Samsung and researchers working to improve the Galaxy Watch VO2 Max and sweat loss tracking

2023-09-19

With the One UI 4.1 Watch Samsung introduced two helpful features for runners – sweat loss tracking and VO2 Max estimation. Now the company has set out to improve the accuracy of these functions by partnering with researchers at the University of Michigan Exercise & Sport Science Initiative (ESSI).

The research will be lead by the Michigan Performance Research Laboratory (MiPR), ESSI’s core research lab. It has already started recruiting participants and collecting data. This study will go on for eight months.

Testing will be done both indoors (on a treadmill) and outdoors with running trials ranging from 2.5km to 20km (1.5-12 miles). The data will be collected using Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) and tracking weight change.

As the name suggests, the sweat loss function on the Samsung Galaxy Watches estimates how much water you have lost and recommends how much to drink to help your body recover after your run. The goal is to make the watches better at helping users manage sweat loss, dehydration and heat management.

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