Abstract
The proliferation of wearable devices, especially over the past decade, has been
remarkable. Wearable technology is used not only by competitive and recreational
athletes but is also becoming an integral part of healthcare and public health
settings. However, despite the technological advancements and improved
algorithms offering rich opportunities, wearables also face several obstacles.
This review aims to highlight these obstacles, including the prerequisites for
harnessing wearables to improve performance and health, the need for data
accuracy and reproducibility, user engagement and adherence, ethical
considerations in data harvesting, and potential future research directions.
Researchers, healthcare professionals, coaches, and users should be cognizant of
these challenges to unlock the full potential of wearables for public health
research, disease surveillance, outbreak prediction, and other important
applications. By addressing these challenges, the impact of wearable technology
can be significantly enhanced, leading to more precise and personalized health
interventions, improved athletic performance, and more robust public health
strategies. This paper underscores the transformative potential of wearables and
their role in advancing the future of exercise prescription, sports medicine and
health.
Keywords
accelerometer - photoplethysmography - sensors - artificial intelligence - sports medicine