Wearable technologies are electronic devices that can be worn on the wrist, chest, arm or hip. They offer a variety of health and wellness capabilities ranging from tracking physical activity and location, to measuring body temperature, oxygen saturation, irregular heart rhythms, sleep patterns and resting heart rate. Although early studies indicate these innovations have the potential to complement traditional healthcare practices, there are several social, ethical and ecological risks associated with their use (Scheid et al., 2023). This week I have curated resources to explore this innovation further.

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A 2018 study by Statista, indicates that some form of wearable health and wellness technology can be found in 22% of Canadian households, making them the most popular wearable devices in Canada. The largest uptake is in  Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba (Activity Fitness Tracker Penetration Rate in Canada, 2018). As a group fitness instructor, I have observed the progressive use of wearable technologies by group fitness participants of all ages, in the last 10 years. I also own wearable devices and use them to track my own fitness and weight loss journey. My first featured resource discusses the evolution and uptake of wearable technology in Canada. The article also explores the benefits and social disparities associated with their use. The article can be viewed here.

 

According to Scheid et al., 2023, wearable devices have the potential to be used as a tool to help prevent and manage common chronic illnesses such as obesity, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, within a clinical setting. The authors explore potential benefits like assisting in the clinical management of chronic disease. They also highlight risks such as over-reliance, inaccuracy and data privacy issues. They conclude that more research is needed to understand the opportunities for enhancing health and healthcare for Canadians. The article can be found here.

 

Larsen et al., (2022) discuss the use of wearable devices for promoting and monitoring physical activity in overweight adults  The authors explore existing research which has gleaned “modest” results in increasing activity levels in overweight individuals. They conclude that more studies are required to understand the use of fitness trackers for improving physical activity and health outcomes for overweight people. This resource can be found here.

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Finally, I would like to share a video by the Swiss Learning Exchange which discusses the international promise and downside of modern electronic wearables for managing health. The video provides advice on how we can leverage these technologies, while balancing the risks and discusses the importance of regulation and consumer rights as these technologies evolve. The video can be viewed here.

 

 

Curated Resources

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Activity fitness tracker penetration rate in Canada 2018. (n.d.). Statista. Retrieved November 25, 2023, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1036752/canada-activity-fitness-tracker-ownership-rate-by-province/

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Fitness Trackers: The Risks and Benefits. (2022). Retrieved November 25, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol-5WO_CLuc

 

Fitness: Wearable technology has come a long way. (2023). Montreal gazette. Retrieved November 26, 2023, from https://montrealgazette.com/health/diet-fitness/fitness-wearable-technology-has-come-a-long-way

 

 Larsen, R. T., Wagner, V., Korfitsen, C. B., Keller, C., Juhl, C. B., Langberg, H., & Christensen, J. (2022). Effectiveness of physical activity monitors in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ, 376, e068047. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2021-068047

 

Scheid, J. L., Reed, J. L., & West, S. L. (2023). Commentary: Is Wearable Fitness Technology a Medically Approved Device? Yes and No. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(13), 6230. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20136230

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