TECHNOLOGY
We often see technology as a burden when it comes to our social life and physical health. Technology is not always a bad thing. Through technology, we are able to find ways to best suit everyones interest. Engineers have found ways to make workout equipment for people who do not want to put too much work or thought into working out. Through technology we have seen advances pelotons, mirrors to motivate and track your workouts, treadmills, weight lifting machines, and many other mechanisms. Researchers have now found a new way to virtually workout through virtual reality. Virtual reality puts you in a scenario with different task to complete. Through virtual reality, it will present you with many different exercises that you have to complete. You can connect the virtual reality system to a television, so that it can show others what you are doing. This is a cool invention. Those who like to play video games can feel like they are playing a game, while they are actually working out. Researchers performed an experiment and within 2 years patients that did virtual reality workouts improved physical function (Segura‐Ortí et al., 2019).
SMART DEVICES
Trackers have become a staple in everyday life, including fitness and health. These devices are more than an accessory, they can be used in improve, track, and promote physical activity. Devices such as the Apple Watch, Fitbit, Samsung Galaxy watch are some examples.
Commonly measured data include vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and physical activity (Wu et al., 2019). Prolonged sedentary behavior has become more common than ever with people working from home to to the pandemic. A study utilizing vibration reminders were sent to the watch after 20 minutes of sitting. The results showed that this was an effective way of changing behavior (Wu Et al., 2019).
Researchers asked participants which helpful features they used the most, and they were motivational cues, general health information, and display challenges (Lewis et al., 2020).
THE APPLE WATCH
What can it do for me?
TRACK WORKOUTS
The watch can detect when you are doing an activity. You are able to pick what you are doing and track it approximately whether it be going for an outdoor run or playing basketball.
MONITOR HEARTRATE
Unusually low and high heart-rate could be signs of danger. Notifications alert you so you can take action if necessary.
WATER RESISTANT
Like to exercise in the water? The Apple watch is resistant up to 50 meters. Now you don't have worry about getting the watch wet and can enjoy swimming.