Apple advances health and fitness capabilities using Apple Intelligence
Apple unveiled advanced health and fitness features for Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, including a new Health Sensing System, higher-frequency HRV measurements, and a redesigned Health app with Apple Intelligence insights.
Apple introduced the Health Sensing System for Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, featuring new optical and electrical heart sensors that enable higher-frequency heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) measurements. The system also introduces a readiness score and a more comprehensive Vitals overview, including HRV, alongside an updated Heart Rate app. Accuracy was validated in a study of over 1,000 participants, where Apple Watch demonstrated the highest heart rate accuracy compared to leading wearables.
The new system measures heart rate every five seconds continuously, providing deeper insights into fitness and physiological state. HRV, a key stress and recovery indicator, is now measured as often as every five minutes—24 times more frequently than before—and displayed in a dedicated section of the Heart Rate app. Two HRV variants are available: Recovery HRV for daily stress signals and overall HRV for broader health insights, including cardiovascular health.
A new readiness feature analyzes recent activity, vitals, and sleep to generate a daily 0-10 score with actionable recommendations such as Recover, Pace Yourself, Ready, or Go For It. The scoring algorithm was developed using data from the Apple Heart and Movement Study, in collaboration with exercise scientists and physicians. Readiness updates throughout the day based on new data, such as intense workouts or shifts in daytime vitals.
The redesigned Health app on iPhone, powered by Apple Intelligence, offers a holistic view of long-term health with easy-to-understand insights. It includes an Insights tab for real-time summaries across heart, sleep, readiness, fitness, and cycle tracking, and a new Longevity tab that analyzes longitudinal health data. The Longevity tab features Health Age, which compares user metrics to chronological age using science-backed algorithms and data from Apple Watch and lab results.