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“Hey, you should test out this wearable ring,” a co-worker said to me shortly after New Year’s earlier this year—I’m sure timing was coincidental...
I accepted for a few reasons: 1. I was curious how wearable technology had advanced since I wore a Jawbone fitness tracker eight years prior; 2. I am a believer in providing necessary resources to high performers and I was intrigued that wearables could be a positive tool to do that; 3. And finally, a peer and I were interested in writing an article and learning more about wearable technology implications for Service members.
There are many different types of wearables—fitness trackers, health monitors, hearing devices, smart jewelry, and augmented reality headsets to name a few. All of them are designed to store and transmit data back to the user, company, or other institution. This feedback, in the form of beeps, visual charts, numbers, etc. is meant to improve the user’s health, fitness, hearing, life enjoyment, productivity or in aggregate, improve outcomes of a whole community.
For three months I wore the ring everyday without mechanical, blue tooth, or other issues. My engagement with the ring evolved over the course of my test period. I became more comfortable wearing it, developed a charging battle rhythm that maximized wearable on-finger time, and learned how to use the app to my advantage.
Looking back on my “trial run” with the ring, I offer the following observations:
1. I learned that my diet, both food and drink, affected the quality of my sleep, which in turn, directly affected my abilities the following day. Based on my general educational health awareness, I was familiar with how certain foods and drink can affect sleep and health, but to receive real-time feedback from your body was powerful and positively influenced my diet during those three months.
2. My family would routinely ask me about my sleep the night prior, fitness statistics, and heart rate frequently during the trial run. Anecdotally, this reflected the power of integrating technology with community, and how positive accountability looks like. When coupled with accountability partners, wearable technology can have a positive effect.
3. The fitness center and running trails called my name more often during this period. I am a visual person, so my need to visually see fitness progress as displayed on the app made a meaningful impact on how often I would “get to the gym.”
Shortly after the trial run, my family and I visited my parents. On one day, my mom turned to me and said, “You look really strong and fit.” Maybe it was the angle she looked at me, or the beautiful day, or some other phenomenon that inspired her to say those words, but in any case, I chalked them up to my wearable ring test run.
I recommend doing your own wearable test run. Before purchasing another gadget though, I would use the fitness and health tools already available on your smart phone. Depending on your needs and interests, I would then research the wearable options that go beyond smart phones and experience wearable technology for yourself. I am confident that one day, Service members will be issued wearable technology that will improve individual and unit holistic health outcomes.
I am interested to hear stories on how wearable technology has impacted you. Please leave your own experience with wearable technology in the comments.
Finally, now that it has been about six months, I should probably do another “test run” and hope to hear the words, “You look really strong and fit.”
Thanks mom.
I accepted for a few reasons: 1. I was curious how wearable technology had advanced since I wore a Jawbone fitness tracker eight years prior; 2. I am a believer in providing necessary resources to high performers and I was intrigued that wearables could be a positive tool to do that; 3. And finally, a peer and I were interested in writing an article and learning more about wearable technology implications for Service members.
There are many different types of wearables—fitness trackers, health monitors, hearing devices, smart jewelry, and augmented reality headsets to name a few. All of them are designed to store and transmit data back to the user, company, or other institution. This feedback, in the form of beeps, visual charts, numbers, etc. is meant to improve the user’s health, fitness, hearing, life enjoyment, productivity or in aggregate, improve outcomes of a whole community.
For three months I wore the ring everyday without mechanical, blue tooth, or other issues. My engagement with the ring evolved over the course of my test period. I became more comfortable wearing it, developed a charging battle rhythm that maximized wearable on-finger time, and learned how to use the app to my advantage.
Looking back on my “trial run” with the ring, I offer the following observations:
1. I learned that my diet, both food and drink, affected the quality of my sleep, which in turn, directly affected my abilities the following day. Based on my general educational health awareness, I was familiar with how certain foods and drink can affect sleep and health, but to receive real-time feedback from your body was powerful and positively influenced my diet during those three months.
2. My family would routinely ask me about my sleep the night prior, fitness statistics, and heart rate frequently during the trial run. Anecdotally, this reflected the power of integrating technology with community, and how positive accountability looks like. When coupled with accountability partners, wearable technology can have a positive effect.
3. The fitness center and running trails called my name more often during this period. I am a visual person, so my need to visually see fitness progress as displayed on the app made a meaningful impact on how often I would “get to the gym.”
Shortly after the trial run, my family and I visited my parents. On one day, my mom turned to me and said, “You look really strong and fit.” Maybe it was the angle she looked at me, or the beautiful day, or some other phenomenon that inspired her to say those words, but in any case, I chalked them up to my wearable ring test run.
I recommend doing your own wearable test run. Before purchasing another gadget though, I would use the fitness and health tools already available on your smart phone. Depending on your needs and interests, I would then research the wearable options that go beyond smart phones and experience wearable technology for yourself. I am confident that one day, Service members will be issued wearable technology that will improve individual and unit holistic health outcomes.
I am interested to hear stories on how wearable technology has impacted you. Please leave your own experience with wearable technology in the comments.
Finally, now that it has been about six months, I should probably do another “test run” and hope to hear the words, “You look really strong and fit.”
Thanks mom.
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 9
I received a fitbit and I definitely found my steps up and my willingness to brave the weather and go out for PT increased since I got it.
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Cadet PFC (Join to see)
The benefits of wearable technology include improved health and fitness. https://www.monkey.vin/ For example, wearing wearable technology can help you monitor your heart rate and track your steps. It can also help you connect with others online and in person, allowing for more personalised care.
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I have an Apple watch now and in the past many years I've used Garmin and Fitbit. They definitely motivate me to consistently exercise daily, and I like Apple's approach better than the step goals offered by Garmin and Fitbit. Apple instead uses three rings (Move, Exercise, and Stand) for goals, which I have set and have achieved every day since I got the watch (with the exception of 2 days due to a surgery). I like that it reminds me I still have to get my calories, exercise minutes, and stand time per hour within a 10 hr period. The Apple watch also work better with my iPhone, has better apps, and it is more intuitive.
As for security of these devices, this is up to you. What apps do you use? What features do they provide? Do you have a problem with an app or several apps tracking you when you exercise (or in general)? Do your homework and don't just assume all your info is compromised or protected. Everything is a risk assessment and I tend to laugh at those people who think they are security conscious and are in fact no more protected than many others. On multiple occasions I have posted about TikTok for example. This is not only an app built with several significant malware "features", but it is also a Chinese propaganda and collection tool. Using this app not only hands your information to the CCP, but it also gives them the ability to send you customized government driven content.
As for security of these devices, this is up to you. What apps do you use? What features do they provide? Do you have a problem with an app or several apps tracking you when you exercise (or in general)? Do your homework and don't just assume all your info is compromised or protected. Everything is a risk assessment and I tend to laugh at those people who think they are security conscious and are in fact no more protected than many others. On multiple occasions I have posted about TikTok for example. This is not only an app built with several significant malware "features", but it is also a Chinese propaganda and collection tool. Using this app not only hands your information to the CCP, but it also gives them the ability to send you customized government driven content.
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Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin
Apple watches have come a long way in the last six years and you might want to look into the latest ultra, which was designed to take a beating and high intensity athletic activities to include serving as a SCUBA calculator. I've had my Series 7 and it has endured a lot thus far. I had a Garmin VivoActive HR, which at the time was the best watch one could wear in a SCIF. While it had a great battery and good features, the screen was hard to read (horrible brightness and resolution), and it did not work as well with my iPhone as an Apple Watch would (naturally). Since I no longer work in a SCIF, integration is more important to me and as I mentioned in the first post, the Apple watch has a better daily exercise methodology. Plus, the watch with cellular connectivity, serves as another option for a phone. Notifications work better, and I am able to read the screen better. Don't get me wrong, I liked my Garmin and I think Garmin covers more sport activity tracking than Apple can (although I have not personally tried the Ultra yet), but I the integration with my productivity apps is important to me. Especially when I am no longer constricted with what I can have working in a SCIF.
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Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin
Just wanted to add…. I recently went for a ride on my mountain bike and coming down a rocky slope, as I took a hard left, my chain skipped as I was pushing down hard on the pedal. As a result, my handle bars got out of control hard to the left and I went over. While that part is a little embarrassing, I fell into a nice roll and sprung to my feet, looking like a ninja. I was pretty proud of myself coming away with a small scrape on my elbow.
Anyway, on my Apple Watch, I have it set to detect a fall when I am exercising. If I don’t respond in a certain amount of time, it will notify emergency services and those people I designate (wife). It worked! I disabled the notification as I was fine, but it was very reassuring that my location would be relayed to my wife and emergency services had I been seriously hurt. Not sure what wearables have this feature, but I highly recommend making sure they do if you love risky outdoor activity. But the way, it also works for the elderly when it detects a fall in general. This is a great feature!
Anyway, on my Apple Watch, I have it set to detect a fall when I am exercising. If I don’t respond in a certain amount of time, it will notify emergency services and those people I designate (wife). It worked! I disabled the notification as I was fine, but it was very reassuring that my location would be relayed to my wife and emergency services had I been seriously hurt. Not sure what wearables have this feature, but I highly recommend making sure they do if you love risky outdoor activity. But the way, it also works for the elderly when it detects a fall in general. This is a great feature!
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