Wearables are trending
Currently, nearly 93% of the UK population owns a smartphone and approximately 1 in 5 of these have at least one wearable, such as smartwatches or fitness trackers. And the number of users is expected to grow year on year.
Until recently, wearables have focused on the ability to measure components of activity and fitness (e.g. steps and minutes of activity), but manufacturers are now adding features that allow users to monitor their health. Recent wearable technology from leading manufacturers like Apple and Fitbit claim to measure a host of medical metrics.
Do they live up to their promises?
There is an abundance of research that has looked at the accuracy of wearable technology for measurements including step counts, heart rate and number of calories burned. In general, step counts are highly accurate, and heart rate is reasonably accurate, but calories burned can be very inaccurate.
When study participants wear two different activity trackers simultaneously, the numbers recorded on each are similar, but not exactly the same. This suggests that they are capturing the same information, but the manufacturers have their own unique calculations to turn the data from the sensors on the wearable into information we can understand.
Beyond fitness
Manufacturers are adding features that allow users to monitor their health as well as their fitness and activity, including blood pressure, amount of oxygen in the blood and even heart activity.
In 2019, Apple sponsored a study looking at the accuracy of their Apple Watches to detect atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rhythm). Of the 400,000+ people who wore the Apple Watch, over 2000 participants received an irregular pulse notification, 84% of which were subsequently confirmed to have atrial fibrillation. A similar study of Fitbit watches to detect atrial fibrillation, showed that Fitbits also accurately detect this condition. These types of monitors can be important for health reasons beyond monitoring physical activity, but it is important not to rely solely on wearables to detect medical conditions.
Are they effective?
Hundreds of studies have used wearable tech to try to increase physical activity. Studies suggest that wearables are effective in helping people become more physically active and lose weight equating to 1800 extra steps a day, 40 minutes per day of activity, and a reduction of approximately 1kg in body weight.
But do they work in the long term?
Most of the research to date has looked at the effects of wearables over the short term (under 6 months) with less information on their effectiveness in the longer-term of several years. From the limited research we have, the evidence suggests that the effects of wearables on physical activity are sustained over time.
Final word
Accuracy and effectiveness aside, wearable users typically report being satisfied with their devices. So, if you enjoy wearing yours, just know the research suggests it could help improve your health and fitness.
Dr James Sanders Senior Research Associate in Digital Health