Physical Activity Infographic: Insights From 8,000+ Users

Can people be motivated to lead a physically active lifestyle – and how does external motivation turn into an internal habit? These questions have been at the heart of YuMuuv since the beginning, as part of tackling the global problem of insufficient physical activity. In early 2022, we analyzed activity data from more than 8,000 YuMuuv users to see how the device people use, their age and their sex relate to how active they are. Here are the five key findings.

Key Findings at a Glance

Users with heart rate devices took 19% more steps than those with wrist devices without heart rate.
Sports watch users collected 85% more intensity minutes than smartwatch users.
Daily steps of sports watch and smartwatch users differed by only 2%.
In our user base, activity increased with age.
Biological sex made no meaningful difference to activity.

Research Questions

We wanted to map the YuMuuv user profile and see whether personal characteristics or the type of device affect activity. We asked three questions:

Is there a connection between a user's device and their activity?
Is there a connection between a user's age and their activity?
Is there a connection between a user's sex and their activity?

Sample and Limitations

The sample included users aged 18–73: 4,719 people with regular heart rate and activity data in the first quarter of 2022, plus 3,728 users without heart rate data as a reference group. Users had connected Garmin, Fitbit, Polar, Suunto, Huawei, Apple Health and Google Fit. Users of Apple Health and Google Fit may in turn have used third-party devices.

We did not study the measurement characteristics of the devices themselves (for example, how Polar devices calculate activity). Due to integration limits at the time, we received only workout heart rate from Polar and Suunto, and less frequent heart rate data from Huawei. We do not believe these limits change the overall conclusions.

Most importantly, this is an analysis of the YuMuuv user base only and may not represent the general population – some findings even run against broader research. We cannot give scientific explanations for every finding, so alongside the statistics we share our interpretations based on experience.

5 Findings From the Data

1. 1. Users With Heart Rate Devices Take 19% More Steps

First, we compared steps. Phone-only users took over 40% fewer steps than owners of heart rate devices – partly because phones are less accurate as pedometers and are not carried all day. So we excluded phone users and compared wrist-worn devices with and without heart rate: users with heart rate measurement averaged 8,853 steps a day versus 7,426, about 19% more.

We believe the ability to see your heart rate raises awareness and affects how intensely people move. That is why we often recommend that employers help employees get a heart rate tracker – see why workplaces should help employees get a wearable and the benefits of a fitness tracker.

2. 2. Sports Watch Users Collect 85% More Intensity Minutes

Next, we split heart rate users into sports watches (Garmin, Polar, Fitbit, Suunto) and smartwatches (Apple Health, Google Fit, Huawei). The WHO recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week; in this study we counted intensity minutes as minutes above 65% of estimated maximum heart rate. Sports watch owners averaged 21 minutes 37 seconds of intensity a day, smartwatch owners 11 minutes 39 seconds – about 85% more, or almost ten extra minutes every day.

Why? Some people who choose a sports watch are already inclined toward intensive training, and sports watches are designed around workouts rather than notifications and apps. Either way, it is worth considering when choosing a device.

3. 3. Steps Barely Differ Between Sports Watch and Smartwatch Users

We expected the difference in intensity to show up in steps too. It did not: averages differed by only about 2% (8,498 vs 8,327 steps a day). Excluding Polar users because of how their steps are calculated would have raised the gap to at most 6.5%.

Our interpretation: steps are the simplest, most accessible goal regardless of fitness. People focused on training feel satisfied with their workouts and do not chase extra steps, while smartwatch users focus more on overall movement during the day.

4. 4. Activity Increases With Age

Grouping users into age bands, we found that activity rose with age: on average, each additional year added 47 steps and 36 seconds of intensity to daily activity. The trend was consistent for steps, intensity and calories burned relative to basal metabolic rate.

This contrasts with broader studies showing that activity usually declines with age. One likely reason is that older YuMuuv users are a self-selected group – more tech-savvy and health-interested than their peers. It may also reflect differences in jobs, which we do not track. Either way, it suggests that giving older employees simple tracking tools can pay off.

5. 5. Biological Sex Does Not Affect Activity

The sample included 2,735 women and 1,984 men. Women took just 0.92% more steps than men – within statistical error. Men collected about 3.5% more intensity minutes, and calories burned relative to basal metabolic rate were almost identical (1.51 for women, 1.49 for men). In other words, activity levels were practically the same – a good argument for measuring activity with a formula adjusted to each person, like our activity index.

What This Means for Employers

Device functionality and age had some effect on activity, while sex did not. The most practical takeaway: helping employees get a heart rate tracker is one of the simplest ways to support more, and more intense, everyday activity – a small investment compared with the potential health benefits. Remember that these findings describe the YuMuuv user base, not the general population. For the latest numbers, see our wellness benchmark report.

Want to help your employees move more with very little effort? Book a demo and let's talk through your needs.