2024: API released to connect Fitbit fitness bracelets to medical equipment to continuously monitor heart function
In early July 2024, the company Google announced the release of a specialized software interface (API), which provides medical workers with direct access to data on vital signs of the body of owners of fitness bracelets. Fitbit A tool called the Fitbit Web API is expected to more effectively warn against health-threatening conditions. More. here
2023
95% of smartwatches and fitness bracelets are breeding grounds for bacteria
Wearable straps such as smartwatches and fitness bracelets are the perfect breeding ground for dangerous bacteria. This is stated in a study by Florida Atlantic University, the results of which were released on August 16, 2023.
Experts studied straps with different textures and from different materials to determine the risk of containing potentially harmful pathogens on them. In particular, products made of plastic, rubber, fabric, leather and metal (gold and silver) were tested. Experts have found out whether there is a correlation between the material of the bracelet and the prevalence of bacteria.
Using standard microbiological analyses, the researchers estimated the number of bacteria, their type and distribution on the straps' surface. It turned out that almost all bracelets (approximately 95%) are contaminated to one degree or another. However, rubber and plastic products contain more bacteria, while there are practically no microorganisms on the surface of metal straps, especially gold and silver.
Researchers found bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus (staphylococcus) on 85% of bracelets, and bacteria Pseudomonas (pseudomonas bacillus) on 30%. Gym visitors have the highest number of staphylococci, highlighting the need to disinfect wearable devices after training. E. coli intestinal bacteria are detected on 60% of gadgets.
 | The number and taxonomy of the bacteria we found on the bracelets shows that there is a need for regular disinfection of the straps. Even at relatively small amounts, these pathogens have public health implications, "noted Dr. Nwadiuto Esiobu, one of the authors of the study.[1] |  |
It's dangerous for people with pacemakers to wear fitness trackers and smartwatches
On February 21, 2023, it became known that technologies for determining bioimpedance in smartwatches could threaten health when used with implantable medical devices, including pacemakers. Read more here.
2022: Russia has developed a program to collect medical information through fitness trackers
The Skolkovo Foundation and the Rostec state corporation have developed a program for an experimental legal regime (EPR) in the field of medicine, involving the use of wearable electronic devices for remote monitoring of patient health. The program was sent for consideration by Deputy Minister of Economic Development Maxim Kolesnikov. This became known on August 13, 2022.
| | The Ministry of Economic Development conceptually supports the establishment of EPR. As of August 2022, the Ministry of Economic Development sent the received materials to the initiator for revision, since there are a number of significant comments to them. | |
As noted, the prepared EPR program does not contain a number of important information. In particular, it lacks a list of medical institutions that could take part in this experimental legal regime. The document says that "both medical research institutes and centers and ordinary medical organizations" will be able to connect to the EPR[2].
2021: Fitbit Luxe luxury fitness tracker announced
In mid-April 2021 Fitbit , she presented her luxury fitness tracker. Luxe The novelty will arrive in stores on April 19 at a price of $149.95, which includes six months of Fitbit Premium services. More. here
2020
In Belgium, insurance companies banned from using data from fitness applications for the sale of policies
In mid-October 2020, in Belgium, insurance companies were banned from using data from fitness applications for selling policies. Under a new law approved by parliament, insurance companies can no longer use personal data collected from apps such as Fitbit or Runkeeper. They are also prohibited from adjusting insurance premiums or the amount of insurance, citing this data.
Electronics manufacturers massively sell fitness trackers and smartwatches that track physical activity, record calories burned, control body weight, the risk of high blood pressure or diabetes mellitus, and assess sleep quality. All recorded data ends up in a health app on a smartphone. Although this information opens up new perspectives in the field of medicine, insurance companies can use it for unfair purposes.
A law banning the use of this personal data has been proposed by the socialist PS party, which does not wish insurance companies to discriminate against people for health reasons. In Belgium, car insurers already use a similar system to calculate premiums depending on driving style. A device is installed in the vehicle that fixes certain parameters, such as braking, acceleration or maintained speed. This data is then used to determine the safety factor. The PS party is concerned about the current situation and wants to prevent the creation of a similar health care system.
| | Health insurance should be based on a model that involves a partial or full mutual guarantee without discrimination based on health status, "said MP Christophe Lacroix[3] | |
Samsung Galaxy Fit second-generation fitness bracelets announced
In early September 2020, Samsung unveiled the second generation Galaxy Fit fitness tracker. The novelty received a photopletismography sensor that allows you to assess the condition of the heart and blood vessels. Read more here.
Amazon Halo Band fitness bracelets announcement
On August 27, 2020, Amazon unveiled its first fitness bracelet and announced the launch of a companion mobile app. Read more here.
Xiaomi Mi Band 5 announcement
On June 11, 2020, Xiaomi unveiled the Mi Band 5 fitness bracelet. Externally, the novelty is not much different from the previous model, and the main innovations occurred with the insides of the device and software. Read more here.
Fitbit unveils first fitness tracker with built-in GPS
At the end of March 2020, Fitbit introduced the Charge 4, its first fitness tracker with a built-in GPS module. The novelty is equipped with a touchscreen display, an inductive button for control (unlike the traditional button, it plunges into the side of the tracker and vibrates when triggered), as well as a smooth waterproof case. Read more here.
2019
Honor Band 5 announcement with hypoxia diagnostics
On July 23, 2019, the Honor Band 5 fitness bracelet was presented, a distinctive feature of which was a sensor for measuring blood oxygen levels. Read more here.
All fitness trackers and smartwatches inaccurately measure the distance traveled
In early May 2019, researchers from the consumer protection company Which? published data according to which fitness trackers and smartwatches on the market inaccurately measure the distance traveled.
The researchers tested 118 trackers using a treadmill. Each subject completed the same marathon distance - 26.2 miles (42 km). The least reliable tracker was the Garmin Vivosmart 4, which underestimated the distance by 17.4 km - the researcher actually ran 59.5 km instead of 42 km. The manufacturer noted that the reason is the lack of GPS in this device. According to him, Vivosmart 4 is a "universal intelligent fitness tracker," and marathon runners better use a tracker from the Forerunner line with GPS support.
Of the eight Apple models in the study, the most accurate was the Apple Watch 1 series, which overestimated the distance by only 1%. The devices of the 3rd series overestimated the distance traveled by 13%, saying that the runner covered the marathon distance after the 36.7 km mark.
Other trackers gave the following information: Samsung Gear S2 - 58.2 km, Xiaomi Amazfit Bip - 54.7 km, Huawei Watch 2 Sport - 30.4 km. A Huawei spokesman said the runner's "individual performance" may have affected the test results. According to the manufacturer, the Huawei Watch 2 Sport algorithm calculates the user's step length according to the acceleration sensor when working at different speeds, which caused a failure when using the treadmill. Another expert agreed that the treadmill test turned out to be far from the best research method, because all devices had to rely only on algorithms for counting steps without taking into account GPS.
In general, experts suggest that users focus not on the distance traveled, but on the heart rate as an indicator of the health of the cardiovascular system.[4]
Popular fitness trackers secretly send Facebook user data
At the end of February 2019, it became known that popular fitness trackers secretly send data to users of the social network Facebook. The same applies to well-known apps from the Health section and other categories in the App Store and Google Play.
Observers at The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) tested 15 models of fitness trackers and found that six of them transmit confidential information belonging to gadget owners to Facebook, including information about heart rhythm or menstrual cycle, as soon as they are entered into the mobile application. Data synchronization is possible even in cases where the account in the application was not linked to Facebook.
Journalists checked about 70 popular applications, whose audience is estimated at tens of millions of people. The investigation affected programs from various sections, including those providing financial or real estate services. At least 11 of them passed information about Facebook users as soon as they entered the application or added new data about themselves.
According to the newspaper, after the release of the revealing material, five out of 11 applications completely stopped transferring information to Facebook or significantly reduced the amount of data sent. In particular, we are talking about applications that have been downloaded over 10 million times over the past 12 months by the end of February 2019.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday directed two state agencies to investigate a WSJ report that Facebook has access to far more personal information than smartphone users previously knew, including health data and other sensitive information. The governor called the practice an "outrageous breach of privacy."[5]
Fitness trackers deliberately misrepresent calorie expenditure
At the end of January 2019, researchers at the University of Aberystwyth published data according to which popular fitness trackers distort information on calorie consumption, overestimating the amount of energy burned when walking by more than 50%.
The head of the study, Dr. Rhys Thatcher, noted that all the devices they studied of popular brands had this general trend. In response to the published results, Fitbit said that the effectiveness of the company's devices was confirmed by data from large studies, and other manufacturers said only that their devices were not medical.
Researchers at Aberystwyth University enlisted several volunteers: they measured the amount of oxygen they used for ten minutes of walking and running on a treadmill, and then compared it with the performance of various fitness trackers.
The Fitbit Charge 2, which by early 2019 is the best-selling fitness tracker on the market, was pretty accurate when assessing calories burned while running - its values were only 4% different from the controls. But when measuring walking, he overestimated energy consumption by more than 50%. Cheaper gadgets - Letscom HR and Letsfit - underestimated the number of calories burned when running by 33% and 40%, respectively. However, at the same time, both much more accurately estimated the energy consumption when walking. Letscom overestimated the figures by 15.7%, while Letsfit values were only 2% above the controls.
| | "It doesn't matter which device you use to estimate the number of calories burned during exercise - the main thing is to interpret the findings with caution." He added that these deviations alone don't matter if the metrics are used as a motivational tool or to track progress, Dr Thatcher explained. | |
One way or another, Fitbit declares that it is confident in the adequacy of the readings of its device. Letscom and Letsfit explained that the operation of their devices depends on some unaccounted variables, for example, heights, but they are not devices for scientific work and should not provide exact values.[6]
See also
- Medical Wearable Electronics (Global Market)
- Smart Patches (Global Market)
- Smart clothing
- Wearable Electronics (Global Market)
Notes
- ↑ FAU Study Reveals Common Wristbands ‘Hotbed’ for Harmful Bacteria
- ↑ Russia has developed a program for collecting medical information through fitness trackers
- ↑ Belgian law blocks use of fitness apps by insurers
- ↑ Fitness trackers 'add miles to your marathon'
- ↑ You Give Apps Sensitive Personal Information. Then They Tell Facebook
- ↑ Fitness trackers 'overestimate' calorie burning
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