Garmin is studying the effects of Covid-19 on runners – and it wants your help
Sign up and share data from your running watch
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Garminand the University of Nottingham are working together on a global research project to study the effects of Covid-19 on running, training and recovery – and you can join in.
The Running Through study is open to both runners and walkers from around the world, and will look into the effects of long Covid on fitness symptoms on running performance, the potential impact of running on Covid recovery times, and the potential effects of the illness on training regimens and injuries,
In order to take part, you’ll need to be over 18 years old, and although you don’t have to own aGarminwearable like arunning watchorheart rate monitor, the data will be richer if you do. You’ll also need to agree to share your health data with the company so it can be included in the study.
To sign up, visitRunningThrough.organd complete the survey form. This will ask you to provide some details about your running habits and overall health, plus any Covid-19 infections you might have had.
Once the study is done, the results will be made publicly available to help runners better understand the effects of the virus on their training and fitness.
Fitness tracker data
This isn’t the only study using data captured by devices likefitness trackersandsmartwatchesto help us better understand Covid-19.Fitbitis currentlyconducting its own studyin the US and Canada, and aims to build an algorithm to detect signs of the virus before symptoms appear.
The study is still ongoing, but in August 2021,Fitbit reportedthat it’s been able to detect half of Covid-19 infections one day before participants reported their first symptoms, with 70% specificity. We’ve been in touch with Fitbit to see if there have been any further developments, and will update you when we know more.
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Cat is TechRadar’s Homes Editor specializing in kitchen appliances and smart home technology. She’s been a tech journalist for 15 years, and is here to help you choose the right devices for your home and do more with them. When not working she’s a keen home baker, and makes a pretty mean macaron.
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