Why Smartwatches Struggle to Accurately Measure Burned Calories
· Technology · Washington Post, NPR
Smartwatches and fitness trackers often provide inaccurate estimates of calories burned during physical activity. The primary reason for this discrepancy lies in how these devices calculate energy expenditure using standard demographic formulas rather than individual metabolic rates. Factors such as body fat percentage, muscle mass, and biological sex significantly influence actual calorie burn, yet most wearables rely on basic inputs like height, weight, age, and heart rate. Exercise physiologists note that algorithms struggle to account for the efficiency of different bodies performing the same movement. Consequently, users frequently rely on flawed data when attempting to manage weight or track fitness goals.
Why it matters
Fitness enthusiasts and individuals tracking daily health metrics often make dietary and exercise decisions based on inaccurate calorie readouts from wearable devices.
Read the original report — Washington Post
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