Smartwatches are revolutionizing personal fitness: are there any drawbacks?

After years of struggle, a few months ago I finally managed to overcome my aversion to running. When I started running, one of the first things I felt I needed was a fitness watch or smartwatch.

While I was able to get through my first few runs without a smartwatch, it felt strange not having one on. Not being able to monitor my heart rate, oxygen saturation, and steps while I was exercising felt like driving blindfolded, and like I was at a loss as to what to do, potentially putting me in a dangerous situation.

It was around that time that I started noticing the wrists of the people around me. Almost everyone had them, even those who didn’t exercise.

While smartwatches and wearable health technology are nothing new, they are now more accessible and affordable than ever before, permeating our lives like never before.

Wearable health technology such as fitness trackers and smartwatches are used by a wide range of people, not just serious athletes. They can collect and track simple health data such as the number of steps taken per day and heart rate, while more advanced technology can analyze sleep quality and irregular heartbeats (irregular heartbeats).

They have obvious advantages. According to experts: fit From what we’ve heard, wearable health technology can help you monitor your general health metrics. Having this information at your fingertips can help you:

A 2022 UK study found that self-monitoring health indicators and being conscious of how much physical activity they get in a day encourages individuals to take greater responsibility for their own health and wellbeing.

talk fit“These devices motivate users to adopt a healthier lifestyle by setting fitness goals and tracking progress,” said Dr. Hageevan Kang, one of the study’s authors, from the Centre for Health Service Management at the University of Birmingham in the UK. “For people without major health problems, these benefits can improve overall health and prevent future health problems.”

While anyone interested in improving their overall health and well-being can benefit from wearable health tech, “it’s particularly useful for people with chronic illnesses,” says Dr. Vaibhav Kapoor, co-founder of Gurugram-based health tech company Pristine Care.

“Wearable health technologies have the potential to significantly shape the future of healthcare by facilitating preventive care. Continuous monitoring could detect early warning signs of underlying health conditions, allowing for more timely intervention.”

Dr. Vaibhav Kapoor

In fact, a small study found that ECG readings taken with a smartwatch may be just as accurate as traditional ECGs administered in a medical setting when it comes to diagnosing heart attacks and strokes, according to a recent paper published by Harvard Medical School.

talk fit“These devices are advanced and highly accurate, which means they can be used for medical purposes, especially for remote patient monitoring,” explains Dr Ajay Kaul, head of cardiac sciences at Fortis Hospitals, Noida.

“These devices can detect some arrhythmias at a very early stage. They can also help detect sleep apnea, which is a life-threatening condition,” he added.

“The data collected, compared to snapshot readings obtained during occasional office visits, can provide healthcare providers with a comprehensive picture of a patient’s health over time, improving diagnosis and individualized treatment plans,” Dr. Kapoor added.

Mina (Name changed)A Delhi-based media professional in his 40s said: fit,

“I had a really bad bout of COVID-19 and it took me a while to recover. Any movement increases my heart rate. But having my smartwatch monitor and record my heart rate has helped me track my progress and understand my limits. I feel reassured when I exercise with my smartwatch on, but I wear it all day.”

Additionally, Dr. Kaul points out that new models of wearable health technology include fall detection and emergency alert features that could be particularly useful for older adults.

“I gifted the fitness watch to my elderly mother who lives alone in another state. It gives me peace of mind as I can track her health from my mobile phone. It also alerts me in case of any fall or abnormalities in her heart rate and blood pressure,” says Rajat, 56. (Name changed)Chartered Accountant, Mumbai.

Sure, smartwatches with fitness trackers are very useful and will likely play a bigger role in healthcare as the technology advances, but is that the result of relying too heavily on smartwatches? Are there any health risks associated with using wearable health devices?

“One downside is that it can create data overload and anxiety,” Dr. Kang says. “Constant tracking can lead to an unhealthy obsession with health metrics, which can cause stress and anxiety.”

Dr Kapoor further warned: “Despite the increased convenience and health awareness, some people may become overly dependent on their devices, checking them frequently and feeling stressed about their health data.”

Many people in the wearable tech community have reported symptoms like dizziness, nausea, anxiety and insomnia associated with prolonged use of smartwatches, which is why many are now forgoing them altogether.

Privacy concerns also arise as sensitive health data is continually collected and stored, raising questions about data security and ownership.

In 2014, FitBit users reported rashes, blisters and burning sensations on their wrists, prompting a recall of all Fitbit Force devices, which the company blamed at the time on a chemical allergic reaction to nickel in the devices.

There are also questions about whether these devices emit radiation, like cell phones, and whether prolonged exposure could cause health problems.

Here’s the science: Wearable technology typically uses low-power radio frequency (RF) transmitters to send and receive data from smartphones and the internet. RF transmitters emit radio waves, a type of non-ionizing radiation.

According to the US CDC, exposure to RF radiation from smart devices is low enough to cause long-term health problems, but years of research have confirmed that it is not without risk.

A large-scale study conducted in 2019 showed non-specific symptoms as biological hazards due to exposure to wireless devices, especially with long-term use.

The study specifically found evidence that long-term exposure to low levels of electromagnetic radiation can cause physiological and morphological effects in bees, plants and trees, as well as neurological symptoms in children.

However, there is still not enough strong scientific evidence directly linking smartwatches to health risks.

Ultimately, when it comes to our physical and mental health, fitness trackers can have both positive and negative effects depending on how we use them.

While tracking one’s progress and achieving health goals can boost self-esteem and motivation, “obsessive monitoring of health indicators can lead to anxiety and compulsive behaviors,” Dr Kang said, adding that “comparing one’s progress to the performance of peers may heighten users’ self-perceptions or have negative impacts.”

That’s why it’s important to use these devices as complementary tools and not as a substitute for specialized medical care, he says.

Dr Vaibhav Kapur agreed, adding: “It’s important to use wearable technology as a tool for improvement, not a constant source of comparison and pressure.”

How can I do this?

• Set realistic goals. Focus on progress, not perfection.

• Balance data and intuition: Trust your body’s signals, but also use data as a guide.

• Take breaks: To prevent burnout, avoid constant monitoring.

• Prioritize your overall health: Don’t let wearable technology become a source of stress.

• Consult a medical professional: Use wearable data as a supplement to medical advice.