Abstract
The availability of wearable devices (WDs) to collect biometric information and their use during activities of daily living is significantly increasing in the general population. These small electronic devices, which record fitness and health-related outcomes, have been broadly utilized in industries such as medicine, healthcare, and fitness. Since they are simple to use and progressively cheaper, they have also been used for numerous research purposes. However, despite their increasing popularity, most of these WDs do not accurately measure the proclaimed outcomes. In fact, research is equivocal about whether they are valid and reliable methods to specifically evaluate physical activity and health-related outcomes in older adults, since they are mostly designed and produced considering younger subjects’ physical and mental characteristics. Additionally, their constant evolution through continuous upgrades and redesigned versions, suggests the need for constant up-to-date reviews and research. Accordingly, this article aims to scrutinize the state-of-the-art scientific evidence about the usefulness of WDs, specifically on older adults, to monitor physical activity and health-related outcomes. This critical review not only aims to inform older consumers but also aid researchers in study design when selecting physical activity and healthcare monitoring devices for elderly people.
Highlights
This review aims to analyze the existing scientific evidence regarding the most commonly used wearable devices (WDs) for monitoring: (1) physical activity and energy expenditure; (2) the interactions between physical activity and health-related outcomes in both cardiovascular diseases and diabetes; and (3) cognitive performance, in the elderly population
These WDs are based on a method called photoplethysmography (PPG), which is a low-cost technology that uses optical sensors to measure changes in light-emitting diodes (LED) that are transmitted through the skin surface and reflected back from human tissues to detect volumetric changes in blood circulation
A systematic review concluded that the correlation between pulse rate variability (PRV) derived from consumer wearables and Heart rate variability (HRV) measured from ECG ranged from very good to excellent under resting conditions; it declined progressively with increasing level of exercise [64]
Summary
The use of wearable devices (WDs) and technology to evaluate and monitor physical activity and health-related outcomes in order to maintain overall health, preserve motor control, cardiovascular, metabolic and cognitive performance throughout the aging process will certainly be advantageous [3]. The rising concern to provide quality of life for elderly people, the high prevalence of chronic diseases in this population, and the heterogeneity related to their health conditions make it urgent to investigate and disseminate the use of valid and reliable WDs, which are adequate to assist elders and researchers during active aging. This review aims to analyze the existing scientific evidence regarding the most commonly used WDs for monitoring: (1) physical activity and energy expenditure; (2) the interactions between physical activity and health-related outcomes in both cardiovascular diseases and diabetes; and (3) cognitive performance, in the elderly population
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