STACK #240 October 2024

TECH FEATURE

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Features to look out for

Wearables pack an amazing amount of features and functions into their compact shells to track your health and fitness 24/7. When choosing a watch or tracker, determine the kind of data that you want to track based on your daily activity and exercise routine. Here are some of the general ones that you’ll come across.* Basic features 24/7 fitness tracking – Daily steps taken, calories burned, distance travelled, heart rate and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring GPS – For real-time distance the quality of your kip, and sleep stages. Some watches can assign a ‘sleep score’ based on the data collected. Voice assistant support – For hands-free use, calls and messaging, and music library access Advanced features ECG (Electrocardiogram) – Measures the heart’s electrical activity and can detect irregularities like atrial fibrillation Stress tracking – tracking, navigation, and measuring speed when cycling, running or swimming Sleep tracking – Monitors sleep patterns,

Wearing a smartwatch or fitness tracker daily keeps you mindful of staying active and keeping track of your wellbeing. Here’s what you need to know to choose the right type of wearable tech. Words Bec Summer STAYING ON TRACK

What do they do? Whether you’re prepping for a marathon or just walking the dog, wearable tech basically tracks various aspects of your health, fitness, and daily activity, such as steps taken, heart rate, and blood oxygen saturation (Sp02). More advanced features can include dedicated sports modes and coaching, sleep quality monitoring, stress and body temperature measurements, fall detection, and more. Speed and distance travelled can also be tracked using GPS, and pairing with a phone allows you to take calls, messages, and access your music playlists, or make contactless payments from digital wallets. Think of these clever devices as a virtual personal trainer – and a phone – on your wrist! Who are they for? Smartwatches and fitness trackers are defined by their feature set and functionality. Trackers are ideal for casual exercisers who may just want to keep tabs on the basics, while smartwatches are more versatile and can include specialised modes for athletes, as well as tools, maps, and advanced GPS tracking for more adventurous activities like hiking and climbing.

How do they work? Watches and trackers use dedicated sensors to track vital stats and continuously gather data that’s converted into metrics, such as the number of steps taken and variable heart rate. Data is visible on the device’s display, while companion apps provide more in-depth analysis, enabling you to track progress and achieve fitness goals.

Uses heart rate variability data to calculate stress levels and suggest coping techniques like guided breathing. Body temperature monitoring –

Skin temperature is measured using an infrared sensor. More accurate readings can be obtained during sleep tracking. Fall detection – In the event of a tumble, a message can be

Wearables can also detect underlying health problems, and continuous wear can track when abnormalities are occurring. Indeed, this feature is sometimes newsworthy, with users claiming a watch saved their life by detecting a serious issue early.

automatically sent to emergency contacts or services. Readiness score – A score from 0-100 – based on

recent activity, sleep and heart rate stats – tells you if you’re ready to go or to rest and recover. Feminine health monitoring – Tracks the menstrual cycle and can intelligently predict cycle times and fertile windows.

* Features and functions will vary based on the brand and model

OCTOBER 2024

jbhifi.com.au

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