Are Fitness Trackers Making the Wearers More Fit?
According to research in The Lancet (2016) and the Journal of the American Medical Association (2016) they appear to be ineffective. Overall health and fitness outcomes were no better after 12 months and weight loss was less in those subjects that wore wearable fitness devices compared to those who did not use a fitness tracker over 24 months. Even more recently, a study led by Stanford University (2017) noted that the calorie measurements contained errors and made the recommendation to focus on making weekly goals for exercising instead of counting each individual calorie on a daily basis.
Despite their flaws, research has shown that they are okay at calculating the heart rate. Our health is always changing and so is the technology. Possibly in the near future, research will show that new devices are more effective and create the results that people expect when purchasing them.
Sources:
http://www.thelancet.com/…/PIIS2213-8587(16)30284-4/abstract