Smarter Running with Wearables – What Are You Really Measuring?

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Wearables such as sports watches provide plenty of data on heart rate, sleep, and recovery — but their real value depends on how coaches interpret and apply this information.

  • Measurements: Heart rate and HRV are useful for tracking trends, though wrist-based sensors are less accurate during intense activity. Sleep data offer only a general overview.
  • In training: Features like Training Readiness, HRV Status, and Running Tolerance can help tailor load and recovery — but only when viewed in context.
  • Limitations: Measurement errors can occur due to motion, skin tone, or tattoos. Data should guide, not dictate.
  • Coach’s role: Use wearables as a conversation and decision-support tool, not as a replacement for observation or athlete feedback.
  • Key message: Technology adds value when human insight, data, and context come together — measuring only matters when you understand what it means.

Niels de Vries
Niels de Vries
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