Microsoft has turned to the Amgen Tour of California to track professional cyclists, using the Band 2 activity tracker, to determine how their bodies react to extensive exercise over the course of several days.
The company therefore asked several cyclists to wear the Microsoft Band 2 during stages of the 8-day cycling race, so that they could track information such as heart rate, distance and UV exposure. In addition, all cyclists participating in the study had to sleep with the Band 2 on, to analyze sleep patterns after intense exercise.
Microsoft 's results from this research show that it takes up to several hours (or even a full day) for the body to return to normal levels after a hard effort. Will Barta of Axeon Hagens Berman wore the Band 2 during stage 2 to show that heart rate levels gradually return to normal after the race, but Microsoft emphasizes that it is absolutely vital for a cyclist to get some sleep after such an intense workout.
Cyclists sleep more than the average office worker. “Post-race activities such as nutritional quality, massage, and relaxation (mental and physical) speed up the recovery process, but sleep is the one that has the greatest benefit. It is not uncommon for a cyclist to sleep more than 10 hours during such a race to maximize recovery,” the company explains.
The sleep results show that although heart rate activity was normal at bedtime, the cyclists recorded a low rate of restful sleep and woke up several times during the night.
Interestingly, Microsoft says that a professional cyclist or a highly trained athlete has a low heart rate while sleeping, which can reach as low as 40 beats per minute. Furthermore, it is completely normal for cyclists to experience different cycles of light and deep sleep each night after participating in a race.
While these stats are useful for those who want to become professional athletes, they also help Microsoft better tailor its devices to provide accurate data during various sports. With the Band 3 just around the corner, everyone is expecting not only an improved design, but also more advanced information when it comes to activity tracking.
