Coaching in the technology age: The impact of wearables

From making waves in fashion to promoting a healthier lifestyle, wearable technology has undoubtedly revolutionized sports and exercise. Various gadgets such as smart watches, fitness trackers, and more have the ability to monitor distance traveled, heart rate, and other metrics. This feedback, which is given immediately, can help coaches optimize workouts and prevent serious injuries. 

Just like any other form of technology, however, wearables pose safety and privacy concerns. Alexander Baruah, a junior at Washington High School who is on the cross country team, says, “From what I know, wearables gather a lot of personal information, such as my heart rate, calories, and more. If that data is mishandled or given to the wrong people, my privacy is at risk.” As these devices gather and send out information, more risks for data breaches arise due to third parties exploiting vulnerabilities in a device’s software. In fact, in 2020, Garmin (a prominent wearable manufacturer) experienced severe data breaching, as its services were completely crippled. The type of ransomware used in this vicious attack was known as WastedLocker. These data leaks expose personal data which include a person’s location, activity patterns, health data, and more. Wearable technology is susceptible to these data leaks because of a lack of user awareness. It is often the case that wearables rely on wirelessly connecting, which ultimately gives people unauthorized access. To combat this issue, the companies that produce wearables should actually educate users about safety and must implement strong encryption protocols to ensure safety of one’s data. 

Despite the safety and privacy concerns about wearables, they come with many health benefits. Smart watches and fitness trackers are equipped with advanced sensors that enable immediate viewing of important metrics, encouraging athletes to boost their overall performance in sports. This approach reduces the risk of injuries and can even make recovery time quicker. Shaan Shinde, also a junior at Washington High School who is on the cross country team and track and field team, says, “Coaches and trainers could use the data, that is provided by wearables, to their advantage for athletes. For example, my experience being on the cross country and track and field team has taught me to run only when my body is not overloaded and so many other important things.” Wearables continuously monitor heart rate, sleep patterns, muscle fatigue, and stress. By tracking such important metrics, coaches and trainers have the ability to make adjustments in training sessions for their athletes. For example, if high levels of physical strain are indicated, then the athlete could take some rest, which would ultimately reduce risk of an athlete harming themselves. The more high end wearables can even analyze someone’s technique and movement patterns. If an athlete is indeed injured, then they could use wearables to track their recovery process and muscle activity. 

Aside from health and fitness, wearables have entered fashion. Nowadays, more and more designers collaborate with tech innovators to create aesthetically pleasing devices, such as the fitbit, apple watch, and many more. This blend of function and design allows many people to showcase their personality through stylish products. Not only do these products look good, but they are also environmentally friendly. The vast majority of wearables are made out of cotton, recycled plastics, recycled electronics, bamboo fibers, and more. As a result, wearables reduce one’s environmental footprint. 

Tracking availability of wearables in apps

In general, wearable technology has revolutionized sports. Many athletes use wearables to their advantage by getting insights into their heart rate, movement analysis, mental state, and more. Despite the privacy and safety concerns, they continue to play a pivotal role in promoting a healthier, fashionable lifestyle.