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2nd Edition: Wearable Technology and Health

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2024 | Viewed by 12695

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Dr. Jennifer L. Scheid

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Guest Editor

Health Promotion and Physical Therapy, Daemen College, Amherst, NY 14226, USA
Interests: female athlete triad; metabolism; exercise; fitness; food intake; measuring physical activity; wearable technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Physical activity level, sedentary behavior, and sleep are risk factors that impact health and wellness. Wearable fitness technology has been a top three fitness trend since 2016 (ACSM, 2021). Wearable technology typically includes devices worn on the wrist, chest, arm, hip, or any other part of the body that can measure physical activity, sedentary behavior, and/or sleep. Fitness watches (e.g., those made by Apple, Fitbit, Garmin, Misfit, and Polar) have become particularly popular and can measure physical activity and sleep. At a basic level, most fitness watches and activity monitors are a type of pedometer or accelerometer. Pedometers measure the steps taken, while accelerometers measure movement in multiple directions. Upgraded fitness watches and activity monitors also determine the heart rate and employ the Global Positioning System (GPS). This information can be integrated with the accelerometer data to obtain a detailed knowledge of daily physical activity and sedentary behavior. In addition, these fitness watches and activity monitors can be integrated with diet apps to promote healthy eating.

For this New Special Issue “2nd Edition: Wearable Technology and Health” in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, we invite submissions that examine the impact of using wearable technology on physical activity or other aspects of health (physiological or psychosocial). We also welcome submissions that validate the use of wearable technology to measure variables related to physical activity or other health outcomes. High-quality narrative and systematic reviews will also be considered. All manuscripts will be peer-reviewed by experts in the field and are due by May 31, 2024.

Dr. Jennifer L. Scheid
Guest Editor

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Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

wearable technology
fitness watch
exercise
physical activity
sleep

Published Papers (6 papers)

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12 pages, 1346 KiB

Open AccessArticle

3D-Printing Physical Activity in Youth: An Autotopographical Approach to Behaviour Change

by Melitta A. McNarry, Rachel L. Knight, Sam G. M. Crossley, Paula Foscarini-Craggs, Zoe R. Knowles, Parisa Eslambolchilar and Kelly A. Mackintosh

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1530; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021530 - 14 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1403

Abstract

The conceptualisation and visualisation of physical activity through 3D-printed objects offers a unique means by which to elicit positive behaviour change. This study aimed to explore whether 3D-printed models of physical activity obtain autotopographical meaning in youths and the influence of such models on their sense of personal and social identity. Following participation in a seven-week faded intervention, whereby habitual physical activity was measured and used to create individual 3D models, the views of 61 participants (36 boys; 10.9 ± 3.0 years) were explored via semi-structured focus groups. Within the over-arching theme of ‘3D-Printed Models’, key emergent sub-themes were structured around ‘Autotopography’, ‘Reflection’, ‘In-group norms’, and ‘Significant others’. Investing meaning in the material representations facilitated social activation and self-reflection on their own behaviour, both of which are key elements of identity formation. The influential role of significant others (familial and peers) within initial model interpretation and their potential long-term efficacy as a behaviour change approach was highlighted. 3D-printed models present a novel concept and intervention approach and may represent a useful component within behaviour change engagement strategies in children and adolescents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition: Wearable Technology and Health)

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12 pages, 1402 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Replacing Sedentary Time with Physically Active Behaviour Predicts Improved Body Composition and Metabolic Health Outcomes

by Wendy J. O’Brien, Erica L. Rauff, Sarah P. Shultz, McLean Sloughter, Philip W. Fink, Bernhard Breier and Rozanne Kruger

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8760; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148760 - 19 Jul 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2194

Abstract

Background: Discretionary leisure time for health-promoting physical activity (PA) is limited. This study aimed to predict body composition and metabolic health marker changes from PA reallocation using isotemporal substitution analysis. Methods: Healthy New Zealand women (n = 175; 16–45 y) with high BMI (≥25 kg/m²) and high body fat percentage (≥30%) were divided into three groups by ethnicity (Māori n = 37, Pacific n = 54, and New Zealand European n = 84). PA, fat mass, lean mass, and metabolic health were assessed. Isotemporal substitution paradigms reallocated 30 min/day of sedentary behaviour to varying PA intensities. Results: Reallocating sedentary behaviour with moderate intensity, PA predicted Māori women would have improved body fat% (14.83%), android fat% (10.74%), and insulin levels (55.27%) while the model predicted Pacific women would have improved waist-to-hip (6.40%) and android-to-gynoid (19.48%) ratios. Replacing sedentary time with moderate-vigorous PA predicted Māori women to have improved BMI (15.33%), waist circumference (9.98%), body fat% (16.16%), android fat% (12.54%), gynoid fat% (10.04%), insulin (55.58%), and leptin (43.86%) levels; for Pacific women, improvement of waist-to-hip-ratio (5.30%) was predicted. Conclusions: Sedentary behaviour must be substituted with PA of at least moderate intensity to reap benefits. Māori women received the greatest benefits when reallocating PA. PA recommendations to improve health should reflect the needs and current activity levels of specific populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition: Wearable Technology and Health)

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20 pages, 395 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“Where There Is Light, There Is Also Darkness”: Discussing Young Adults’ Willingness to Disclose Data to Use Wearables and Health Applications—Results from a Focus Group Study

by Isabell Koinig and Sandra Diehl

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(3), 1556; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031556 - 29 Jan 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2050

Abstract

In recent years, the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) has gained momentum. This development has only been intensified by the current COVID-19 crisis, which promotes the development of applications that can help stop the virus from spreading by monitoring people’s movements and their social contacts. At the same time, it has become increasingly difficult for individuals to control the use of their private data by commercial companies. While Internet users claim to be highly interested in protecting their privacy, their behaviors indicate otherwise. This phenomenon is discussed in literature as the so-called privacy paradox. The existence of the privacy paradox has also been confirmed by previous studies, which found individuals’ claims and actions to contradict one another. The present study investigates the following research questions: (1) What significance do individuals attribute to protecting their privacy, with a special focus on the health sector? (2) To what extent are they willing to grant commercial parties access to their data in order to use applications in general and health applications in particular? Results from seven focus groups with 40 respondents aged 20–30 years were conducted in an urban setting in Austria in late 2019. The respondents’ inputs are meant to provide answers to these questions. The results indicate that, overall, the young generation is well-informed about the growing data collection and is quite critical of it. As such, their willingness to share information in the health context is only moderately pronounced. Thus, only a moderately pronounced privacy paradox can be detected for the health sector when compared to other sectors. In conclusion, implications and directions for further research are addressed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition: Wearable Technology and Health)

23 pages, 5914 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Use of Fitbit Consumer Activity Trackers to Support Active Lifestyles in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Mixed-Methods Study

by William Hodgson, Alison Kirk, Marilyn Lennon and Gregor Paxton

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(21), 11598; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111598 - 04 Nov 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2423

Abstract

Background: People with type 2 diabetes are less active than those without the condition. Physical activity promotion within diabetes health care is limited. This project explored the use of Fitbit activity trackers (Fitbit, San Francisco, CA, USA) to support active lifestyles in adults with type 2 diabetes through a mixed-methods study. Methods: Two stages were conducted. In stage 1, adults with type 2 diabetes used a Fitbit Charge 4 (Fitbit, San Francisco, CA, USA) for 4 weeks. Fitbit and self-reported physical activity data was examined through quantitative analysis. Qualitative analysis was conducted to explore the experiences of participants. In stage 2, health professionals were interviewed to examine their views on using Fitbit activity trackers within type 2 diabetes care. Results: Adults with type 2 diabetes were recruited for stage 1 and adult health care and fitness professionals were recruited for stage 2. Stage 1 participants’ self-reported increases in physical activity (mean weekly minutes of walking increased from 358.75 to 507.50 min, p = 0.046) and a decrease in sedentary behaviour (mean daily hours of sedentary behaviour decreased from 10.65 to 10.05 h, p = 0.575). Fitbit activity data ranges identified individuals who led inactive and sedentary lifestyles below levels recommended and in need of physical activity support to reduce the risk to their health. During interviews, participants stated that the Fitbit activity tracker motivated them to be more active. Stage 2 participants intimated that Fitbit activity trackers could improve the promotion of physical activity within type 2 diabetes care. Interventions involving the Fitbit premium service, community prescription and combined use of Fitbits with physical activity behaviour change models were recommended by stage 2 participants. Conclusions: This study found that there is future scope for using Fitbit activity trackers to support active lifestyles in adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition: Wearable Technology and Health)

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14 pages, 1772 KiB

Open AccessHypothesis

Wearable Technologies and Stress: Toward an Ethically Grounded Approach

by Stefano Canali, Beatrice De Marchi and Andrea Aliverti

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(18), 6737; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20186737 - 11 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1519

Abstract

The widespread use of digital technologies that can be worn on our bodies—wearables—is presented as a turning point for various areas of biomedical research and healthcare, such as stress. The ability to constantly measure these parameters, the perceived quality of measurement, and their individual and personal level frame wearable technology as a possibly crucial step in the direction of a more accurate and objective definition and measurement of stress for clinical, research, and personal purposes. In this paper, we discuss the hypothesis that the use of wearables for stress is also beneficial from an ethical viewpoint. We start by situating wearables in the context of existing methods and limitations of stress research. On this basis, we discuss the ethics of wearables for stress by applying ethical principles from bioethics (beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, justice), which allows us to identify ethical benefits as well as challenges in this context. As a result, we develop a more balanced view of the ethics of wearables for stress, which we use to present recommendations and indications with a focus on certification, accessibility, and inclusion. This article is, thus, a contribution towards ethically grounded wearable and digital health technology for stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition: Wearable Technology and Health)

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9 pages, 323 KiB

Open AccessCommentary

Commentary: Is Wearable Fitness Technology a Medically Approved Device? Yes and No

by Jennifer L. Scheid, Jennifer L. Reed and Sarah L. West

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(13), 6230; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20136230 - 27 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2247

Abstract

Wearable technologies, i.e., activity trackers and fitness watches, are extremely popular and have been increasingly integrated into medical research and clinical practice. To assist in optimizing health, wellness, or medical care, these devices require collaboration between researchers, healthcare providers, and wearable technology companies in order to clarify their clinical capabilities and educate consumers on the utilities and limitations of the wide-ranging wearable devices. Interestingly, activity trackers and fitness watches often track both health/wellness and medical information within the same device. In this commentary, we will focus our discussions regarding wearable technology on (1) defining and explaining the technical differences between tracking health, wellness, and medical information; (2) providing examples of health and wellness compared to medical tracking; (3) describing the potential medical benefits of wearable technology and its applications in clinical populations; and (4) elucidating the potential risks of wearable technology. We conclude that while wearable devices are powerful and informative tools, further research is needed to improve its clinical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition: Wearable Technology and Health)

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