The Power of Wearables

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 08:59:40 -0500

“Hey, you should test out this wearable ring,” a co-worker said to me shortly after New Year’s earlier this year—I’m sure timing was coincidental...

I accepted for a few reasons: 1. I was curious how wearable technology had advanced since I wore a Jawbone fitness tracker eight years prior; 2. I am a believer in providing necessary resources to high performers and I was intrigued that wearables could be a positive tool to do that; 3. And finally, a peer and I were interested in writing an article and learning more about wearable technology implications for Service members.

There are many different types of wearables—fitness trackers, health monitors, hearing devices, smart jewelry, and augmented reality headsets to name a few. All of them are designed to store and transmit data back to the user, company, or other institution. This feedback, in the form of beeps, visual charts, numbers, etc. is meant to improve the user’s health, fitness, hearing, life enjoyment, productivity or in aggregate, improve outcomes of a whole community.

For three months I wore the ring everyday without mechanical, blue tooth, or other issues. My engagement with the ring evolved over the course of my test period. I became more comfortable wearing it, developed a charging battle rhythm that maximized wearable on-finger time, and learned how to use the app to my advantage.

Looking back on my “trial run” with the ring, I offer the following observations:

1. I learned that my diet, both food and drink, affected the quality of my sleep, which in turn, directly affected my abilities the following day. Based on my general educational health awareness, I was familiar with how certain foods and drink can affect sleep and health, but to receive real-time feedback from your body was powerful and positively influenced my diet during those three months.

2. My family would routinely ask me about my sleep the night prior, fitness statistics, and heart rate frequently during the trial run. Anecdotally, this reflected the power of integrating technology with community, and how positive accountability looks like. When coupled with accountability partners, wearable technology can have a positive effect.

3. The fitness center and running trails called my name more often during this period. I am a visual person, so my need to visually see fitness progress as displayed on the app made a meaningful impact on how often I would “get to the gym.”

Shortly after the trial run, my family and I visited my parents. On one day, my mom turned to me and said, “You look really strong and fit.” Maybe it was the angle she looked at me, or the beautiful day, or some other phenomenon that inspired her to say those words, but in any case, I chalked them up to my wearable ring test run.

I recommend doing your own wearable test run. Before purchasing another gadget though, I would use the fitness and health tools already available on your smart phone. Depending on your needs and interests, I would then research the wearable options that go beyond smart phones and experience wearable technology for yourself. I am confident that one day, Service members will be issued wearable technology that will improve individual and unit holistic health outcomes.

I am interested to hear stories on how wearable technology has impacted you. Please leave your own experience with wearable technology in the comments.

Finally, now that it has been about six months, I should probably do another “test run” and hope to hear the words, “You look really strong and fit.”

Thanks mom.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Nov 29 at 2022 9:03 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 09:03:59 -0500

I received a fitbit and I definitely found my steps up and my willingness to brave the weather and go out for PT increased since I got it.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2022 10:04 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 10:04:32 -0500

Interesting story of the power of wearables... Col Private RallyPoint Member!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2022 1:04 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 13:04:19 -0500

No thanks on wearables
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/28/fitness-tracking-app-gives-away-location-of-secret-us-army-bases

Fitness tracking app Strava gives away location of secret US army bases

Data about exercise routes shared online by soldiers can be used to pinpoint overseas facilities

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Nov 29 at 2022 1:16 PM

SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 13:16:13 -0500

Non of these for me!

Response by Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin made Nov 29 at 2022 2:09 PM

Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 14:09:39 -0500

I have an Apple watch now and in the past many years I've used Garmin and Fitbit. They definitely motivate me to consistently exercise daily, and I like Apple's approach better than the step goals offered by Garmin and Fitbit. Apple instead uses three rings (Move, Exercise, and Stand) for goals, which I have set and have achieved every day since I got the watch (with the exception of 2 days due to a surgery). I like that it reminds me I still have to get my calories, exercise minutes, and stand time per hour within a 10 hr period. The Apple watch also work better with my iPhone, has better apps, and it is more intuitive.

As for security of these devices, this is up to you. What apps do you use? What features do they provide? Do you have a problem with an app or several apps tracking you when you exercise (or in general)? Do your homework and don't just assume all your info is compromised or protected. Everything is a risk assessment and I tend to laugh at those people who think they are security conscious and are in fact no more protected than many others. On multiple occasions I have posted about TikTok for example. This is not only an app built with several significant malware "features", but it is also a Chinese propaganda and collection tool. Using this app not only hands your information to the CCP, but it also gives them the ability to send you customized government driven content.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Dec 2 at 2022 10:03 AM

SP5 Dennis Loberger — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 10:03:03 -0500

I have been wearing various versions of FitBit for many years now. I currently wear a Versa 3. The feedback I receive is satisfying when I beat my goals and motivating when it appears I am falling short. I have found myself walking during commercials and halftime when I am running short on steps

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2022 1:28 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 13:28:32 -0500

Thanks for the share.

Response by PO1 Blanca Macias made Dec 14 at 2022 9:36 PM

PO1 Blanca Macias — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 21:36:11 -0500

Ever since I got my fit bit watch I have been moving and walking more often. I love it. When I buzzes to remind me to move I get up and do some walking. I even earned a marathon badge for my walking. I am feeling stronger and healthier. Before I got my fitbit I laid around and watched TV all day and I wasn't motivated to do anything. My fitbit gives me motivation because I can see my results and that only encourages me to do more. I am very happy with my fitbit.

Response by SGT Robert Puster made Feb 21 at 2023 12:39 PM

SGT Robert Puster — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 12:39:04 -0500

I have found wearables to be a great addition to not only tracking but also logging movement/fitness. The goals are a great idea, and it adds a little bit of accountability when you connect them with other people. I find the sleep and heart-rate data very useful as well. I started many years ago with some sort of fitbit device in my pocket (like a stone) that was mediocre at best and really nothing more than a pedometer. I went through a couple of different "Charge" devices but am now using the Fitbit Sense. I never thought I'd want text messages on my watch, but it allows me a glance at a message without pulling out my phone during a conversation (I have three children in three different branches of the military all 22 years old and younger, plus one still at home....so I do glance at texts when they come in in case of something important).

My 16 year old wears a Verse 2 and it is his goal to always "out step" me every day, which has pushed both of us upwards of 25K steps on a highly competitive day! So not only is the information great to have and log, it has also become one of the dynamics (and things to bond over) with me and my youngest son. I'm not sure if he is the motivation for my steps per day or the wearable, but they both do keep me on track for my goal of 2000 miles on foot this year!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2023 5:56 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 17:56:51 -0400

Still #1

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