In today’s world, technological advancements have opened new possibilities for maintaining our physical health and wellness. A wide range of wellness technology applications and devices are now available that enable us to track our physical activity and monitor the body’s functions. From wearable fitness trackers to smartwatches, these innovative tools make it easier than ever for people to stay on top of their fitness goals and make healthier choices in their daily lives. We would like to draw attention to the advantages and disadvantages that smartwatches present in our daily routines.
Daily physical activity
Everyday activities are light movements done while performing daily tasks. The market has introduced several pedometers and smartwatches, making it possible to conduct more detailed studies on the quality and quantity of daily movements. Increasing daily physical activity is crucial for public health. According to the Käypä Hoito recommendation (2016), adults should engage in either 150 minutes of moderately strenuous exercise, such as brisk walking, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise, such as running, every week. Additionally, muscle-strengthening exercises should be done at least twice a week. (Leppäluoto etc. 2012.)
It’s particularly challenging to meet these exercise recommendations for people who are out of shape and overweight, but doing so would be most beneficial for them. The number of daily steps is important for cardiovascular health. Even exceeding the 5,000-step limit has effects on overweight and blood pressure. By studying the number of steps and the time spent on it, the significance of the intensity of stepping for health benefits can also be determined. According to studies, even 1,000-2,000 steps are enough to gain health benefits if it is done in 10-20 minutes. (Leppäluoto etc. 2012.)
Opportunities
Individuals may struggle with negative self-perception, which can hinder their progress and prevent them benefiting from a healthier life because of physical exercise. It’s essential to recognize and challenge the negative beliefs one has about him/herself. Using a smartwatch to set and monitor achievable goals has been shown to be effective. Positive feedback and incentives can serve as effective activity boosters. (Sullivan & Lachman 2017.)
Smartwatches have emerged as a technological tool that have a positive impact on the health and well-being of individuals, but it is still unclear how long these effects last. One of the key reasons behind the effectiveness of smartwatches is the presence of various features that can help increase physical activity levels. By offering real-time information about one’s physical activity and fitness levels, these devices can motivate individuals to engage in more physical activity and make healthier lifestyle choices. However, it is important to note that long-term lifestyle changes often require a comprehensive behavior change. While smartwatches can be a helpful tool in initiating this change, they cannot guarantee long-term success on their own. Nevertheless, the impact of a smartwatch can be significant in getting individuals to start making positive changes in their lifestyle. (Sullivan & Lachman 2017.)
Threats
There are several situations in which individuals experience stressful reactions when using the smartwatch. The main stressors were different types of interruptions, such as vibration, sound, or other alarms. The invasion of technology and dependency were also perceived as stressors. Dependency emerged as a clear factor and was reflected in behavior and compulsive use of technology. (Nevalainen 2021, 52-53.) The reason for stopping using a smartwatch was the stress caused by tracking the data. Reminder from the watch that one has not slept well or has not exercised enough was perceived as stressful. (Kerimaa 2022, 38–43, 61.) Two participants in the study carried out by Nevalainen (2021, 40) tell about their experiences:
— Feels like I should constantly use it. It was annoying when it vibrated all the time. You can look at your mobile phone whenever you want, but the watch was vibrating all the time so it was disturbing.
— There’s perhaps too much information, there are a lot of features and different sports modes. I feel like I’m so lazy or I’m in a hurry and I don’t even have time to get to know everything and I’m always like, uh, I’ve got the wrong program on here. And it might measure the wrong kilometers or heart rate. Yeah, I feel like there’s too much of everything.
It is difficult to draw direct conclusions related to an individual due to the complexity of personality traits. Personality traits can have some effects on the occurrence or amount of perceived stress. However, it can be stated that those who feel themselves willing to experiment are on average less stressed about using a smartwatch than others. Also, less neurotic person feels less stress towards wellness technology, while a more neurotic person does. (Nevalainen 2021, 53.)
Conclusions
In conclusion, smartwatches are a promising tool for promoting physical activity and reducing a sedentary lifestyle. However, smartwatches are not for everyone. Features that benefit some, irritate others to the point that they stop using the watch. Therefore, perhaps a thorough user guide would be necessary when the goal is to increase daily activity with the help of a smartwatch.
While they offer many benefits, it is important to remember that long-term lifestyle changes require a comprehensive approach that includes other factors such as diet, exercise, and mental health. The smartwatch is particularly crucial for encouraging physical activity among individuals who are the least active and vulnerable to health problems. From a public health perspective, motivating this group would lead to the most positive outcomes. It is worth considering whether it would be advantageous for municipalities to provide or lend smartwatches to promote well-being and health.
Authors / Written by
Annina Kekki, Anette Kuisma, Outi Jäntti and Katja Karilainen, Health and Welfare Coordinator – students
References:
Kerimaa Kata 2022. Älykellojen pitkäaikainen hedoninen ja pragmaattinen käyttäjäkokemus. Jyväskylä: University of Jyväskylä. Cognitive science, Master`s thesis. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:jyu-202206153372 Accessed 20.3.2024.
Leppäluoto, Juhani, Ahola, Riikka, Herzig, Karl-Heinz, Korpelainen, Raija, Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi, Sirkka & Jämsä, Timo 2012. Aikuisten terveysliikunnan laadun ja määrän objektiivinen mittaaminen. Duodecim 2012;128(1):72–9. https://www.duodecimlehti.fi/duo10004 Accessed 17.3.2024.
Nevalainen, Ville 2021. Hyvinvointi- ja liikuntateknologian aiheuttama teknostressi. Jyväskylä: University of Jyväskylä. Information systems science, Master`s thesis. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:jyu-202105313339. Accessed 4.3.2024. Sullivan, A.N & Lachman, M.E. 2017. Behavior change with fitness technology in sedentary adults: A review of the evidence for increasing physical activity. Online publication. Frontiers in Public Health, 4(January). https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2016.00289/full Accessed 12.3.2024.