The Huawei Watch Ultimate's heart rate monitoring, like many wearable devices, can be affected by several conditions that may lead to inaccuracies. Here are some specific scenarios where the heart rate monitoring might not be reliable:
1. Extreme Low Temperatures: Cold environments can cause blood vessels to constrict, reducing blood flow and potentially leading to inaccurate heart rate readings. It is recommended to warm up before taking measurements in such conditions[3][11].
2. Incorrect Wrist Placement: If the watch is not securely fastened or is positioned incorrectly on the wrist, it may fail to accurately measure heart rate. It should be worn slightly above the wrist joint for optimal results[3].
3. Obstructions on the Skin: Tattoos, scars, or excessive hair on the wrist can interfere with the light reflection needed for heart rate measurement, leading to inaccuracies[3][11].
4. Excessive Sweating: During intense workouts, excessive sweating can cause the watch to slip or obstruct the light reflection, affecting accuracy. It is advisable to wipe off sweat and reattach the watch properly[3].
5. Irregular Movements: Activities with irregular movements, such as basketball or weightlifting, can make it difficult for the watch to accurately measure heart rate[3].
6. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): The Watch Ultimate, like many smartwatches, may struggle to capture extreme peaks and valleys in heart rate during HIIT activities, which can lead to inaccuracies in tracking rapid changes[9].
7. Low Fitness Levels or Health Conditions: Individuals with low fitness levels or certain health conditions (e.g., weak heartbeat, clogged blood vessels, or heart disease) may experience inaccurate readings due to reduced blood flow or other physiological factors[11].
In cases where high accuracy is crucial, such as during intense training sessions, using a third-party Bluetooth chest strap monitor might be advisable to ensure more precise heart rate tracking[4].
Citations:
[1] https://www.t3.com/reviews/huawei-watch-ultimate-review
[2] https://www.huaweicentral.com/huawei-watch-tip-how-to-use-heart-rate-monitor-and-continuous-heart-rate-tracking/
[3] https://consumer.huawei.com/en/support/content/en-us00737221/
[4] https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/smartwatches/1418577/huawei-watch-ultimate-review
[5] https://consumer.huawei.com/en/support/content/en-us15759710/
[6] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11230110/
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7M-N0Cv0hQ
[8] https://consumer.huawei.com/en/support/content/en-us00737153/
[9] https://www.androidauthority.com/huawei-watch-ultimate-review-3335995/
[10] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-0V1S56wFo
[11] https://consumer.huawei.com/en/support/content/en-us00733859/