Fitness bracelets that track activity and measure various indicators such as heart rate have become an important part of many people’s lives.

A new study on sports bracelets

Scientists from the University of Liège have analysed the impact of fitness wristbands and apps on users’ lives and found both positive and negative effects on health. The results were published in the Journal of Consumer Affairs.

The authors of the article conducted 30 interviews with people who use bracelets and programs to track activity and assess health. Participants reported using these tools for various purposes: weight loss, increased performance, maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

The goals and levels of participation of the research participants vary. In some, interest first increased and then stabilized, in others, interest waned after the initial period, and in some, enthusiasm increased to such an extent that they spent a lot of time analyzing the indicators.

Sports bracelets can be harmful

When the use of health trackers became mandatory, it made people feel worse. This effect was also associated with the stress experienced by users when they took the trackers’ readings too seriously, forgetting about possible mistakes and trying to achieve one or another goal related to health and physical activity in the shortest possible time.

“Given that medical technology has become an integral part of our lives, it is important to understand the factors that lead to excessive intervention and deterioration of well-being so that developers can minimize these risks,” the scientists wrote.