WHOOP has released its Year in Review, an anonymised aggregated data review drawn from its global membership base.

The review is interesting in that it paints a picture of what we did in terms of physical activity and sleep over the course of the last twelve months and how that differed to 2020.

Running was the most popular activity registered by Ireland-based WHOOP users, with walking and cycling in second and third respectively. 2021 was also the year to try something new, with 37% of WHOOP members registering a new activity.

However, interestingly activity levels dwindled in Ireland, decreasing month on month from May onwards. We did at least keep things going a little longer than the rest of the world who started to decline from April.

Globally Functional fitness retained its position as the number one activity across both ’20 and ’21. followed by cycling and running.

Golf performed strongly rising from 7th to 6th this year while swimming got back in the Top 10 this year as well.

On average WHOOP users logged 180 activities this year, for 190 hours – that’s eight days of continuous activity – equating to around 77,476 calories burned.

The start of the year is when many make resolutions to take up a new sport or get fit, but around 80% of people who make a New Year’s resolution drop them by the second week of February. It’s unsurprising then that the month where the fewest activities were recorded was February.

Recovery

New Year’s Day 2021 had the lowest average recovery score this year at 48%, with the highest average recovery score of 67% recorded on July 20.

Tuesday had the highest average score for the week at 64%, with Saturday the lowest at 56%, most likely due to increasing socialisation or changing sleep habits.

Taking turmeric, caffeine and hydrating well had the best impact on recovery, whilst drinking alcohol, being sick and sleeping at altitude had the worst.

Sleep performance is key for maintaining optimal fitness, health and wellbeing, and WHOOP data found that the best month for sleep performance in 2021 was January (84%), decreasing as the year went on, with Friday (79%) the worst day for sleep performance and Sunday (83%) the best.

WHOOP users in Ireland recorded their lowest level of sleep in July 2021, which coincides with the easing of a number of restrictions across the country; such as increased numbers at outdoor events, and pilot sporting events taking place.

Groundbreaking research from WHOOP helped users identify symptoms of COVID-19 through elevated respiratory rate, with 80% of COVID-19 positive cases identified by the third day of symptoms.

Differences in physiological data were recorded after taking the COVID-19 vaccine, with resting heart rate and respiratory rate elevated the first night following vaccination, returning to baseline by the fourth night. Deviations in resting heart rate and respiratory rate were larger for females than males and larger in younger members than older members.

It’s a fascinating insight into how we behave in relation to fitness and Sport for Business will be working cloely with the Irish Whoop team in 2022 to bring more data and insights.

 

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