The steps are excellent. However, what would happen if heart rate was included?
Congratulations! You have surpassed your 10,000-step target! However, there is a deeper level to investigate if you want to truly comprehend your fitness or long-term health dangers.
It is a more recent method of combining two well-known metrics—your heart rate and step count—to provide a more accurate picture of your general health.
Basically, researchers discovered that this ratio (average heart rate ÷ average daily steps) may be more accurate than steps or heart rate alone in predicting your risk for conditions including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
The sweet spot? It is beneficial to have a lower SHARPS score.
For instance, if you walk 6,000 steps a day and have a heart rate of 80, your score is 0.0133, which is well within the healthy range. A red flag could be raised by a greater score, say 0.0200.
However, keep in mind that this metric is still experimental before you get out your calculator and start worrying about decimals. It is not a replacement for proven health risk tools or medical advice, nor can it demonstrate causation. Nevertheless, it is a simple added piece of information that could help you make better decisions if you are already using a smartwatch to measure your heart rate and steps.
The bottom line?
Walking more while maintaining a lower heart rate may be the secret to success. One thing is certain: movement counts, regardless of how hard your heart works to get it done, whether DROPS becomes the next big wellness statistic or just a nerdy footnote.
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