STACK #216 October 2022

LIFE TECH FEATURE

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ON TRACK

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MEASURING UP Wearable trackers can give you peace of mind when it comes to basic health monitoring, but how do these clever little devices actually measure your vitals?

Stress levels Heart Rate Variability (HVR) – the time between each beat – is used to calculate stress. Increased HVR indicates a low level, while lower means stress and fatigue is elevated. Some premium trackers use a dedicated electrodermal activity sensor to measure variations in sweat levels.

Sleep patterns Accelerometers in the device detect motion and measure the amount of movement during sleep. Heart rate and respiration are also used to determine the overall quality of your sleep.

Heart rate Green LEDs illuminate the skin of the wrist and the light is absorbed by the flow of blood. Changes in absorption are used to detect blood flow and heartbeats to accurately calculate heart rate.

Blood oxygen (Sp02) The level of oxygen in your blood is measured in a similar fashion to heart rate. Light wavelengths target haemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen) and are reflected back to measure oxygen content.

ECG Heart rate monitoring is combined with an electrode in the crown or face of the watch that records the electrical impulses associated with heartbeat. The user simply presses a fingertip to the crown or watch face and an algorithm will then assess heart rhythm.

Wear it well Wearables are largely accurate when

Fashion fit Aesthetically, fitness trackers come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles, from slender bands to traditional watch faces, while smartwatches can boast a classic analogue watch face and a fashionable design that wouldn’t look out of place at a business meeting. Whether it’s sleek and sporty, classy, or rugged and chunky, fitness and fashion go hand-in-hand with modern wearables. New iterations continue to sport a variety of fancy colours like Pink Sand, Waterfall Blue, Beet Juice, and Black Titanium, and you can always accessorise with a range of alternative/replacement bands available, depending on the model. Simply mix and match to suit your style or mood.

measuring things like heart rate and blood oxygen levels, but this is dependent upon the device’s sensors making physical contact with the skin. The more snug the fit, the more accurate the readings. The light from the sensors beneath shouldn’t be visible and the optimal wearing position is two finger-widths above the wrist bone. A build up of moisture from sweat and sunscreen can also affect monitoring, so be sure to clean the sensors regularly with a lint-free cloth.

48 OCTOBER 2022

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