Over the past few decades, technology has expanded and evolved at an unprecedented rate and is now interwoven within almost all areas of life. The health sector is no different, and now many devices are available directly to the consumer for use in daily life. As with many things, there are pros and cons to these devices, so it felt pertinent to showcase some of the options out there. Then a few small ways that these devices can help…or perhaps hinder your healthy new habit for 2024!
- Fitness trackers: Fitbit is the first brand that jumps to mind, a long-term player in the fitness wearable market. Fitbits are usually wrist-based devices that can measure step count, heart rate, and distance travelled (via GPS) and their more advanced models have started to operate more like a full Smartwatch.
- Think Garmin, Suunto, or Apple Watch. These devices have steadily increased in processing power and are now able to measure much more than just step count. They have GPS connectivity, full maps including off-grid, phone connectivity, integrated wrist-based heart rate monitors, sleep detectors, oxygen saturation meters, accelerometers, and more. Some models are designed specifically for runners, whilst others have features more useful for tramping, hiking, and mountaineering. Many of the higher-end watches can even be used as a diving watch.
- Oura or Motiv ring: This form of health monitoring has grown in the last 5-8 years and is the most subtle way to monitor activity levels, heart rate, stress, and sleep hygiene. Like Fitbits and Smart watches, they use infrared sensors to measure heart rate. They then connect to a smartphone App where you can track the quality of your sleep and other health metrics including stress levels or recovery after exercise. Stress scores are typically calculated using algorithms based on medical studies investigating heart rate variability with exercise and recovery. Elevated heart rate can also be a sign of an overloaded immune system; typically, during illness or following injury.
- ECG or Blood pressure monitors: Though these devices certainly stem from the medical world, there are now wearable chest straps that can detect cardiac function from home. With smartphone connectivity this allows the user to understand if their cardiac function is being affected by stress, exercise, or other factors. More advanced smartwatches now have integrated blood pressure monitors that have an inflatable cuff within the strap of the watch itself. Other watches will use similar infra-red sensors of pulse waves, that through algorithms can accurately calculate blood pressure.
- Glucose monitors: Though not for the average consumer, Diabetics have had a new lease on life with the invention of wearable glucose monitors. Once again smartphone connectivity has meant that they do not have to prick their finger for frequent blood-sugar testing. For many, this has meant their blood sugar levels are more stable because alerts can be set up on the phone that allows the individual to respond in real-time to any changes.
Pros:
With such a wide range of wearable health devices available, there are certainly some benefits to be mentioned. Firstly, they can help you work towards a goal through simple visual data for example increasing your step count or distance walked. With increased physical activity these wearables can be used to monitor training volumes to help reduce your risk of injury. There are definite safety features when hiking, tramping, or hunting in the great outdoors if you happen to use a wearable with not only health measures but also GPS maps and satellite connectivity to emergency services. From a lifestyle perspective, there are advantages to understanding your sleep patterns to help you deal with the stresses of daily life. From a medical perspective blood pressure, cardiac, and glucose monitoring wearables are great at reducing the burden of health conditions. They can also help your doctor make more informed decisions about your condition because they have more data to help them analyse your condition.
Cons:
As with everything though there are some downsides. In clinical practice, we frequently meet people for whom those step-count targets, distance ran, or effort exerted has become somewhat of an obsession. In fact, at times I will advocate removing the Smartwatch or Fitbit and getting back to walking or running ‘by feel’. Though the motivation or sense of competition that all of the data often creates can be positive; it can become overbearing. This can be like a regular reading of poor sleep hygiene, high levels of stress, elevated blood pressure, or a constantly high heart rate. For many, this can become a negative cycle that feels impossible to get out of. Instead of being able to turn this into a reason for self-improvement; it can have the opposite effect where people just give up.
Take home message:
Wearable tech for health is an exciting and ever-expanding industry and there are certainly many devices worth looking into. The best advice is to figure out what question you are hoping to answer by purchasing or using one. The ‘so what’ piece. If you figure that out and there is a device available to help you then go for it!
Nb. Written as Health columnist for the Hibiscus Matters.
