Smartwatches are now getting really smart and offer numerous features to track your vitals while active and at night while sleeping.
Fitbit Sleep Score is different from a simple analysis of sleep cycles based on the motion analysis. It makes the most of the Heart Rate monitor and blood oxygen sensor.
Introduced in 2019, the sleep score is now available for most of the Fitbit range, including the Fitbit Luxe, Fitbit Versa, Versa 2, Versa Lite, Sense, Ionic, Charge 4, Inspire 2, and Fitbit Inspire HR.
It is somehow important to note that users recently complained about issues while collecting sleep score data, especially when using the Fitbit Charge 4. Fitbit acknowledged the issue and is working on fixing it. With no timeline being released, before considering buying a Fitbit Charge 4 for sleep tracking, we recommend that you check that the problems are solved, and a software update is available.
In this article, we will go through the Sleep Score app. and check how to make the most of the features that may well change the quality of your sleep. We spend one-third of our life sleeping, so our rest certainly deserves a smart sleep tracker.
Are you ready and fully awake? So, let’s check on how to enjoy a restful Zzz.
What is the Fitbit Sleep Score?
The Fitbit sleep tracker algorithm will combine several key sleep elements based on:
- Duration: The higher the number of hours slept, the higher the score. The recommended number of sleep hours is between 7 and 8 hours. You will get extra points if you reach this sleeping range.
- Quality: The sleep cycle is divided into phases of light, deep, and Rapid Eyes Movements (REM). Deep and REM sleep phases are the best for recovery, and the longest time spent in these two cycles, the higher the score.
- Restoration: The higher the score, the more restful the sleep was. The sleep tracking function will measure the heart rate and movements to define the state of relation, hence the sleep quality and restoration. The sleep pattern, time spent in light or deep sleep, will be analyzed and correlated with the heart rhythm to extract the average sleeping heart rate. This information will be essential as a higher restoration score will be assigned if the sleeping heart rate is lower than the average day heart rate.
By scoring and combining the individual scores of the individual components, individuals will end up with a score from 0 to 100. Thus, most healthy sleepers will fall in the 70-80 mark range.
The overall sleep score divides into:
- Excellent: 90-100
- Good: 80-89
- Fair: 60-79
- Poor: Less than 60
Users voiced their disappointment when Fitbit decided to make some of the sleep features part of their Premium package.
The Free App. still allows checking the Deep & REM sleep stages, but the analyses of sleep duration and sleeping heart rate & restlessness are part of the paid subscription.
How does Fitbit detect the sleep stages?
Every night, sleepers will go through four to six sleep stages divided into the previously described cycles: light, deep, and REM.
Each cycle will last nine minutes on average. Thus, the accuracy of the sleep tracking and sleep score is tightly lighted to the quality of detecting the cycles and stages. This is where the quality of the algorithms and sensors comes into play.
The Fitbit smartwatches and trackers will monitor the heart rate and extract the Heart Rate Variability (HRV). The HRV corresponds to the millisecond differences between two consecutive heartbeats.
The HRV will change during the different sleep cycles and, when combined with the movement detector sensors, will accurately detect the sleep stage.
What about the accuracy of Fitbit Sleep Detection algorithms?
In 2019, researchers in California and Texas conducted an extensive review of the literature to understand better the accuracy of the Fitbit smartwatches and wristbands.
Out of 3085 candidate articles, 22 were selected for further analysis. This meta-analysis concluded that the Fitbit sleep stage detection is accurate, especially for differentiating sleep and awakening episodes which is the less you can expect from a sleep tracking device.
Even though a fitness tracker or a smartwatch will not replace a Polysomnograph anytime soon, the researchers found the proprietary Fitbit algorithms “useful for the study of the 24-hour sleep-wake pattern and the determination of the duration, pattern, and quality of sleep.”
Can the Sleep Score provide insights on sleep apnea?
Fitbit has been working on sleep apnea for numerous years, and an FDA-cleared smartwatch to detect sleep apneas is the grail for numerous overweight sleepers.
Tracking heart rate, movements and HRV are critical features for identifying the sleep stages, but sleep apnea detection goes one step further. During sleep apnea, sleepers will stop breathing, inducing a drop in the blood oxygen saturation levels.
Some recent Fitbit models do include a SpO2 sensor meaning that the technology s ready to expand the capabilities of the Sleep Score and include the much-needed feature of sleep apnea detection and quantification.
Smartwatches are a complex mix of hardware, software, and algorithms that rely more on machine learning. The excellent point is that once the technology is validated, a simple software update is the only thing needed to add extra-functionalities.
Analysis of the blood oxygen variation
A Fitbit device is not a medical device and will never replace a polysomnograph, the Golden standard for sleep analysis, or a clinical blood oxygen analyzer. Yet, it somehow comes with a blood oxygen sensor that provides insightful data.
The new Fitbit models offer the possibility to track blood d oxygen variation occurring during the night. A high variation in oxygen saturation can be a sign that you experienced sleep apnea episodes.
There is no need to rush to the doctor if you experience only moderate variations. Still, in case your blood oxygen varies consistently every night, it may be a sign of sleep apnea and will justify talking about it with your doctor.
Will the sleep score help me improve my sleep?
One of the many benefits of the sleep score, primarily when benefitting from the Fitbit Premium membership, is that it is possible to make the most of the data to improve your sleep routine and wake up well-rested, ready for another day.
To improve the Sleep Score, Fitbit recommends to:
- Stick to a strict bedtime routine. This way, the sleep hormones cycles will be consistent, and the body will quickly get used to bed and wake up well-rested at the same time,
- Do not exercise 3 to 4 hours before going to bed. Exercising will release plenty of beneficial hormones, such as endorphins or testosterone. Unfortunately, even if exercising is a great way to burn calories, it will also increase your overall metabolism with the side effect of keeping you awake,
- Finally, as recommended by the CDC, practice at least 150 minutes per week of active exercise.
How to check my Sleep Score
Depending on the Fitbit model, accessing the Sleep Score can be slightly different, but the process is globally the same.
On the Fitbit app
- Make sure that your watch is fully charged or has enough battery, and wear it while sleeping. Make sure that the wrist band is not too tight as you do not want to impair the blood flow,
- When waking up, synchronize the data collected during the night with your phone, then tap the “Today” icon and press “Sleep,”
- Check the results and the advice.
On the watch or fitness tracker
- After wearing the device for a whole night,
- Swipe the clock face to access “FITBIT TODAY,”
- Swipe up or down depending on the model to access the sleep screen.
To wrap up
The Fitbit smartwatches are well known for their quality and accuracy. The sleep data provided Sleep Score are insightful ways to get information about the sleep cycles, sleep habits and potentially identify and cure sleep disorders.
Sleep Tracking devices are easier to use than a sleep diary and go beyond a simple bedtime reminder. They allow identifying a potential breathing disturbance and stick to a sleep schedule that may well change the way you wake up in the morning.
If Wearable devices are the future of sleep analysis, the Fitbit Sleep Score is already part of it.
On top of that, Fitbit also allows users to download your sleep logs and share the raw data with your doctor or other sleep professional. A great way to reach your sleep goals!
