Garmin Fénix 7® Underestimates Performance at the Lactate Threshold in Comparison to Standardized Blood Lactate Field Test

• Main Authors: Heiber M (Author), Schittenhelm A (Author), Schlie J (Author), Beckert M (Author), Graf P (Author), Schmidt A (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Dove Medical Press, 2024-05-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Marie Heiber,1,&ast; Andrea Schittenhelm,1,&ast; Jennifer Schlie,2,&ast; Marcus Beckert,2 Pascal Graf,2 Annette Schmidt1- 3 1dtec.bw, NextGenerationEU Project Smart Health Lab, University of the Bundeswehr, Chair of Sport Biology Munich, Munich, Germany; 2University of the Bundeswehr, Institute of Sport Sciences, Chair of Sport Biology, Munich, Germany; 3Research Center Smart Digital Health, University of the Bundeswehr Munich, Munich, Germany&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Annette Schmidt, Chair of Sport Biology, University of the Bundeswehr Munich, Werner-Heisenberg-Weg 39, Neubiberg, Munich, Bavaria, 85577, Germany, Tel [phone], Email [e-mail]: Lactate threshold (LT) is a critical performance measure traditionally obtained using costly laboratory-based tests. Wearables offer a practical and noninvasive alternative for LT assessment in recreational and professional athletes. However, the comparability of these estimates with the regular field tests requires further evaluation.Patients and Methods: In our sample of 26 participants (nf=7 and nm=19), we compared the estimated running pace and heart rate (HR) at LT with two subsequent tests. First, participants performed the Fenix 7® threshold running test after a calibration phase. Subsequently, they were tested in a standardized, graded blood lactate field test. Age was 25.97 (± 6.26) years, and body mass index (BMI) was 24.58 (± 2.8) kg/m2.Results: Pace at LT calculated by Fenix 7® (M=11.87 km/h ±  1.26 km/h) was 11.96% lower compared to the field test (M=13.28 km/h ±  1.72 km/h), which was significant (p < 0.001, d=− 1.19). HR estimated by the Fenix 7® at LT was 1.71% lower (p > 0.05). LT data obtained in the field test showed greater overall variance.Conclusion: Our results suggest sufficient accuracy of Fenix 7® LT estimates for recreational athletes. It can be assumed that for professional athletes, it would fail to provide the nuanced data needed for high-quality training management.Keywords: smartwatch, physical performance, physiology, heart rate, pace

Item Description

1179-1543