Do fitness trackers really help people move more? – Harvard Health

These devices are widespread with avid exercisers, however they could additionally encourage sedentary folks to grow to be extra energetic.

About one in 5 folks has a sensible watch or health tracker, in accordance with a current survey. These wrist-worn displays are a useful method to observe your every day steps, they usually’re most likely extra correct than the tally out of your smartphone, which you may not carry with you each waking second. Most wearable devices additionally supply an array of different knowledge, akin to your coronary heart fee, strolling tempo, and extra.

However does utilizing one have an effect on how energetic persons are? Based on the most important examine thus far on the subject, the reply is sure (see “Health trackers and exercise ranges: What’s the proof?”). Common bodily exercise is important for a wholesome coronary heart, and the enhancements seen on this examine might doubtlessly make a distinction, says Dr. Megan Wasfy, a heart specialist on the Cardiovascular Efficiency Laboratory at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts Basic Hospital.

As a service to our readers, Harvard Well being Publishing offers entry to our library of archived content material. Please word the date of final assessment or replace on all articles.

No content material on this web site, no matter date, ought to ever be used as an alternative choice to direct medical recommendation out of your physician or different certified clinician.