Using Data from Wearables to Improve Sleep and Recovery with Chuck Hazzard of OURA – EP82

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Wearables afford us access to a significant amount of data. We can track everything from sleep quality to heartrate variability to exercise and recovery. But how accurate is the information we get from wearables? And what is the best way to use that data to identify patterns and make lifestyle changes with real impact?

 

 

 

Chuck Hazzard is the VP of Sales at OURA, the award-winning wellness ring and app designed to give users insight into their sleep, recovery and readiness to perform.  He is also a technology expert and wearables guru with experience designing computer networks, developing software applications, and building successful telecommunications businesses. Chuck earned his BA in Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of Maine, and he is a licensed Heartmath Provider.

Today, Chuck explains how the new OURA ring is different from the original model and how the user’s Readiness Score is measured. He addresses why the OURA HRV and Readiness Scores differ from other apps and wearables and answers criticism around the accuracy of OURA’s measurement of sleep stages. Chuck discusses why the OURA Ring may mistake the sleep time of a small number of users, how the OURA app determines a goal for the day, and how the device tracks both exercise and HRV. Listen in for Chuck’s insight on integrating OURA’s data with other apps and learn how to use the app to track the impact of lifestyle changes on your sleep and recovery!

Topics Covered

[1:00] How the new OURA Ring is different

  • Dramatically smaller, new colors
  • More memory (6 weeks of data)
  • Longer battery life
  • Wireless charger
[3:36] How the OURA Readiness Score is measured

  • Combines sleep with resting heartrate, temperature and HRV
  • Also accounts for previous activity
[6:17] Why the OURA HRV score differs from other apps

  • OURA measures during sleep (96 samples in 8 hours)
  • Noise, changes in breathing impact accuracy
[10:07] Chuck’s insight on OURA’s measurement of sleep stages

  • Validation study with Finnish government
  • Stanford study rings not fitted to participants
  • Wearables not perfect at identifying stages
[12:50] Why the OURA may mistake your sleep time

  • Relies on motion and temperature changes
  • Consider taking ring off to read, watch TV
[16:31] How the OURA Ring tracks exercise

  • Sensors detect motion, walking/running work best
  • Manually enter other kinds of activity (e.g.: cycling)
  • Will eventually be able to import from other apps
[20:18] How the app determines a goal for the day

  • Based on recovery (for average person)
  • Much lower if slept poorly
[23:15] How the OURA Ring tracks HRV

  • Infrared sensors during sleep
  • Light spectrum doesn’t tolerate movement
  • On-demand heartrate feature available soon
[25:19] Other ways to integrate OURA data

  • Apple HealthKit and Google Fit
  • Combine wearables with other data (e.g.: Heads Up Health)
[27:18] The OURA Ring’s finish

  • Wear lifting gloves or remove with weights
  • DLC coating very durable
[28:59] Chuck’s advice on the best use the OURA Ring

  • Focus on overall sleep, recovery scores
  • Work toward consistent sleep
  • Track impact of lifestyle changes (e.g.: alcohol)

Learn More About Chuck Hazzard

OURA

Chuck’s Website

Chuck on LinkedIn

Resources

OURA Blog: What Has Changed?

Elite HRV

SweetWater Health

Nourish Balance Thrive Podcast

Stanford OURA Ring Study

Garmin Connect

Polar Flo

Strava

Suunto

Google Fit

Heads Up Health

Human API

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