How Accurate are Smart Watches?
Wearable devices have as much as 20% error when measuring heart rate, and caloric expenditure measurements can be off by as much as 100%. Most wearable fitness devices overestimate total sleep time and underestimate wakefulness after sleep onset.
SMART WATCH ACCURACY KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Sleep debt is a concept that refers to the cumulative effect of not getting enough sleep, which can't be easily repaid by sleeping more on the weekends.
- Consistency in sleep patterns is key to maintaining good health and preventing sleep debt.
- Social jet lag refers to the disruption of sleep patterns due to changes in sleep and wake times during the weekends.
- Strategic napping can help boost cognitive and physical performance in the face of sleep deprivation.
Show Notes
In this new series of episode, we delve into the fascinating world of sleep debt with Dr. Cathy Goldstein, a renowned neurologist and sleep expert from the University of Michigan Sleep Disorders Center. As a busy parent or professional, have you ever wondered about the concept of "sleep debt" and if it's something you can pay back?
Dr. Goldstein unravels this intriguing concept, explaining why it's not as simple as catching up on lost sleep during the weekends. She also discusses the impact of sleep deprivation on our health and productivity, and the phenomenon of "social jet lag." Tune in to learn about the importance of consistent sleep and how strategic napping can boost your physical and cognitive performance.
In this episode you’ll discover:
- What is sleep debt and can it be repaid?
- The impact of sleep deprivation on health and productivity.
- The concept of "social jet lag."
- How to leverage naps for better performance.
- The importance of consistent sleep.
Quotable Moments
- "Sleep is not just this kind of linear, simple process. It's a more dynamic process." - Dr. Cathy Goldstein
- "When you cut your sleep short for this whole idea of you don't have time because you're so busy, you're really losing time because you're not as efficient." - Dr. Cathy Goldstein
- "Consistency really is key here because we know that these drastic changes in sleep duration and sleep timing really are not good for your health." - Dr. Cathy Goldstein
- "Naps have been well demonstrated to bring that cognitive and physical performance back up to baseline in the face of sleep deprivation." - Dr. Cathy Goldstein
Korem, Erik. “Accuracy of Consumer Wearable Technology” AIM7.com, March 8, 2023, https://aim7.com/post/accuracy-of-consumer-wearable-technology
