Wearable tech is transforming the way we care for ourselves

Software engineer Nikhil Krishna from Bengaluru had been struggling with weight loss for years. He saw progress only when he took matters in his own hands…his wrists, rather! He invested in an Apple Watch. “As I see the steps accumulating on the Watch’s display, I feel a sense of achievement. I want to push a little further each day.”

This is the power of real-time tracking – it transforms mundane routines into engaging personal challenges. There’s an intriguing triad emerging – one that merges technology, motivation, and well-being. It’s a phenomenon that’s redefining how we approach physical activity. It all starts with gadgets that offer real-time tracking and data visualisation.

Early contraptions

In 2023, when data reigns supreme and the quest for self-improvement has no bounds, the ‘Quantified Self’ movement has emerged as a phenomenon that’s reshaping our relationship with ourselves. It’s a movement that traces its origins to the early 20th century, when self-tracking and data analysis became the bedrock of wellness. Long before sleek fitness wearables and advanced health apps, there were pedometers and heart-rate monitors.

Initially developed as a means to measure physical activity, pedometers evolved into pocket-sized companions that empowered individuals to quantify their daily movement. The message was clear: awareness of your activity level is the first step towards improvement. Heart-rate monitors followed suit, providing insights into the body’s vital signs. They allowed users to peek into the intricacies of their cardiovascular health, fostering an era of self-awareness that transcended mere fitness.

The digital age of fitness

The Quantified Self movement gained momentum with the coming of the digital age in the new millennium. Fitness wearables from brands like Fitbit, Garmin, and Apple became the torchbearers of this data-driven revolution. They brought self-tracking to the masses.

“Fitness trackers provide real-time data on physical activity, heart-rate, and sleep patterns, thus enabling patients to monitor their health and make informed decisions about their well-being,” says Dr Anil Thakwani from Sharda Hospital’s Department of Oncology.

Nutrition-centred apps like Eat.fit, MyFitnessPal and Healthify Me have put nutrition front and centre, encouraging users to scrutinise their dietary choices. They have taken the traditionally complex world of Indian cuisine and made it more accessible by providing calorie counts and nutritional information for popular dishes.

“I discovered that setting health goals isn’t just for athletes and influencers. I achieved my fat loss goals after subscribing to a health app. The app’s gentle nudges have made me choose salads over samosas and protein instead of French fries,” says homemaker Ruchi Bansal from Mumbai. Certain fitness watches have built-in dietary analysis features that scrutinise your calorie intake, macronutrient balance, and meal timings.

Furthermore, apps like NTC (Nike Training Club) and C25k (Couch to 5k) are turning physical activity into a communal, gamified adventure. For example, the Strava app transformed solitary jogs, hikes and cycling sprees into vibrant, interconnected communities, where people celebrate one another’s accomplishments with the enthusiasm of a cricket match.

You track your progress and share your achievements with fellow participants. Suddenly, running, cycling or hiking become shared journeys of encouragement and friendly competition. On the free NTC smartphone app, users can partake in fitness challenges, earn badges, and compete with friends.

Healthcare beyond fitness

As the Quantified Self movement matures, its implications extend far beyond personal wellness. It’s reshaping the very fabric of healthcare, as patients and healthcare providers alike harness the power of data to diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses.

Consider the Garmin Venu, a smartwatch that goes beyond telling time. It recognises when your heart rate spikes unexpectedly, signaling a potential stress event. It prompts you to take a moment to breathe, to practice mindfulness, and to regain your equilibrium.

“Fitness trackers are definitely beneficial to keep a tab on heart health, especially of patients with heart problems, as they not only give details on the heart rate but also monitor the rhythm and blood pressure. They give off an alarm when parameters are impaired, helping to identify illness early,” says Dr Prashant Pawar, Consultant-Interventional Cardiologist, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital in Navi Mumbai.

“They also have the facility of ECG tracing so Arrythmias (i.e abnormal heart rhythm) can be identified early on. They are best for doctors to closely monitor their patients or for people who are based in remote locations, who have minimal access to advanced healthcare in their vicinity,” he adds.

Lord’s Mark Microbiotech has introduced a saliva-based technology for preventive genome testing through MyDNA boasting a 99.6 per cent accuracy that can identify the genetic predisposition of an individual while helping him prevent diseases by modifying lifestyle changes and by taking precautions. The MyDNA app not only addresses the unanswered questions regarding health, fitness and genetic disorders but also predicts the future and the risk of developing widespread genetic and lifestyle diseases.

“Genetic testing can be a powerful diagnostic and predictive tool that can help people understand more about the biological basis of a health condition they may already have or may be at an increased risk to develop in the future,” says Subodh Gupta, CEO, Lord’s Mark Microbiotech.

Balancing health and privacy

Machine learning algorithms are sifting through the deluge of data collected by our fitness gadgets. They’re analysing our activity patterns, sleep quality, and dietary choices. And what do they do with this treasure trove of information? They offer personalised recommendations that are nothing short of wizardry.

Yet, beneath the veneer of progress lie questions about the handling, misuse, and implications of sensitive health information collected by wearable tech. With every step you take, these apps and devices collect intimate insights into your body’s rhythms and routines through their sensors. Your heart rate, sleep patterns, and exercise routines are now stored in servers beyond your control. As we surrender our most intimate biological data to technology companies, we must contemplate the consequences.

While these gadgets aim to empower individuals, the same data can be harnessed by external entities – insurance companies, employers, or even governments – to make decisions that affect our lives. Imagine an insurance company leveraging your fitness tracker data to set premiums or determine coverage. If your heart rate trends suggest potential health risks, you might find yourself facing higher insurance costs.

Another concern is the potential for users to develop a false sense of health accomplishment solely based on data metrics. Fitness gadgets provide a smorgasbord of numerical insights, from step counts to sleep scores. While these metrics can be valuable tools for self-improvement, they can also lead to a tunnel vision that disregards the broader aspects of well-being. The paradox is that in our pursuit of wellness through data, we risk neglecting the nuances of our well-being – the emotional, social, and psychological dimensions that defy easy quantification.

The paradox of health data in the era of wearable tech is a conundrum we must navigate with care and mindfulness. While these devices offer valuable insights into our physical well-being, they also demand vigilant oversight and scrutiny. In the age of data, let wisdom guide your path to good health.

Kasmin Fernandes is a Mumbai-based music journalist and pop culture blogger