Health benefits of running with a Fitbit – quantified
The basal or resting heart rate is defined as the heart rate when a person is awake, in a neutrally temperate environment, and has not undergone any recent exertion or stimulation, such as stress or surprise. The typical resting heart rate in adults is 60–100 beats per minute (bpm). For endurance athletes at the elite level, it is not unusual to have a resting heart rate between 33 and 50 bpm.
A recent study has provided evidence that resting heart can be used as an indicator of your longevity. Researchers found that the risk of dying from any illness or health condition rises by around 9% for every 10 bpm over. The chance of suffering a fatal heart attack or stroke rises 8%.
Essential reading: Best devices for heart zone training
Fitbit is the global leader in wearables sales at the moment. There is a reason Fitbit trackers sell well. They are simple to use, reliable, look smart, provide great vitals statistics and have a great app behind them.
The fact that so many of us wear a fitness trackers these days gives researchers a plethora of data to analyse user behaviour and quantify benefits to health from making different lifestyle choices. According to Triathlon.com, a research team has now tapped into Fitbit data, in order to take a closer look at the health benefits of running. The research found that the activity, at any level, carries some quantifiable health benefits.
Here are some facts from the study.
1 million+Number of 2014–2015 users whose data Fitbit’s research team analyzed 4 BPMHow much lower the resting heart rate is of Fitbit users who run as compared to the average user who doesn’t run. 0:20 per mileTypical pace of a Fitbit runner 0.9 BPMHow much a user’s resting heart rate lowered for every run per week 3X per weekUsers who ran this often had resting heart rates 1.8 BPM lower than those who ran just once a week. 1 mileFor each mile users run in their regular running routine, their resting heart rate decreased by an additional 0.75 BPM. |
We did not have a new activity tracker from Fitbit last year. All this changed at CES 2016, when Fitbit released the Blaze fitness tracker. The new wearable focuses as much on fashion as it does on fitness. Following in the footsteps of this idea, about a month later Fitbit announced its new Alta bracelet.
Essentially, with these two releases Fitbit is styling up what it already offers. There is no ground-breaking new technology on board. But if you’re looking for a stylish fitness tracker that does the essentials from a recognised brand, one of these devices could be right for you.
