Fitbit Alta: Tracking Sleep And Unlocking Dreams

The Fitbit Alta HR is a slim fitness wearable that tracks your sleep using a combination of movement and heart-rate monitoring. The device delves deeper into sleep analysis than other fitness trackers, using accelerometer data, an algorithm, and heart rate variability to determine the stages of sleep. This allows the Alta HR to estimate the different stages of sleep, including REM, deep, and light sleep, and track how long the user stays in each phase. The data can be reviewed on the Fitbit app, which displays a detailed graph and breakdown of the user's sleep duration and quality. This information can be used to assess sleep health, look for trends, and make informed decisions about sleep habits and overall health.

Fitbit Alta HR's sleep-tracking tool

The Fitbit Alta HR's sleep-tracking tool uses accelerometer data, heart rate variability, and an algorithm to track your sleep. This allows the device to delve deeper into sleep analysis than other fitness trackers. It can estimate what stage of sleep you're in, including REM, deep, or light sleep, and track how long you stay in each phase. This information can be viewed through the Fitbit app, which displays a detailed graph and bar chart showing your time in each sleep stage.

The Alta HR's sleep-tracking feature works by detecting your heart rate and movement to determine your sleep cycles. It can distinguish between light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep based on the beat-to-beat changes in your heart rate, known as heart rate variability (HRV). This data is then used to provide insights into your sleep habits and overall health, as well as tips for improving your sleep.

The device also includes a Sleep Insights feature, which allows you to compare your sleep data with benchmarks for people of the same age and gender. This can help you assess if you're getting a healthy amount of sleep and make informed decisions about your sleep habits. Additionally, the Alta HR can alert you when it's time to go to bed to meet your sleep goals.

While the Alta HR's sleep-tracking tool is generally accurate, there are some limitations. For example, if your arm moves and nudges the device out of position during sleep, it may not accurately track your sleep stages. Additionally, if you sleep for less than three hours or your battery level is low, the device may only provide movement-based data about your sleep.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the Fitbit Alta HR's sleep-tracking tool provides valuable insights into your sleep patterns and can help you make informed decisions to improve your sleep quality.

Heart rate variability

Fitbit uses its heart rate sensor, PurePulse technology, to detect the amount of blood flowing through the wrist. When the heart beats, the flow of blood—and as a result, the green light absorbed—is greater. These lights are then flashed hundreds of times per second to gain the most accurate BPM (beats per minute) data.

Fitbit's sleep-tracking feature uses accelerometer data and an algorithm to determine when the wearer is asleep. The Alta HR also taps into the wearer's heart rate variability as a source of information. This allows Fitbit to estimate what stage of sleep the wearer is in (REM, deep, or light sleep) and to track how long they stay in each phase. The Alta HR's sleep stage-tracking tool presents this information in a colourful, detailed sine-like wave graph. Below this is a bar chart that breaks down the exact duration of each zone.

The heart rate tracking feature on Fitbit watches and trackers automatically measures the variation of time between each heartbeat (HRV) along with the resting heart rate and sends the stats to the Fitbit app. The user can then use the Health Metrics dashboard to view any significant changes, which can help them understand if their body is showing potential signs of stress, illness, or fatigue.

Sleep stages

Sleep is an essential part of our lives and getting a good night's rest is crucial for our health and well-being. Fitbit's Alta HR device offers advanced sleep tracking features, providing detailed insights into your sleep stages. Understanding your sleep patterns can help you make informed decisions to improve your sleep quality.

The device utilizes heart rate variability (HRV) to estimate your sleep stages. HRV refers to the changes in the time interval between heartbeats, which vary across light, deep, and REM sleep. This data, combined with movement tracking, allows Fitbit Alta HR to determine the specific sleep stage you are in.

When you wake up, you can sync your Fitbit with the mobile app to review your sleep data. The app will display a detailed graph showing your sleep stages throughout the night. It will indicate how long you spent in each stage, including light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep. This information can help you identify patterns and make adjustments to improve your sleep.

Additionally, the Fitbit app provides a "Sleep Insights" feature, which allows you to compare your sleep performance with benchmarks based on your age and gender. This comparison can offer valuable context to your sleep data, helping you understand if you're getting the recommended amount of sleep for your demographic.

Sleep Insights

However, problems can arise when sleep is disrupted, or if the wearer moves their arm during sleep, disrupting the device's tracking. To mitigate this, the Alta HR can be fastened tighter than usual, although this may be uncomfortable. The Fitbit app's Sleep Insights feature also allows users to compare their sleep data to benchmarks for their age and gender. This data can be used to assess if the user is getting a healthy amount of sleep and to improve sleep quality.

Actigraphy

However, it is important to note that actigraphy cannot be considered a substitute for polysomnography, which may still be required for certain sleep disorders. Actigraphy does not provide measures for brain activity (EEG), eye movements (EOG), muscle activity (EMG), or heart rhythm (ECG).

Frequently asked questions