Nearly half of joggers reckon their run 'doesn't count’ unless they’ve tracked it

A poll of 1,000 runners found 44 per cent wouldn’t take their cardio seriously if they didn’t have a record of it.

More than nine in 10 (93 per cent) claim monitoring their fitness helps them feel more confident in their overall journey, while 32 per cent often adjust their routine based on insights from their data tracking.

It also emerged 21 per cent consider what their tracking data recommends over how they are feeling, and 28 per cent reckon their running would worsen if they didn’t have the tech to track it.

Jacob Kiplimo, world record holder and TeamGalaxy athlete who trains with the Samsung Galaxy Watch8, which commissioned the study, said: “Consistency is key, but what many people don’t realise is that recovery is equally as important as physical training.

"To compete at your best, you need to maximise your energy, and the only way to do that is through consistent rest.

“Seeing progress mapped out in real time can make a run feel more tangible and rewarding - helping people stay engaged with their goals and take pride in how far they’ve come.

“But at the same time it also highlights how deeply technology is now woven into our exercise habits."

The study also found 75 per cent of runners who track their fitness said their running progress is directly informed by their tracking device.

Distance (64 per cent), heart rate (62 per cent) and duration (61 per cent) are among the most popular metrics to track – with only 14 per cent keeping an eye on recovery and 15 per cent stress.

But 49 per cent of fitness-tracking runners have previously gone for a run despite their smart device telling them to focus on rest and recovery. Of those, 39 per cent did not run to their full potential, 35 per cent had to stop several times, and 28 per cent even regretted their exercise as it didn’t feel productive.

During the recovery period, a hot bath or shower is the most popular method (50 per cent), 42 per cent prefer to stay hydrated, and 36 per cent opt for high protein intake.

Once the R&R is over, 56 per cent of those polled, via OnePoll.com, typically run a cool 5K – while an impressive 36 per cent complete half marathons.

When quizzed on marathons in general, 82 per cent feel inspired by runners who complete the full 26 miles, with 45 per cent keen to sign up to one next year.

Annika Bizon at Samsung UK & Ireland, said: “Running has become more data-driven than ever before, and that’s not a bad thing.

"Tracking can be incredibly motivating and can help people see just how far they’ve come, but what’s equally important is listening to your body.

“We’re helping runners see the full picture of their health, from sleep and recovery to performance, so they can train in a way that’s more balanced, more informed and more sustainable.”