​Apple’s heart study shows older users are smashing their goals

And the secret to top Cardio Fitness scores revealed
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Apple has published some preliminary results of its Heart and Movement Study – and revealed some interesting data about Apple Watch users.

The Apple Heart and Movement Study is a massive opt-in study of Apple Watch users and their activity and biometric data, which is being completed with Harvard.

It’s been running since 2019, and hopes to attract 500,000 participants over the duration of the study.

It isn’t estimated to be completed until 2024 and is primarily designed to track chronic conditions – but Apple has revealed some interim findings to coincide with American Heart Month, which is running through February 2022.

Unsurprisingly, the most common forms of exercise include walking, cycling and running.

But perhaps more interestingly was the age group that was best at closing the green exercise ring on Apple Watch.

​Apple’s heart study shows older users are smashing their goals

Rather than go-getting 30-something weekend warriors, the over 65 age group was the best at getting their 150 minutes of weekly exercise.

For those that were getting sweaty with the Apple Watch and recording big Cardio Fitness scores, the results also give an insight into how many minutes of exercise you need for peak levels of fitness.

Users with above-average Cardio Fitness (VO2 Max scores of 42-52) were clocking up over 200 minutes of exercise per week.

And those with High ratings (VO2 Max of 53 and over) averaged over 300 minutes of weekly exercise.

Apple has launched a new Apple Watch challenge, just for American Heart Month.

The Heart Month Activity Challenge can be earned by closing the 30 minute exercise ring on 14 February. Happy Valentines.

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James Stables

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James is the co-founder of Wareable, and he has been a technology journalist for 15 years.

He started his career at Future Publishing, James became the features editor of T3 Magazine and T3.com and was a regular contributor to TechRadar – before leaving Future Publishing to found Wareable in 2014.

James has been at the helm of Wareable since 2014 and has become one of the leading experts in wearable technologies globally. He has reviewed, tested, and covered pretty much every wearable on the market, and is passionate about the evolving industry, and wearables helping people achieve healthier and happier lives.


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