Written by Haarika Gogineni and Edited by Ariel Min
As a part of the Information Age, individuals in current society are constantly flooded with notifications of information and messages. To keep up with all media and conversations whilst balancing a busy schedule, individuals have begun to rely on wearable computers such as smartwatches and activity trackers. As such, a large majority of people ranging from teenagers to senior citizens carry portable devices which advertise many health benefits, such as being able to track exactly how many steps they have walked, how fast their hearts are beating, and even how many times they have stood that day. However, despite the widespread support, many people continuously debate the validity, accuracy and importance of these devices as “fitness trackers” and believe their popularity to be the result of novelty rather than actual benefits [1]. Some argue that the popularity of these devices represents a social phenomenon in which people become attracted to the object for its significance in society rather than its merit as an object.
Despite publications in the media about new medical studies that relate the importance of remaining physically active, many people are considered to perform below the acceptable level of exercise. Approximately 40% of adults in the U.S. alone were found to be obese, and the number has been steadily increasing through the years [2]. Many companies market smartwatches as a tool through which one can share and advertise their personal fitness with the rest of the world – promoting a healthier lifestyle by socializing the activity and making fitness more competitive and fun. Two important companies which rely on this tactic are Apple and Fitbit Inc, whose Apple Watch and Fitbit Alta devices are prominent in the market [3]. One study, in particular, compared the two popular devices, the Apple Watch 1 and the Fitbit Charge HR, and found that the Apple Watch resulted in more accurate and more valid findings than the Fitbit. As a result, the Apple Watch has quickly become the most popular and mainstream option for smartwatches and fitness trackers, especially amongst college students [4]. However, along with the increase in popularity for fitness devices arises the question of their necessity and their effect on health, since many people wonder whether fitness watches are truly necessary to maintain healthy lifestyles or whether they more accurately represent a societal factor.
One of the most crucial roles of the activity tracker is, surprisingly enough, a means to distinguish one’s identity and repertoire in society rather than a method to increase physical fitness. Beyond the health-related effects that it might aid, there are also societal implications behind wearing one, such as a display of wealth or a demonstration of one’s physical fitness. Each fitness tracker varies in price; however, many popular choices such as the Apple Watch and Fitbit, range from $100 to $300. This monumental sum is a unique factor in and of itself, and by simply wearing such a device, people may be making the statement that they have money to spend on a luxury item, which others may not be able to afford. To put it simply, the smart watches become another brand name item which distinguishes those with money and those without. Moreover, another societal factor tied to activity trackers is that by wearing one, people are advertising that they are physically active and defy the majority of American adults who do not meet recommended exercise levels [5]. This adds another level of superiority and self-confidence for those who wear fitness trackers. This rationale supports that there are societal implications to take into account regarding the performance of activity trackers.
Regardless of the studies being conducted and the results found on the issue, people continue to buy activity trackers for various reasons and the benefits of the trackers remain dependent on the individual’s motive for purchasing and using the device. Furthermore, regardless of the claims that fitness trackers do not aid in improving health or physical fitness, these devices have been proven to aid those with medical disorders through features such as emergency assistance and alerts. There have been many documented cases in which the Apple Watch’s Heart Rate Monitoring feature has detected severe abnormalities such as heart arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation, saving the lives of many across the globe [6]. As a result, people can neither state conclusively that fitness trackers can improve health or alter body functions, nor can they state otherwise. Currently, wearable fitness accessories have progressed a great deal as monuments of technology, and despite the reports debating their validity, people will continue to use and adapt them to meet their needs.
References:
1. Godman, Heidi. (2015). Can digital fitness trackers get you moving? Harvard Health Blog: Exercise and Fitness.
2. Anon. (2018). National Obesity Rates and Trends. The State of Obesity.
3. Bai, Y., Hibbing, P., Mantis, C., Welk, G.J. (2018). Comparative evaluation of heart rate-based monitors: Apple Watch vs Fitbit Charge HR. Journal of Sports Scientific, 36 (15): 1734-1741.
4. Zhang, P., Godin, S.D., Owens, M.V. (2018). Measuring the validity and reliability of the Apple Watch as a physical activity monitor. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness.
5. Zhu, Y., Dailey, S., Kreitzberg, D., Bernhardt, J. (2017). “Social Networkout”: Connecting Social Features of Wearable Fitness Trackers with Physical Exercise. Journal of Health Community, 22 (12): 974-980.
6. Shortsleeve, Cassie. (2018). This Apple Watch Feature Helped Save a Man’s Life. Men’s Journal.