Using Data from Wearables to Improve Sleep and Recovery with Chuck Hazzard of OURA – EP82
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
- Combines sleep with resting heartrate, temperature and HRV
- Also accounts for previous activity
- OURA measures during sleep (96 samples in 8 hours)
- Noise, changes in breathing impact accuracy
- Validation study with Finnish government
- Stanford study rings not fitted to participants
- Wearables not perfect at identifying stages
- Relies on motion and temperature changes
- Consider taking ring off to read, watch TV
- 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
- Based on recovery (for average person)
- Much lower if slept poorly
- Infrared sensors during sleep
- Light spectrum doesn’t tolerate movement
- On-demand heartrate feature available soon
- Apple HealthKit and Google Fit
- Combine wearables with other data (e.g.: Heads Up Health)
- Wear lifting gloves or remove with weights
- DLC coating very durable
- Focus on overall sleep, recovery scores
- Work toward consistent sleep
- Track impact of lifestyle changes (e.g.: alcohol)
Learn More About Chuck Hazzard
Resources
Nourish Balance Thrive Podcast
