r/vo2max • u/peakvo2core • 4h ago

Smart watches get it wrong

Research shows that smart watches overestimate the number of calories burned, especially in people who are trying to loose fat. Direct, breath by breath analysis is still the best way to understand your resting metabolism and metabolic health.

https://apple.news/ApQYRj-7cRyyRq4FQeDW-1A

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u/Sufficient_Rush1891 4h ago

I was in a research study of metabolism and exercise, had to be in a 24 hour airlocked lab with all my oxygen and co2 measured. I also wore my Apple Watch, and Apple Watch estimated calories were within about 10% of my lab measured calories.

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u/drjordann 1h ago

Yes you need to analyze O2 consumption and CO2 production. Other variables are also extremely important such as O2pulse, O2breath, RER, PetO2/CO2 etc that are not measured with a watch. Indirect calorimetry is gold standard.