Tracking and Wearable Health Technology: How the real time feedback improves health goals.
Activity trackers, also known as fitness trackers, are wearable devices (sometimes non-wearable) that monitor and track various aspects of your physical activity and health near real time.
The global wearable technology market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 13.60% during the forecast period 2023 to 2032. The consumer electronics application segment contributed the largest revenue share of 49% in 2022. The fitness & wellness segment is expected to grow at a CAGR 11.2% from 2023 and 2032. The wrist-wear product segment accounted for the largest market share 49.4% in 2022. The eye-wear and head-wear product segment is expected to hit at a CAGR of 14.3% from 2023 to 2032.
Here are some features and benefits of these trackers:
Sensors: Activity trackers contain built-in sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and heart rate monitors. These sensors measure movements, orientation, and heart rate respectively.
Data Collection: The sensors detect your movements and collect data, including the number of steps taken, distance travelled, calories burned, sleep patterns, and heart rate.
Data Processing: The collected data is processed by a microprocessor within the tracker. Algorithms are used to analyze the raw data and make sense of it. These algorithms calculate metrics like step count, active minutes, sleep quality, and heart rate variability.
Display & Feedback: Most trackers have a display screen where you can view real-time information like steps, distance, and heart rate. Some trackers also provide feedback through vibrations or audible alerts to motivate you or indicate achievement of goals.
Data Syncing: Modern activity trackers typically use wireless technologies like Bluetooth NFC to synchronize the collected data with a smartphone or a computer. This allows you to access more detailed information and trends, set goals, and participate in challenges through dedicated apps or online platforms.
User Interface: Activity trackers often come with user-friendly interfaces that allow you to customize settings, view your progress, set goals, and interact with other features directly on the device or through a companion mobile app.
There are several gadgets used for fitness and health management. Some of them are:
Smartwatches: that help heart rate monitoring, step counting, sleep tracking, and more. They often have additional functions such as GPS, music control, and notifications.
Smartphone Notifications: trackers can sync with your smartphone and display notifications for calls, texts, or calendar reminders.
Heart Rate Monitor: provides real-time information about your heart rate, enabling you to monitor and optimize your workouts. Trackers monitoring vital signs can also correlate this with medication schedules.
Smart Scales: measure weight, body fat percentage, muscle mass, and BMI, connecting to apps for tracking progress.
Blood Pressure Monitors: allow home monitoring of blood pressure, useful for hypertensive patients and cardiovascular care.
Sleep Trackers: monitor sleep patterns, providing insights for better sleep. They can also trigger medication reminders (e.g., antiepileptic drugs before bedtime).
Smart Water Bottles: track hydration and send reminders throughout the day.
Personalized Coaching: provides tailored advice based on activity data.
Stress Tracking: measures stress levels and offers relaxation techniques.
Geriatric or Elderly Care: trackers paired with apps can remind seniors to take medications and notify caregivers of missed doses. AI-enabled dispensers further improve adherence.
Educational Content & Motivational Feedback: apps highlight the importance of medication adherence, boosting motivation through positive reinforcement.
Data Sharing with Healthcare Providers: enables timely interventions by sharing adherence data.
Support and Community: group functionalities allow users to share experiences and challenges.
Integration with Other Devices: trackers can work with smart pill dispensers to prompt reminders if medication is missed. Example: antiretroviral therapy for HIV patients.
Conclusion
These examples underscore the potential of activity trackers and interconnected technologies in facilitating medication adherence, providing a blend of reminders, monitoring, and support for users. In conclusion, while activity trackers are primarily designed for monitoring physical activity, their functionalities can be extended and integrated into broader health ecosystems, making them valuable tools for enhancing medication adherence.