Wearable Validation — GAP Score Testing

Initiative: BioThread Status: Planning Created: 2026-03-19

Objective

Validate the GAP Score algorithm using wearable biometric data from Jeff (Garmin Fenix 8) and his wife (Garmin Venu 3).

Test Subjects

Jeff — Garmin Fenix 8

• Elevate v6 sensor (newest, most accurate)
• Full sensor suite: HRV, sleep staging, stress, Body Battery, running dynamics, running power, training load/effect, ECG
• Role: Primary test subject — full GAP Score metric coverage

Jeff's Wife — Garmin Venu 3

• Elevate v5 sensor
• Core sensors: HRV, sleep staging, stress, Body Battery, Pulse Ox, respiration, skin temp
• Missing vs Fenix 8: Running dynamics, running power, training load/effect
• Role: Secondary test subject — validates GAP Score works with core sensor subset

Sensor Comparison

Metric	Fenix 8	Venu 3	GAP Score Required?
Optical HR	✅ v6	✅ v5	Yes (core)
HRV monitoring	✅	✅	Yes (core)
Sleep staging	✅	✅	Yes (core)
Body Battery	✅	✅	Yes (core)
Stress tracking	✅	✅	Yes (core)
Pulse Ox	✅	✅	Optional
Respiration rate	✅	✅	Optional
Skin temp	✅	✅	Optional
Running Dynamics	✅	❌	Advanced only
Running Power	✅	❌	Advanced only
Training Load/Effect	✅	❌	Advanced only
ECG	✅	❌	No

GAP Score Level 1 Viability

Both watches support the core inputs needed for Level 1 GAP Score validation: - Overnight HRV - Sleep quality/staging - Stress score - Body Battery drain/recovery

Recommendation: Start with the common sensor set for core algorithm validation. Advanced metrics (running dynamics, training load) are Fenix 8 exclusive and can be tested as premium features.

Next Steps

1. Research Garmin Connect API / data export options
2. Design validation protocol (baseline period, data collection, scoring)
3. Start collecting baseline data
4. Atlas: Research public datasets for retroactive GAP Score validation