Oura Ring gains new cardio fitness metrics
Smart ring maker Oura is adding two fitness features: a Cardio Effort strain assessment and automatic VO2 Max estimates. The latter is available for the third-generation Oura Ring and newer models.
Oura, the maker of smart rings that track health data, has announced two new fitness features for its wearables: Cardio Effort and automatic VO2 Max estimation. The additions further expand the company's offering for holistic health monitoring.
Cardio Effort
Cardio Effort assesses how much strain the wearer has put on their body during activity. The metric is personalized and split into five ranges: light, fair, maintaining, building and reaching. These show how the week's activities compare with the individual's own baseline.
The feature is based on the Training Impulse method and, according to the company, is designed to monitor long-term trends in cardiovascular activity.
VO2 Max
The second feature is automatic VO2 Max estimation. It was previously offered in the Oura Labs tool under the name Cardio Capacity, but it was not automatic and required a six-minute walking test before it could be enabled.
The revised VO2 Max makes passive estimates from regular GPS-enabled workouts, so the test is no longer needed. VO2 Max stats will be available in Oura Labs for the third-generation Oura Ring and later models.
Competition
Other wearables, including the Apple Watch and Fitbit, have been able to track similar cardio metrics for some time. The change could therefore make Oura a viable option for people who prefer a ring to a watch or a bracelet.
