Challenges Associated with Fitness Trackers: A Research Report

This research report examines the challenges associated with fitness trackers, focusing on issues such as data accuracy, durability, software complications, and affordability. The report begins with a review of the history and use of fitness trackers as wearable technology, highlighting their benefits in identifying health-related issues. However, it shifts the perspective to address problems like health concerns, data reliability, and the physical resilience of the devices. The research incorporates feedback from users in various environments and secondary data from credible sources to support its findings. The report concludes with recommendations for stakeholders to mitigate these challenges, including improving software, enhancing durability, and ensuring user-friendly interfaces. The report aims to provide valuable insights for improving the effectiveness and user experience of fitness trackers.

Running head: Challenges Associated with Fitness Trackers 1
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Subject: A Research Report on the Challenges associated with Fitness Trackers.
In accordance with the brief which you provided earlier, please find attached the report
investigating the shortfalls which could be attributed to the use of fitness trackers as a form of
wearable technology.
The research offers a review of the history and use of fitness trackers especially as a method of
identifying health related issues through the incorporation of wearable technology. Despite the
overwhelming benefits of fitness trackers, the research focuses on a different perspective where
issues such as health problems, data accuracy and durability of the gadgets are highlighted as
some of the challenges linked to the wearable technology. The paper explores feedback from
users drawn from various environment and secondary data deduced from credible sources. The
report finally gives the recommendations which could be embraced by the relevant stakeholders
to minimize fitness tracker related issues both currently and in future.

Challenges Associated with Fitness Trackers 2
What are the challenges associated with the use of fitness trackers as an emerging wearable
technology?
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Name of Institution
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Challenges Associated with Fitness Trackers 3
Abstract
The research offers a review of the history and use of fitness trackers especially as a method of
identifying health related issues through the incorporation of wearable technology. Despite the
overwhelming benefits of fitness trackers, the discussion takes a different perspective where
issues such as health problems, data accuracy and durability of the gadgets are highlighted as
some of the challenges linked to the wearable technology. In order to achieve the objectives of
this project, the researcher explores feedback from users drawn from various locations within the
country. Additionally, secondary data deduced from credible sources shall be selected and
reviewed to obtain tacit conclusions. Various recommendations are outlined at the end of the
research report. The report recommends a thorough review of the technical software used to
manufacture the gadgets. This would make the trackers not only user friendly but also usable for
long periods of time in different environmental conditions. These discussions and suggestions
can be useful to the relevant stakeholders. Based on the research outcome, the right strategies can
be identified and implemented in a bid to minimize fitness tracker related issues both currently
and in future.

Challenges Associated with Fitness Trackers 4
Table of Contents
1. Introduction……………………………………………………………………….………….4
1.1 Background and Research Method………………………………………….………..4
1.2 Assumptions and limitations……………………………………………….…………5
2.0 Findings and Discussions………………………………………………………..…...……..6
2.1 Challenges associated with the use of fitness trackers…………….……..………..6
2.1.1 The problem with accuracy…………………………………………………6
2.1.2 The problem with complications in software and hardware………………..6
2.1.3 The problem with durability…………………………………………...……7
2.1.4 Affordability and ability to recharge…………………………….………….7
3.0 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………...….8
4.0 Recommendations……………………………………………………………………………8
5.0 References…………………………………………………………………………………….9

Challenges Associated with Fitness Trackers 5
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background and Research Method
The use of wearable technologies has been embraced in various fraternities and industries across
the world especially in the developed countries where the use of IT is at an advanced level.
Wearable technologies may come in various forms including: implantables, smart watches, smart
jewelry and fitness trackers just to mention but few. The fact these gadgets work in connection
with a smartphone increases the ability of interaction between the user and the interface.
According to (Hänsel, Wilde, Haddadi & Alomainy, 2015), wearable technologies have come
with numerous benefits; improving efficiency in operations in various industries due to the ease
with which the flow of data and other information can be tracked. However, research derived
from the reviews on impacts of technology reveals that there are various challenges which could
be linked to the use of wearable technologies.
This research focuses on fitness trackers as one of the technologies whose popularity continues
to rise especially in the field of sports and health. Some of the devices have technical interfaces
which makes it hard for the users to understand and hence interpret the information. At the same
time, certain fitness trackers have been found to provide inaccurate data which might lead users
into wrong decisions. Such challenges can lead to negative impacts both at an individual and
corporate level. Consequently, this report does not only aim at highlighting the challenges
associated with the use of fitness trackers but also provides possible mitigation strategies which
could be put in place to improve effectiveness while retaining the security and overall well-being
of the users. The report interlinks information obtained from peer reviewed articles in addition to
individual feedback from users hence the incorporation of a mixed method approach to arrive at
the conclusions.

Challenges Associated with Fitness Trackers 6
1.2 Assumptions and limitations
The research solely draws from individual feedbacks as well as information obtained from
secondary sources. The discussion of findings shall therefore be based on the assumption that the
respondents gave their most honest opinions. Furthermore, the discussion shall be based on
statistical data obtained from websites and peer reviewed articles. The researcher in this case
believes in the credibility of these sources and shall bank on these particular precisions in order
to make tacit conclusions. Finally, the researcher equally assumes the presences of both positive
and negative impacts associated with the use of fitness trackers as a form of wearable
technology.
The process of data collection involves obtaining feedback from a variety of respondents in order
to enhance data comparison and hence its legality. This procedure is not only time consuming
but equally requires resources. Minimal resources would therefore hinder the extensive
exploration of the challenges related to fitness trackers. Due to the assumptions and limitations
outlined above, the discussions in this report ought to be treated as a preliminary investigation.

Challenges Associated with Fitness Trackers 7
2.0 Findings and Discussions
2.1 Challenges associated with the use of fitness trackers.
2.1.1 The problem with accuracy.
Fitness trackers may not only be devised to track the steps of the users but a myriad other
activities including sleep, pulse and functioning of various internal body organs. As such, it is
important that the information relayed to the users is the most accurate as this data is used to
make crucial decisions. According to (Awolusi, Marks & Hallowell, 2018), some of the fitness
trackers have been reported to provide inaccurate data which in turn leads to drastic impacts both
on the user and the organization as a whole. For instance, when a fitness tracker gives wrong
information about the heart rate or pulse rate of a user, the user’s life and health is endangered
and may even lead to death in case of drastic situations which are left unattended to. In addition,
the authors argue that some of the challenges on the users may not necessarily arise from the
display of inaccurate data but also on the technicality with which this information is relayed. In
some cases, fitness trackers provide values in forms that may require the user quite a long while
to decipher and hence act on the information. This becomes disadvantageous especially in
emergency situations where immediate mitigation strategies are required to arrest a situation.
2.1.2 The problem with complications in software and hardware
The application of wearable technology continues to rise with expansion in the field of ICT
which can be experienced especially in the developed countries. Developers, in a bid to maintain
a competitive edge and gadget efficiency tend to include complex software and hardware during
the manufacturing process. This however comes to the detriment of the users who are at times
inconvenienced by their inability to interpret the algorithms fed into the fitness trackers. As

Challenges Associated with Fitness Trackers 8
mentioned by (Shih, Han, Poole, Rosson & Carroll, 2015), lack of adequate exposure on the
interpretation of information conveyed via the fitness trackers leads to wrong calculations which
can be quite misleading to the users. For instance, an athlete who depends on a fitness tracker
may incur losses in cases where the gadget fails to give the precise state of his fitness only for
the user to experience unexpected challenges during the actual game.
2.1.3 The problem with durability
Despite the fact that most developers have enhanced their fitness trackers to stay strong and fine
form despite the various conditions, it is a fact worth noting that some of the fitness trackers
confine the users to particular exercises. These exercises may not be the user’s preferred to
choice. As mentioned by (Halson, Peake & Sullivan, 2016), an athlete may settle on jogs and
running as a form of exercise due to the fact that their fitness gadget cannot support conditions
under water. This implies the fitness tracker is likely to be spoiled when used to track fitness
while the user is swimming or in any unfavorable environment.
2.1.4 Affordability and ability to recharge.
The popularity of fitness trackers has continued to rise over time. However, some of the
individuals who would really love to own them cannot due to the low level of affordability.
Similarly, the trackers need constant recharging. The tracker, due to power issues, may go off
when the user is not near a power source. This leads to immense inconveniences.

Challenges Associated with Fitness Trackers 9
3.0 Conclusion and recommendations
The pivotal role that wearable devices has played in enhancing effectiveness and efficiency of
operations in most fraternities across the globe cannot go without mention. However, the
challenges which can be associated with the use of wearable technology such as fitness trackers
equally deserve to be addressed. This would be essential in enhancing the security and wellbeing
of the users (Saleem, Shahzad, Orgun, Al-Muhtadi, Rodrigues & Zakariah, 2017). The report has
detailed some of the major setbacks which can be linked to the use of fitness trackers. The
discussion reveals inaccuracy, low durability, complexity of the software and unaffordability as
some of the basic challenges faced by fitness tracker users. There is therefore an inevitable need
for the right mitigation strategies.
In relation to the discussion above, the following procedures have been recommended;
 There is need to improve desire and motivation among the users. This can be achieved by
making the fitness trackers not only affordable but also easy to wear and carry around.
 The developers ought to come up with devices which are not only easy to recharge but
can also stay with power for long periods of time. This would minimize the
inconveniences faced by users who may not be near power supplies while using the
devices.
 In order to solve the challenge of inaccuracy, the developers ought to improve the devices
to enhance their accuracy in tracking the data which they ought to.
 Finally, data ought to be presented in meaningful patterns. When the interface is user
friendly, the wearers are further motivated to take further action.

Challenges Associated with Fitness Trackers 10
References
Awolusi, I., Marks, E. & Hallowell, M., (2018). Wearable technology for personalized
construction safety monitoring and trending: Review of applicable devices. Automation
in construction, 85, pp.96-106.
Shih, P.C., Han, K., Poole, E.S., Rosson, M.B. & Carroll, J.M., (2015). Use and adoption
challenges of wearable activity trackers. Conference 2015 Proceedings.
Halson, S. L., Peake, J. M., & Sullivan, J. P. (2016). Wearable technology for athletes:
information overload and pseudoscience? International journal of sports physiology and
performance, 11(6), pp. 705-706.
Saleem, K., Shahzad, B., Orgun, M. A., Al-Muhtadi, J., Rodrigues, J. J., & Zakariah, M. (2017).
Design and deployment challenges in immersive and wearable technologies. Behaviour
& Information Technology, 36(7), pp. 687-698.
Hänsel, K., Wilde, N., Haddadi, H., & Alomainy, A. (2015, December). Challenges with current
wearable technology in monitoring health data and providing positive behavioural s
upport. In Proceedings of the 5th EAI International Conference on Wireless Mobile
Communication and Healthcare (pp. 158-161). ICST (Institute for Computer Sciences,
Social-Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering).