tailored intervention strategies, especially in remote areas.
Additional resources:
https://cch-africa.de/population-cohorts/
https://ukhd.de/digitalGH
Examining the Effect of Mindfulness Meditation on Stress with Digital HealthThe study: This study looks at examining the impact of mindfulness meditation on stress using mobile health technology.
How Garmin factors in: Heart rate variability data obtained from Garmin vívosmart® 4 fitness tracker will be analyzed to investigate whether continuous meditation leads to changes in daily heart rate patterns. Additionally, Garmin data on sleep, step counts, real-time stress and activity levels, along with questionnaires on stress, exercise and sleep, complement the data collection. Both regular meditation practitioners and individuals without prior experience are included in the study.
The goal: The results of this study could potentially contribute to promoting wider adoption of meditation and fostering stress reduction, improved sleep and better overall health in society.
Additional resources:
https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/focus/en/people/k0001_01006.html
https://www.garmin.co.jp/news/pressroom/news2022-0802-garmin-health/
Could Garmin wearable technology and the Garmin Health Connected Ecosystem play a vital role in your next health or clinical study? Contact us today to find out more.
Alternatively, if you want to learn more about related projects, visit www.garmin.com/third-party-studies-overview for more research projects with Garmin Health. In addition, all information on research and clinical trials can be found here.
1See Garmin.com/ataccuracy
The post Garmin Health Research Glimpse: Unveiling Innovations in Health Science appeared first on Garmin Blog.
What if it were possible to predict and warn of depression like we forecast severe weather? Thunderstorms are not predicted by increases in thunderstorms, which is how we currently predict depression — by monitoring symptoms over time. But instead, meteorologists monitor features and environmental fluctuations, pointing to upcoming changes to inform the public so they can prepare for the coming storm. Similarly, researchers at Leiden University are monitoring multimodal data of participants to help identify early warning signs of depressive episodes with the goal to facilitate early, personalised prevention.
Predicting and Preventing DepressionDepression is a common and debilitating affliction. Given that only 50% of patients improve under initial treatment1,2, experts agree that prevention is the most effective way to change depression’s global disease burden. The WARN-D study, a 5-year research project led by Associate Professor Dr. Eiko Fried at Leiden University, is using the Garmin vívosmart® 4 fitness tracker to monitor 2,000 students in the Netherlands for warning signs of depression, which could lead to prevention in the future.
Studying can be a stressful time, and some students experience mental health problems such as depression during their education. To understand these stressors and experiences better, the study is one of the first in the world to really focus on the daily lives of students, using smartphones and Garmin fitness trackers as data collection tools. The collected data will help researchers to build the personalised early warning system WARN-D, which will be available for free as a smartphone app.
Garmin’s Role in Health and Activity MonitoringThe researchers follow the participants for years and try to predict upcoming depressive episodes based on the collected data. To do this, participants wear a Garmin vívosmart® 4 fitness tracker 24/7, answer daily questions on their smartphone for the first 3 months and sync their data using the Garmin Connect smartphone app. The Garmin Health API collects the data and transfers it to the research team via the Fitrockr platform. The vívosmart® 4 fitness tracker will record sleep phases and duration, activity, heart rate, stress, and Body Battery3. Researchers believe that sleep data, in particular, may be predictive of upcoming transitions into mental health problems.
For the researchers at Leiden University, Garmin offered an affordable technology package that supports compliance with strict European privacy laws, which is of vital importance with sensitive personal data.
About Fitrockr and Garmin HealthFitrockr is a product suite of Digital Rebels GmbH — a software company based in Berlin. Its research and analytics platform allows organisations to easily manage and synchronise Garmin smartwatches with access to high-resolution raw data, independent hosting, real-time data streams, and direct analysis and export. Fitrockr is one of the deepest integrated technology implementations of the Garmin Health API and SDK, providing Garmin Health corporate solutions since 2018.
For more information, visit Fitrockr at www.fitrockr.com or learn more about Garmin Health Enterprise Health Solutions at www.garmin.com/health.
Americas Garmin Health Research Grant Powered by FitrockrGarmin Health and Fitrockr are also proud to support innovative research through grant programs that provide the tools to conduct research studies based on health data from Garmin smartwatches. Whether it’s access to high-resolution raw data, independent data hosting or full wearable device control, Garmin products help advance health research fields in a sustainable manner.
Researchers can start applying for this grant on Sept 1, 2023. The deadline to apply is Nov 30 .
All grant winners will receive five Garmin wearables, three months of unlimited access to the Fitrockr platform for up to 50 users and a winner’s certificate.
Want to learn more about related projects? Then read this blog about how data from Garmin fitness trackers aid researchers in panic attack prediction.
Garmin devices are not designed or intended to monitor or diagnose diseases or any medical conditions. Find information on metric accuracy here.
1 Cuijpers, P., Karyotaki, E., Reijnders, M., & Huibers, M. J. H. (2018). Who benefits from psychotherapies for adult depression? A meta-analytic update of the evidence meta-analytic update of the evidence. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 6073, 1–40. https://doi.org/10.1080/16506073.2017.1420098
2 Khan, A., & Brown, W. A. (2015). Antidepressants versus placebo in major depression: An overview. World Psychiatry, 14, 294–300. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20241
3 See Garmin.com/ataccuracy
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Overwhelmed at the thought of figuring out your next workout? Let Garmin do the work for you with workout options available right on your compatible smartwatch. Even the most dedicated athlete will inevitably get stuck in a rut when trying to choose their next workout. And let’s be honest — we’ve all skipped one simply […]
The post How to Work Out with Garmin appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Project Chéria participants who tracked physiological data using Garmin smartwatches were less likely to report symptoms of major depressive disorder. According to a recent report by the World Health Organization, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a 25% rise in depression and anxiety worldwide. But the situation is not hopeless. A recent […]
The post Researchers Find Promising Link Between Garmin Smartwatch Data and Mental Health Outcomes appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Spoiler alert: Very few of you are getting excellent shut-eye.
Sleep is an essential bodily function that directly impacts both your mental and physical health. At this point, we all know we should be aiming for 7-9 hours each night — and we know how we feel when we cut ourselves short. But correcting less-than-stellar habits is easier said than done, and knowing that you finally decided to put the phone on the nightstand at 11 p.m. and didn’t touch it again until 7 a.m. may not be sufficient information to analyze what actually happened in those 8 hours.
Here’s where your Garmin sleep score comes in. Powered by Firstbeat Analytics, our science-backed health data platform, your compatible Garmin watch (if you wear it while you sleep) with advanced sleep tracking will use your heart rate, heart rate variability, respiration rate, body movement and other important data to assign you a sleep score each night. A number from 0-100, a high sleep score means you slept well and are ready to tackle the day. A low sleep score, on the other hand, may indicate that your day is going to be a struggle.
As is human nature, we like to know where we fit in. Are we sleeping better or worse than our peers? Below we’ll examine how well Garmin users slept in the fourth quarter — October, November and December — of 2022.
Average Sleep Score Quality
Each morning, you receive a sleep score on a scale of 0-100 that summarizes the previous night’s sleep. Based on your score, you’re assigned a ranking: Excellent (90-100), Good (80-89), Fair (60-79) or Poor (0-60). As you can see, scoring 90 or above is an achievement — and not many Garmin users are hitting it on a regular basis. Only 5 percent of Garmin users achieved an average sleep score in the Excellent category.
If you find yourself in the Fair category, it’s quite possible that you got good sleep most of the time, but a few restless nights threw you off. And if you averaged a sleep score below 60 over that period of time, it may be wise to start looking at ways to improve your sleep.
Average Sleep Score by Age
If youth is wasted on the young, let’s hope sleep isn’t. It’s not news that your sleep quality declines as you grow older, but thanks to advanced sleep tracking on Garmin watches, you can now quantify just exactly how much you can expect that quality to drop. The average sleep score for an adult in the 20-29 year old age range was 70, while it drops to 66 by ages 50-59 and anyone over 70 averages 61.
Average Sleep Score by Country
As a global company, we always like to look at how different areas stack up against each other. We examined a few of the locales where users really love tracking their sleep scores, and the above results show how the averages compare. And while not everything has to be a competition, we do wonder what the secret to superior sleep is in the Netherlands!
Average Sleep Score by Gender
We’ll spare you any age-old tropes here about the battle of the sexes, but in looking at the data, it appears females are sleeping (just slightly) better than males on average. Interested in learning more about how the features on Garmin smartwatches can help women specifically? Read this blog post.
Sleep Score and Hours Spent Sleeping
No surprises here — the more you sleep, the more likely you are to achieve a positive sleep score rating. Garmin users who slept less than 5 hours had no shot at achieving a sleep score in the Good range, and certainly not Excellent. Interestingly, though, sleeping too much can be a problem as well. Looking at the Poor scores, you can see that curve start to go back up once the user starts getting more than 9 hours of sleep. And the Excellent scores, few though they may be, show that 8-8.5 hours really is that sweet spot.
Interested in seeing where you fit in? All it takes is a flick of the wrist. After you get out of bed, click to the Sleep feature on your compatible smartwatch to see your sleep score, duration of sleep, amount of time spent in each sleep phase and even personalized insights about your night. This writer’s Fair sleep score of 75, for example, comes with a note that last night’s sleep was “shorter than ideal, calm” — and the 11:54 p.m. sleep start time makes it pretty obvious where the mistake was made. Note taken.
Don’t have a compatible Garmin smartwatch? That’s an easy fix. Click here to take one simple step toward better sleep.
The post New Data Examines Quality of Garmin Users’ Sleep appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Focus on women’s health has increased a great deal in recent years, and a collaboration between Labfront and Garmin Health is helping to support this research trend. As part of the joint Women’s Health Research Initiative, a research grant will be awarded to five researchers working on women’s health globally. Each grant will include five Garmin wearables and one year use of the Labfront platform to conduct a research project.
Researchers can start applying for this grant on March 8, 2023 (International Women’s Day). The deadline to apply is May 28 (International Day of Action for Women’s Health). The initiative aims to help bridge the knowledge gap in women’s health while working to improve outcomes for women all over the world.
Why Is Funding Women’s Health Research Important?There are significant differences in how women and men experience health conditions — for conditions common to both sexes (like heart disease and dementia) and those unique to women (like cervical, ovarian and uterine cancers). The majority of our knowledge of health and disease is based on decades of male human and animal research. It wasn’t until 1993 that the U.S. FDA reversed a 1977 recommendation that premenopausal women be excluded from clinical studies1. This failure to consider sex and gender in health research has resulted in a gap in knowledge and underfunding of women’s health research.
According to the WHAM research collaborative, only 12% of Alzheimer’s disease research focuses on women, even though two-thirds (66%) of all Alzheimer’s patients are women1, and although cardiovascular disease is the number-one cause of death for women in the United States, only one-third of patients enrolled in clinical trials are female2. Women experience 50-75% more adverse side effects from drugs3 and are more likely to die prematurely from preventable illnesses4.
Labfront and Garmin HealthBy investing in women’s health research, findings can lead to more practical applications and policy, with significant advancements in women’s health outcomes. Labfront’s global all-in-one research solution for real-world data capture advocates for better health for all, supporting women’s health as part of its social responsibility.
As part of the collaboration, Labfront will use the Garmin Health Companion SDK to provide researchers access to configurable logged data such as accelerometer data or beat-to-beat intervals. The chosen Garmin devices will be used as powerful data collection tools, capturing real-world data such as heart rate5, heart rate variability, step count, Pulse Ox, sleep, stress and more from participants. Combining the strengths of Garmin and Labfront will enhance the experience for researchers and make it easier than ever to collect and analyze physiological data.
Dr. Andrew Ahn, Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School and Chief Medical/Science Officer at Labfront said, “We are excited to work with Garmin Health to give researchers access to high-quality sensor data so they can better understand the diverse health experiences of women. By utilizing wearables in this way, we have the chance to make novel discoveries and insights that will ultimately benefit everyone.”
Future CollaborationThe collaboration between Labfront and Garmin brings together some of the industry’s best wearable devices with Labfront’s platform, designed specifically for the unique needs of researchers and organizations. In addition to the Women’s Health Research Initiative grant, Labfront has several ongoing research projects using Garmin Health APIs and Garmin devices, which can be found at https://www.labfront.com/case-studies.
1https://thewhamreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/TheWHAMReport_ADRD.pdf
2https://whamnow.org/#collaborative
3Do women have more adverse drug reactions? https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11770389/
4Government of Canada, Cervical Cancer. (2017) Available at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/chronic-diseases/cancer/cervical-cancer.html
5See Garmin.com/atacurracy
The post Garmin Health and Labfront to Award Research Grant for Women’s Health Researchers appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Garmin ambassador and Dexcom warrior Tiana Cooks pairs her Dexcom G6 with her Garmin Venu 2S to closely monitor her glucose levels while she trains.
For people with diabetes, being able to quickly view glucose levels is not only convenient — it’s critical.
“I need to keep my glucose in a certain range to feel like my best self and to be able to stay alive,” says Garmin ambassador Tiana Cooks, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2014. Cooks uses a Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) that pairs with the Dexcom app on her Garmin smartwatch1 to be able to monitor her levels simply by glancing at her wrist. This integration makes the tough days easier, says Cooks, but you don’t have to take our word for it. Below, Cooks answers a few questions about how the pairing of her Garmin smartwatch with her glucose monitor has changed her life.
Which Garmin smartwatch do you have? What are your favorite features?I use the Venu® 2S! I love this watch. Battery life, heart rate monitoring2 and Body Battery energy monitoring are a few of my favorite features. Because I am constantly charging my insulin pump, phone and other devices, it’s nice to have one less item to worry about. I can sleep with the watch on without needing to take it off for charging, which is a win.
What does it mean for you to be able to check your glucose levels with just a glance at your wrist? What was the process for checking them previously?Living with diabetes means that I need to know where my glucose levels are all day every day. It means I need to keep my glucose in a certain range to feel like my best self and to be able to stay alive. The ideal range for me is anywhere from 80 to 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). When I was first diagnosed, I used to prick my finger seven to nine times each day to test my blood glucose. Now that I have the Dexcom G6, I am able to monitor my glucose without needing to prick my finger. The Dexcom G6 is a continuous glucose monitor; it uses BLUETOOTH® to send the readings to my phone and my watch. Whenever I need to check my glucose, it is as simple as looking down at my wrist. I am so thankful for my Garmin! Having access to technology is something I will never take for granted.
Do you monitor your glucose levels closely during an activity? What other metrics do you like to pay close attention to?During an activity is when I notice my glucose is the most unpredictable and rapidly changing. In order to exercise, I need to pay attention to how many carbs I am consuming, how much insulin I intake and the intensity of the workout. These things all have the ability to impact my activity and my glucose levels. With my Garmin smartwatch, I am able to see how much energy I am exerting during an activity, which is helpful in predicting where my glucose levels might go.
Why is it important to be able to see the trend direction of your glucose levels as well as the 3-hour history?Being able to see the trend and direction of where my glucose is heading has enabled me to spend more days laughing, exploring and being active without having to stop and treat my glucose after it is too late. Correcting my glucose before my body starts to feel terrible has saved me lots of stress and provided me lots of freedom.
Can you speak to what it was like training for a marathon and having diabetes? How did your watch and the Dexcom integration impact your training?Training for a marathon is tough. Training for a marathon with diabetes is even tougher. My body burns glucose when I am active, causing my glucose to trend on the lower side. With the Dexcom and Garmin integration, I am able to monitor and consume carbs as needed while not needing to stop training to check my numbers. There are days when diabetes gets challenging and giving up seems like the best option, but the integration makes those tough days easier.
Interested in learning more about Tiana Cooks? Follow her Instagram account here. Ready to get set up with your Dexcom on your own Garmin smartwatch? Learn more here.
1The Dexcom apps on Connect IQ are only for secondary display of data from the Dexcom CGM System and are for passive monitoring purposes only. The Dexcom apps on Connect IQ are not intended to replace the Dexcom CGM System, nor replace self-monitoring practices as advised by a physician. All therapeutic decisions, including those regarding calculating insulin or other drug doses, should not be based on data displayed in the Dexcom apps on Connect IQ.
2See Garmin.com/ataccuracy
Dexcom G6 and Dexcom G5 Mobile are registered trademarks of Dexcom, Inc. in the U.S., and may be registered in other countries.
The Bluetooth word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Garmin is under license.
The post Using Dexcom and Garmin to View Glucose Levels at a Glance appeared first on Garmin Blog.
The worldwide smart and adjustable bed maker Ergomotion® has pioneered an app-based sleep ecosystem that connects Garmin smartwatches with adjustable beds to offer preventive self-care by balancing body, mind and spirit. Metrics from Garmin wearables are combined with data captured from smart sensors in the bed base to provide users with 24/7 health information and daily recommendations for improved recovery, sleep and overall health.
The ErgoSportive system includes an accompanying app that provides daily health updates, sleep tracking, personalised suggestions and music. This smart and adjustable recovery system is made possible through integration with the Health API, which feeds all-day health metrics from Garmin smartwatches to the ErgoSportive ecosystem. Garmin wearables are used to personalise feedback and maximise the use of the sleep system by using heart rate, respiratory rate, RMR calories, Body Battery and stress data.
“Ergomotion has been developing and creating innovations in sleep technology, and ErgoSportive is one more solution that leverages our beds as more than a piece of furniture, becoming a gadget with a direct impact on the body’s recovery and sleeps quality. This new era of the adjustable and smart beds is on the way to proffer an effective regeneration during the night and more energetic wake-ups,“ says Nuno Figueiredo, Ergomotion® Managing Director Europe.
The goal is to combine the data sets from two previously separate technologies so users can see a greater impact on sleep awareness, “regenerated wake-up” and personal performance. Sleep hygiene is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle and is important for stress reduction and fitness recovery.Joern Watzke, Garmin Health senior director of global B2B sales therefore states: “Garmin wearables provide accurate sleep-tracking and an overall snapshot of how well you are sleeping with sleep scores, estimated duration of sleep stages, and detailed recommendations for the user.” While one component alone can give a user valuable information about sleep health, the two technologies combined will provide a more comprehensive picture than ever before.
Garmin smartwatches are not designed or intended to monitor or diagnose diseases or any medical conditions. Find information on metric accuracy here.
The post Global Smart Bed Company Uses Garmin Smartwatch Data to Help Customers Get Better Sleep appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Understanding your body is critical to maximizing your potential as a female athlete. Garmin and Wild.AI, a 2022 Garmin Health Award Winner in Engagement, can help.Understanding your body is critical to maximizing your potential as a female athlete — and this includes understanding your menstrual cycle.
The goal of Garmin Connect is to help you see and understand your health data — including sleep, stress, menstrual cycle (if logged) and much more1. The menstrual cycle tracking feature in Garmin Connect will provide information throughout certain parts of your cycle, but if you’re looking for more training guidance with Garmin data, integrating with Wild.AI may be a good fit for you. The integration will pull over the relevant Garmin health data into Wild.AI for even better guidance. Still not sure about tracking or learning how to train with your cycle? Keep reading to learn more.
How does my cycle affect my performance?Your hormones fluctuate throughout your menstrual cycle — and that affects your muscles, bones and energy metabolism. The chart below outlines the physiologic impact estrogen and progesterone have on the body. Estrogen is typically higher in the first part of your cycle, while progesterone is present in the second half.
| ESTROGEN | -Increase in muscular strength (1)-Increase in fat utilization and a decrease in carbohydrate and protein breakdown (3)May improve endurance performance (4)Increase in neural drive to muscles (2)Increase in fluid retention (1)Protection against muscle damage because of increased antioxidant ability (2)May increase sensitivity to serotonin (negative effect of estrogen) (10) | | PROGESTERONE | Increase in protein breakdown (1)Decrease in gut permeability (1)Anti-estrogenic effects (i.e., opposite everything estrogen does) (1) |
What are the benefits of tracking your menstrual cycle and its related symptoms?Menstrual cycle tracking may seem unnecessary given that your period is often accompanied by bleeding. But having a regularly recurring period is a sign of good health. Minimizing the menstrual cycle to solely your period eliminates several other phases of your monthly cycle where you may feel different. Additionally, not everyone experiences an average 28-day menstrual cycle, and tracking your symptoms across different phases can help you understand your individual patterns.
Tracking can also help predict symptom onset and severity, help “periodize” your training programs, mitigate any negative symptoms and help you adapt to days you may be more ready to perform maximally. Additionally, deviation from what you would consider your normal cycle could be a sign of something deeper and that it might be time to visit your primary care physician.
Trends in your monthly cycle can help you uncover your individual patterns to help you better understand how to train, fuel and recover as a woman. Endurance training plans available in Wild.AI are automatically adapted to your menstrual cycle phases. You’ll receive pre- and post-training nutrition and recovery recommendations based on cycle phases as well as how to mitigate common menstrual symptoms.
Should I be exercising/eating according to my hormone levels?Learning your individual cycle-related symptoms through tracking can help you understand how exercising and fueling may need to be adapted based on individual phases. In this way, you’ll be able to tune into what’s happening in your cycle and adjust based on how you feel in that phase or on that day. The good news is that the actual adjustments you need to make can be supported through what we know about the impact of female sex hormones on female physiology and metabolism.
Tracking through Wild.AI can provide daily insights on your physiology and readiness to perform. This overview can take you more in depth into your physiology:
Early Follicular Phase (aka the period): The menstrual cycle “begins” with the early follicular
phase. During this time, the uterine wall begins to shed its inner lining — more commonly called a period.
The inflammatory response that begins during pre-menstruation continues into the early follicular phase as you begin your period. During this phase, blood vessels near the uterus constrict and the uterine muscle contracts, often leading to cramping (5). While programming around your period should be based entirely on personal comfort, exercising during this phase has been shown to mediate symptoms (6). The lower hormone profile in this phase encourages more reliance on carbohydrates, which may enhance performance in higher intensity exercises, such as anaerobic intervals or sprinting (7).
Mid Follicular Phase: The follicular phase is focused on developing the follicle and thickening
the uterine lining (11).
This phase is marked by rising estrogen levels. Estrogen promotes increased carbohydrate sensitivity upon muscular contraction that may support high-intensity aerobic activity (4). When combined with increased neural drive (i.e., your brain’s ability to activate muscles) and a potential increase in muscular strength encouraged by estrogen, the follicular phase may be a good time to focus on strength training (8, 9). What’s more, this phase is reported to have enhanced recovery, which may be beneficial for intense lifting sessions (9).
Ovulatory Phase: Ovulation occurs around the midpoint of your cycle. During ovulation, the mature egg is released and travels through the fallopian tube. Ovulation is marked by a luteinizing hormone (LH) surge that is encouraged through extremely high levels of estrogen (11).
Ovulation is stimulated, ultimately, by continually increasing levels of estrogen. Because of estrogen’s anabolic effect, this is a good time to focus on strength training (1).
Mid Luteal Phase: The mid-luteal phase is focused on preparing the uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg. During this time, progesterone helps prepare the corpus luteum and endometrium (11).
During the mid-luteal phase, progesterone reaches its peak, and estrogen begins to rise again. Estrogen’s encouragement of a fat metabolism, coupled with lower carbohydrate metabolism due to progesterone may require a higher carbohydrate intake around training. This may also suggest that the luteal phase is better suited for longer endurance activities (4). However, both estrogen and progesterone discourage the production of glucose in the liver, requiring sugar supplements to be taken during longer endurance activities (beyond 90 minutes) (4).
Also, during the luteal phase, progesterone encourages protein breakdown post-training, suggesting that it may also be beneficial to focus on protein timing and intake during this phase (4).
Late Luteal Phase: If no embryo is implanted in the endometrium, the corpus luteum degenerates, estrogen and progesterone regress to early follicular levels, and the body prepares to shed the uterine lining.
The premenstrual, or late luteal phase, is often accompanied by a variety of symptoms that are more commonly referred to as PMS (premenstrual syndrome). During this phase, there is an increase in inflammation that occurs in preparation for your period. When coupled with intense exercise, this time may require adjustments in diet and micronutrients that can help combat fatigue and pain-related symptoms (1).
Perimenopause and Menopause:
Due to the fluctuations in estrogen that occur during perimenopause, and the resulting low levels that are present during menopause, it is highly suggested that exercise during this phase of life include some sort of loading (i.e., resistance training) to minimize bone density loss. Performing exercises that load the spine, like squatting, is most important, because that is the area that is most susceptible to osteoporosis and subsequent fractures. This in combination with a high protein intake can combat undesirable changes in body composition and bone loss.
Ready to get in tune with your body? You can purchase a smartwatch that’s compatible with Garmin women’s health tracking here. You can download the Wild.AI app here.
1See Garmin.com/ataccuracy
References
(1) Bruinvels, Georgie, et al. “Menstrual Cycle: The Importance of Both the Phases and the
Transitions Between Phases on Training and Performance.” Sports Medicine, vol. 52, no. 7,
July 2022, pp. 1457–60, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-022-01691-2.
(2) McNulty, Kelly Lee, et al. “The Effects of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Exercise Performance
in Eumenorrheic Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Sports Medicine, vol.
50, no. 10, Oct. 2020, pp. 1813–27, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-020-01319-3.
(3) Helm, Macy M., et al. “Impact of Nutrition-Based Interventions on Athletic Performance
during Menstrual Cycle Phases: A Review.” International Journal of Environmental Research
and Public Health, vol. 18, no. 12, June 2021, p. 6294, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18126294.
(4) Oosthuyse, Tanja, and Andrew N. Bosch. “The Effect of the Menstrual Cycle on Exercise
Metabolism: Implications for Exercise Performance in Eumenorrhoeic Women.” Sports
Medicine, vol. 40, no. 3, 2010, pp. 207–27, https://doi.org/10.2165/11317090-000000000-00000.
(5) Alvin, P. E., & Litt, I. F. (1982). Current status of the etiology and management of
dysmenorrhea in adolescence. Pediatrics, 70(4), 516-525.
(6) Ortiz, Mario I., et al. “Effect of a Physiotherapy Program in Women with Primary
Dysmenorrhea.” European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology,
vol. 194, 2015, pp. 24–29, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2015.08.008.
(7) Hackney, Anthony C. “Menstrual Cycle Hormonal Changes and Energy Substrate
Metabolism in Exercising Women: A Perspective.” International Journal of Environmental
Research and Public Health, vol. 18, no. 19, Sept. 2021, p. 10024, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910024.
(8) Wikström-Frisén, Lisbeth, et al. “Effects on Power, Strength and Lean Body Mass of
Menstrual/Oral Contraceptive Cycle Based Resistance Training.” The Journal of Sports
Medicine and Physical Fitness, vol. 57, no. 1–2, 2017, https://doi.org/10.23736/S0022-4707.16.05848-5.
(9) Minahan, Clare, et al. “The Influence of Estradiol on Muscle Damage and Leg Strength
after Intense Eccentric Exercise.” European Journal of Applied Physiology, vol. 115, no. 7,
2015, pp. 1493–500, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-015-3133-9.
(10) Rybaczyk, Leszek A., et al. “An Overlooked Connection: Serotonergic Mediation of
Estrogen-Related Physiology and Pathology.” BMC Women’s Health, vol. 5, no. 1, 2005, p. 12, https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6874-5-12.
(11) Thiyagarajan, Dhanalakshmi K., et al. “Physiology, Menstrual Cycle.” StatPearls,
StatPearls Publishing, 2022, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500020/.
The post Why Train with Your Menstrual Cycle? appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Make your list and check it twice with Garmin.Looking for ideas for holiday gifts? Look no further — Garmin has the perfect gift for anyone’s list. Whether you’re shopping for the runner in your life or the pilot (or both), our wide selection of purpose-built products will help you find the present that’s just right for that special someone.
To support their running journey:Forerunner 255® Series: GPS Running Smartwatches
You’re making strides. Now let’s take the next step. Get the training and recovery insights you’ll need to notch your best time yet.
Forerunner® 955 Solar: Advanced Solar Powered Running Smartwatch
Train your best, perform your best and outlast the pack with a Power Glass solar charging lens to extend battery life.
To help them never stop cycling:Edge® 1040 Solar: Solar Powered Cycling Computer
Never stop cycling with the ultimate solar powered GPS cycling computer you can depend on when you need it most.
Edge® Explore 2: GPS Bike Computer
When you need a dependable, easy-to-use GPS bike computer, this Edge helps you ride on and discover new trails.
To catch their every beat:HRM-Pro Plus: Premium Heart Rate Monitor
Whether you’re training indoors or out, this heart rate strap provides the accurate data you need to push limits and reach goals.
To promote their healthy lifestyle:vívofit® jr. 3 Series: Kids Fitness Trackers
It’s not just a fitness tracker for kids. It’s an interactive experience where your child’s activity unlocks exciting adventures.
Venu® Sq 2 Series: GPS Smartwatches
Discover new ways to move and get a 24/7 picture of your health — in one, sleek smartwatch.
Venu® 2 Plus: GPS Smartwatch
Understand your body better and enjoy the convenience of making calls from your wrist when paired with your compatible smartphone.
vívomove® Sport: GPS Smartwatch
This hybrid smartwatch combines the traditional look of an analog watch with the essential smart features you need to keep up with your busy life.
To unleash their inner explorer:fēnix® 7 Series: Multisport Smartwatches
These rugged multisport GPS watches blend cutting-edge design and performance with 7-day-a-week wearability.
epix (Gen 2): Premium Active Smartwatch
Regardless of your fitness goals, this smartwatch has what you need to help you get there and be epic.
Descent G1 Series: Dive Computers
Land or sea, this compact dive computer is built for both of your worlds — and with the solar version, you can even harness the power of the sun.
Instinct® 2 Solar Series: Solar Powered Multisport Smartwatches
These rugged, solar charging GPS smartwatches are tough enough to keep up with you and unique enough to fit your style.
inReach® Mini 2: Compact Satellite Communicator
This compact satellite communicator1 with two-way messaging and SOS helps you stay in touch when you’re off the grid.
inReach® Messenger: Satellite Communicator
This small, rugged satellite communicator1 goes beyond the limits of cellular networks to keep loved ones in reach with global two-way text messaging.
To steer them in the right direction:Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2: 1090P Tiny Dash Cam with a 140-Degree Field of View
Featuring a wide 140-degree field of view, the car key-sized, voice-controlled Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 has you covered.
Garmin DriveSmart 76: 7” GPS Navigator
Whether it’s a weekend getaway or your daily commute, this navigator brings new levels of freedom, convenience and peace of mind to your time on the road.
Tread® – SxS Edition: 8” Powersport Navigator with Group Ride Radio
This rugged powersport GPS navigator has all the mapping you need to stay on track and the communication technology to stay in touch.
RVcam 795: 7” RV Navigator with Built-in Dash Cam
Travel with a built-in dash cam2 that automatically saves video of incidents and provides overhead views for smooth arrival at the next RV park or campground.
To quench their love for the water:quatix® 7 Series: Marine GPS Smartwatches
With these multisport GPS smartwatches, you’ll get all the features you need on your boat and the ones you want off it.
LiveScope Plus Boat Kit
Get year-round use from the award-winning LiveScope Plus System with this easy-to-install boat kit.
ECHOMAP UHD2: 7” Chartplotter
They say locals know best. But anyone who says that hasn’t fished with this chartplotter with clear, crisp sonar and mapping.
inReach® Mini 2 Marine Bundle: Satellite Communicator Set
This compact satellite communicator1 marine bundle helps you stay connected with two-way messaging and interactive SOS.
STRIKER Cast GPS: Castable Sonar Device
Easily find and catch more fish. Just cast it out and reel it back in to view sonar with a 200ʹ castable range via an app on your compatible smartphone or tablet.
To get their head in the game:Approach® R10: Portable Launch Monitor
Small and easy to move from home to the driving range, here’s the portable launch monitor that brings the golf course to you3 .
Approach® S62: Premium Golf Smartwatch
We’ve got your game. Get the smartwatch that integrates the critical information and mapping you need to do your best while on the green.
To keep their head in the clouds:D2 Air X10: Aviator Smartwatch
Get aviation tools you’ll want preflight, in-flight and postflight — plus health and fitness features to enhance your pilot life.
D2 Mach 1: Premium Aviator Smartwatch with Vented Titanium Bracelet
With classic style and a vivid AMOLED touchscreen display, this premium smartwatch offers advanced tools for flying as well as health and fitness features.
Didn’t see the perfect gift? Don’t worry — there’s plenty more where that came from. Shop the Garmin website to find the perfect present before the holidays.
1Active satellite subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices. It is the responsibility of the user to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the device is intended to be used.
2Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit use of the camera function of this device. It is your responsibility to know and comply with applicable laws and rights to privacy in jurisdictions where you plan to use the camera function of this device.
3This device requires a paired compatible smartphone downloaded with the Garmin Golf app.
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Whether you realize it or not, a lot is happening in your body while you’re sleeping. The connections between your brain cells are reorganizing, your cells are repairing, your energy levels are being restored, and molecules such as hormones and proteins are being released — all as you cycle through different sleep phases.
It makes sense, then, that if you want the most complete picture of how well your body is operating, you’ll want to track your physiological metrics during sleep as well. That’s why it’s so important that you wear your Garmin smartwatch to bed; not only are you able to take advantage of features such as sleep score or the built-in alarm clock, but you’ll also see improvements in the accuracy of other data that require round-the-clock monitoring to give a true picture of how your body is functioning.
Let’s walk through some of the Garmin smartwatch features (which vary by device) that are impacted by sleep.
- Sleep ScoreOK, so this one is obvious. Garmin smartwatches are good, but they aren’t analyze-your-sleep-quality-from-the-drawer-in-your-nightstand good. You must wear your watch for it to be able to do its job. And we do recommend that you pay attention to your sleep habits over time. Sleep is an essential function directly linked to physical and mental health, and consistently not getting enough of it is associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, poor mental health and Type 2 diabetes. Checking your Garmin sleep score each morning will give you a rating of how well you slept during the night based on six different factors, allowing you to make adjustments such as an earlier bedtime or less caffeine throughout the day.
Curious to see where you fit in with your peers in terms of sleep stats? We analyzed how well Garmin users sleep — and not surprisingly, quality sleep led to other positive metrics.
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Body Battery Energy MonitoringA feature unique to Garmin smartwatches, Body Battery is a real-time look at your personal energy resources. Powered by Firstbeat Analytics, your Body Battery measurement reflects your physical activity, stress, rest and sleep — and how each impacts your energy levels. On a scale of 1–100, your Body Battery number will indicate how ready you are to tackle a challenge at any given point — or how ready you are to rest. And since quality sleep is the body’s most valuable time for recovery, you’ll need to wear your watch for it to monitor just how effective that recovery is for your Body Battery.
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Resting Heart RateGarmin smartwatches provide all-day heart monitoring data using the Garmin Elevate heart rate technology sensor, an optical sensor built into the back of your device that detects your heart rate by shining a green light through your skin, which is reflected by the red cells in your skin’s blood vessels. There are many important reasons to track your heart rate, and knowing your resting heart rate (RHR) is one of them.
Your RHR is the number of times your heart beats per minute (bpm) while your body is in a state of rest. Garmin wearables typically measure RHR while you are asleep, usually not long before you wake up. For normal adults, the RHR can vary between 60 and 100 bpm, although Garmin data shows that the more active a person is, the lower their RHR tends to be. A lower RHR typically reflects cardiorespiratory fitness, quality sleep and low stress — but you must wear your watch during sleep to get the most accurate reading.
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Heart Rate Variability (HRV) StatusHRV is another meaningful metric that Garmin technology uses your heart rate to measure. You may not have realized, but your heart doesn’t actually beat regularly — it’s not a metronome. There are varying lengths of time between each heartbeat, and while those changes aren’t typically dramatic, they do provide significant information about your body. These changes in time are regulated by your nervous system, and changes in HRV status can reveal how well your body is responding to stress and to relaxation. Analyzing these shifts helps to provide the basis for stress tracking, Body Battery monitoring and sleep tracking, but an analysis takes time. For your watch to give you an HRV status, you’ll need to routinely wear it overnight for at least 3 weeks. This will establish a baseline HRV status from which future nights of sleep can be compared. Garmin wearables only measure your HRV status during sleep — so if you’re not sleeping with your watch on, you won’t get the benefits of this feature.
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Pulse OxCompatible Garmin smartwatches can act as pulse oximeters, which estimate how much oxygen is in your bloodstream at any given time as it travels around the body in your circulatory system. While Garmin smartwatches are not intended for medical purposes, you can turn on your Pulse Ox function to measure your oxygenated blood while you sleep, giving you an idea of how well your heart, lungs and blood are working together. If you notice anything that seems odd about your Pulse Ox reading, you’ll be able to direct those concerns to a health care professional to determine if more investigation is needed.
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Training StatusThe Garmin training status feature is a tool that lets athletes see how effectively they’re training. Compatible Garmin watches take in a wealth of daily data, including your VO2 max, HRV status and amount of training, to give you a comprehensive picture of your personal fitness in addition to specific guidance to help you achieve your goals. You’ll be shown one of 10 status categories, which range from peaking to strained — and the more data, the better. How well your body reacts to all situations — including sleep — is an important indicator of your overall fitness level.
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Recovery TimeThe recovery time feature on compatible Garmin smartwatches provides personalized insights into how long it will take before your body has fully recovered from the work it’s done during an activity. Naturally, sleep tracking data is an important consideration here, as sleep is a big factor into how well your body recovers. An especially bad night’s sleep will extend the amount of recommended time before your next tough workout, while some quality z’s can help to get you back on track faster.
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Daily Suggested WorkoutsAvailable on select Garmin GPS watches and cycling computers, the Daily Suggested Workouts feature aims to improve your fitness level as well as achieve your optimal training load by selecting daily running or cycling workouts designed to provide just the right level of challenge. Just exactly how challenging is challenging enough is decided by considering several factors, including your current training load, load focus, recovery time, the profile of recently performed workouts and — you guessed it — sleep data. Because sometimes a good (or bad) night’s sleep makes the difference between what’s appropriately challenging and what’s nearly impossible.
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Training ReadinessEven if your training status has started to decline, that doesn’t mean it’s time to start putting in 110% effort at all times. Using primarily the previous night’s sleep tracking data and the recovery demands of any recent activities as well as your acute training load, HRV status, sleep history and stress history, the Garmin training readiness feature does exactly what it sounds like — it tells you how ready your body is for a tough workout. Pushing your limits before your body is ready can harm you more than it can help you, so getting an accurate picture of your sleep data can be instrumental in determining exactly what type of workout will best suit your needs.
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Real-time StaminaThe stamina feature on compatible Garmin watches helps to describe your capacity for a good performance — or a poor one. Measured on a scale of 0–100%, your stamina score reflects how long you can reasonably expect to keep going at your current level of effort. Naturally, where fatigue resistance comes into play, so does sleep. To calculate your real-time stamina, your watch considers your physiological metrics, including both recent and longer-term activity history and fitness levels.
With a Garmin smartwatch, a world of physiological data is at your fingertips — or, more accurately, on your wrist — as long as you choose to wear it. Next time you hit the hay, be sure to leave your watch on so it can do its job to the best of its abilities. Don’t have a Garmin smartwatch yet? It’s OK— we won’t judge. You can fix that here to start learning more about your habits and how they impact your body. Because the more you know, the better you can train.
The post 10 Garmin Smartwatch Features That Work Better if You Wear Your Watch to Sleep appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Fall is in full swing and social calendars are filling up, which sometimes warrants a reminder to pause and evaluate how well we’ve been taking care of ourselves. School is back in session, the holidays are just around the corner, many jobs are going back to some combination of hybrid or in-person after months of […]
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Even though the benefits of regular physical activity are well-known and documented, 1 in 4 adults do not meet the recommended levels of at least 75 to 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week, according to the World Health Organization. As a result, people are becoming more and more sedentary, and physical inactivity […]
The post Garmin Wearables Help Foster Long-term Improvements in Physical Activity appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Let’s face it: We’re all keeping a close eye on our notifications. It’s how we stay connected — whether it’s a text from a friend, an email from your boss or simply a calendar reminder so you don’t miss your next dentist appointment (again). But staying connected doesn’t have to be synonymous with being constantly […]
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Garmin wearables help countless people monitor their health — and with Twin Health, we’re taking it a step further. Twin Health developed the Whole Body Digital Twin™ to help reverse, improve and prevent chronic metabolic diseases, including Type 2 Diabetes. With the combination of a Garmin fitness tracker and the Twin Health service, patients and […]
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From wellness tracking to training tools, Garmin Connect is your one-stop shop for health and fitness data. Millions of users rely on Garmin Connect™ as the tool for tracking, analyzing, and sharing health and fitness activities from their Garmin device every day. But Garmin Connect is so much more than just an app. If you dive a […]
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Whether you’re a dedicated cyclist training indoors to stay in optimal shape during the winter or more of a hobbyist attempting to work in some exercise on your lunch break, the following tips will help you make the most of your time on the bike. What are my bike options for indoor cycling? If you’re […]
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Garmin Connect™ data from millions of users offers clues into how age, biological sex and stress might affect the time we spend getting our all-important shuteye. It’s not exactly breaking news to say sleep is important. It’s an essential bodily function directly related to both mental and physical health. And while one night of bad […]
The post Catching Z’s: New Data Shows How Well Garmin Users Are Sleeping appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Whether pumping some serious iron or simply increasing your daily step count, regular physical activity is important at any age. In fact, the benefits that come from exercise — like reducing the risk of heart disease, managing blood sugar and insulin levels, and improving mental health — may be even more top-of-mind for seniors. It’s […]
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A data sample from Garmin Connect user accounts shows that the more active a person is, the lower their resting heart rate. Looking down at the Garmin smartwatch on your wrist and seeing what looks like an abnormally low resting heart rate can cause a bit of concern. But data obtained from a sample of […]
The post Garmin Users with Higher Activity Levels Have Lower Resting Heart Rates appeared first on Garmin Blog.
As impossible as it may seem, 2021 has drawn to a close — and what a ride it’s been. Depending on where you live, lockdowns and mask mandates came and went — and for some of you, came back again. Pharmaceutical companies raced each other to the finish line with COVID-19 vaccines, and now booster […]
The post A Year in Review: 2021 Garmin Health and Fitness Data Insights appeared first on Garmin Blog.
Let’s be real — coming up with the “best gift ever” can be a bit stressful. It is likely not going to be the most wonderful time of the year if your significant other’s tastefully dropped hints go unnoticed and you pick out a kitschy pair of socks for the fourth year in a row. […]
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If you are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant, it’s likely that you already understand the importance of tracking your pregnancy. The changes your body is going through are nothing short of miraculous, but it’s critical that you monitor them to make sure both you and your baby are staying healthy. And did you know […]
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If you’re heading back into the office more frequently, we know it can be hard to keep up with your fitness goals and routines. Whether you’ve only got 5 minutes between meetings or an hour-long lunch break, there are plenty of features on your Garmin smartwatch or in Garmin Connect™ that can help you stay […]
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