Are Fitness Trackers Safe To Wear? Get The Latest Research Now

Are Fitness Trackers Safe To Wear Get The Latest Research Now

Fitness trackers are devices that people use to track their physical activity. There are many different brands and types of fitness trackers, but they all have one common goal: to help people become more active and healthy.

However, there is some debate about the question “Are fitness trackers safe to wear?” Some experts believe the devices could harm your health, while others think they’re safe.

Are Fitness Trackers Safe To Wear?

You can safely wear popular fitness trackers and GPS smartwatches like the ones available from Garmin and Fitbit.

Radiation can cause concern in many cases, but this is not a reason to be alarmed.

You may be concerned about your health and want to know more about your privacy and the security of your sensitive data. This topic is multifaceted, depending on how many safety concerns are present.

Because fitness trackers can be different depending on their brand and manufacturing process, let’s look at how safe they are according to three of the most well-known brands.

Garmin

Garmin makes both GPS smartwatches for fitness and wearable fitness trackers.

Nearly all Garmin devices emit radiation. However, they are comparable to cell phones and should not be considered a concern if you use them daily for less than six hours.

Garmin devices are worn directly on the skin, so both non-ionizing radiation and rf radiation can be absorbed.

Rf radiation is known to cause cancer in people. However, this can only be done if the radiation is exposed to excessively high frequencies for a prolonged period.

Are Fitness Trackers Safe To Wear

Cell phones are in the same boat. Cell phones could pose a more significant threat to your brain because they transmit frequencies directly.

These radiation types can be directly associated with Bluetooth and apps on cell phones. If you don’t have Bluetooth running, it is not a problem.

Garmin watches have such low radiation levels that there is no reason to be alarmed. This is why some Garmin watches from the past have caused skin or wrist discomfort when worn outdoors for prolonged periods.

Fitbit

Fitbit devices have many of the same energy characteristics that Garmin. These radiation levels are comparable to those seen in cell phones.

The Fitbit fitness trackers monitor heart rate, sleep, and other metrics related to health.

Fitbit fitness trackers can produce high levels of EMF exposure. This may cause skin irritations in some people. However, Fitbit’s EMG emits rate allows for moderate daily exposure.

Apple

Like Garmin and Fitbit, Apple fitness trackers are among the most sought-after fitness tracker models. Apple is also a famous brand for smartwatches and phones.

Apple wearable trackers also have the same concerns and details as Garmin and Fitbit.

Apple’s fitness tracker and watches models are still relatively new, so there is not much data on safety.

Like all fitness trackers, the frequency program for wearables is not dangerous and should be used in moderation.

Side Effects of Wearing Fitness Bands

Research conducted by the University of Utah and its cancer institute in 2015 found that fitness trackers were safe to wear.

Radioactive frequencies can cause distress to internal organs, but the level of radioactive frequencies depends on how much radiation is being emitted.

You need to give your wearables a break from connecting to your body for many hours every day, just like a phone. This can be very harmful to your health as the EMF levels from Bluetooth technology and WiFi can cause health problems immediately or for years.

See also  How To Measure Blood Pressure With Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 & Active 2

Are There Any Side Effects On Your Health Or Adverse Effects From Wearing A Smartwatch

People may also experience disturbances in their sleep cycles due to the frequency emitting from the device.

Heavy and prolonged daily use can cause skin irritations or even burns.

Open WiFi networks and Bluetooth outdoors and in public places can raise security concerns. Distractions while driving or cycling are another concern.

Are Smartwatches Safe to Wear All The Time?

You shouldn’t wear fitness trackers 24/7. You may have health issues if you use the device continuously, even while you sleep.

Radiation levels from the device can cause wrist pain and burns in some people. Keep the device off your wrist and use it only for sleep tracking or fitness.

Are These Devices Safe To Wear All The Time

Is A Fitness Tracker Capable Of Emitting Non-Ionizing Radiation?

Non-ionizing radiation from a fitness tracker or smartwatch is often associated with Rf radioactivity. This is a type of radio wave.

This radio wave can pose a danger because it oscillates in both magnetic and electric fields.

You can reduce your exposure to danger by limiting the use of the device to a few hours per day.

Is A Fitness Tracker Capable Of Emitting Non-Ionizing Radiation

Should You Worry Too Much About Wearing A Fitness Tracker?

Everyone wants to be healthy. It is essential to know the risks of any food or substance. Medical experts almost all agree that wearable devices can be benign.

John Sweetenham MD, a University of Utah hematologist, said, “I don’t think there’s any evidence to support that there is a problem.”

What Are The Benefits Of Fitness Trackers?

A fitness tracker is a great way to start a healthier lifestyle. You will feel more motivated to be active and better your health if you can track your activity.

These fitness trackers can be a great way to motivate yourself to achieve your goals for health and fitness. The apps record your activity and send you messages frequently to let you know how you’re doing.

They will encourage and support you as you work towards your goal.

According to a 2016 study, fitness trackers can increase physical activity and promote weight reduction.

Harvard experts say that some fitness trackers can record your heart rate. This is crucial for determining how intense your workouts are.

If you don’t know how to set up fitness trackers, maybe this guide is useful for you.

9 Tips to Safely Use Fitness Trackers

As telecom technology evolves from 4G to 5, the global number of connected wearable devices will increase to more than 1.1 billion by 2023. You could also share your location with third parties if you use a fitness tracker. This can pose a safety risk.

If you’re still hesitant about joining the global fitness tracker community, there are steps you can take.

Reduce your exposure while sleeping

Many people love to use fitness trackers to track their sleeping patterns. To reduce radiation exposure, you can take your fitness tracker to bed to minimize the risk of missing any important information you need to track during the day.

Experts recommend that you stop wearing your fitness tracker while you sleep. Placing your hand near your forehead could expose your brain to low-frequency waves.

Your fitness tracker may have detected a sleep disorder. The number of people concerned about their sleep quality and length increases after they use tracking devices to log their sleeping patterns. According to a study published by the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, it can lead to anxiety about getting good sleep.

See also  How To Set Up A Fitness Tracker? Full Instruction

It was also found that science has not yet supported the majority of these devices’ ability to measure and improve sleep quality and duration.

Pay attention to where your fitness tracker is worn

Although a fitness tracker’s radiation levels are minimal, knowing where your tracker is being worn is essential. It is best to keep it away from your vital organs like the heart and genital regions.

Armbands, anklets and wristbands, and rings can reduce radiation exposure. Belt clips and chest straps might not be the best options if radiation is a concern.

Reduce your use of wearable devices

Low-powered radiofrequency transmitters (RF) transmit and receive data from smartphones or the Internet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, RF transmitters emit radio waves. This is a form of non-ionizing radiation.

Radiofrequency radiation (radio waves) is a form of non-ionizing radiation that cell phones emit. According to the National Cancer Institute, this radiation can be absorbed by the areas closest to the antenna.

9 Tips to Safely Use Fitness Trackers

It is a good idea to limit your Bluetooth-enabled wearable devices. Here are some ways to reduce radiation from other wearables.

  • Set your tablet on a table if you can.
  • Use your cell phone’s speakerphone.
  • Four ways to reduce the time it takes to use the Fitness Tracker
  • You can reduce the exposure of your fitness tracker if you are worried about it being visible during your workouts.
  • Radiation-emitting devices should be kept at a safe distance from sensitive areas. The less time you spend in direct sunlight, the better.

Limit Your Location Sharing

NASA says that location data is precious and should be protected. A New York Times investigation revealed that wearables manufacturers could identify and track individuals, from military personnel to Hollywood stars, using just a tiny portion of the location data they received from a company that mined data from different apps.

Your fitness trackers monitor your every move. It also presents the collected data in a map to analyze your outdoor activities like running, cycling or camping. Although fitness trackers may claim your location data is anonymous and secure without any identifiable information, the New York Times investigation revealed how they were able to track a single user’s activities and pinpoint their data.

Limit the data being collected

Apps and wearables often collect more data than necessary. Limit the data being collected by apps and wearables. Your fitness tracker should only collect the information required to provide you with the feedback you need.

If you don’t care about your sleep habits and would instead count your steps, you can turn off the sleep tracker.

Communication with Phone

Your Bluetooth connection can affect the radiation emitted from your fitness tracker. Reduce Bluetooth connectivity to your tracker, or get a tracker with no Bluetooth.

Although Bluetooth connectivity is often seen as a plus, it is the primary radiation source.

Read the User Agreement

To learn more about your tracker, its company, how they collect data, and how it is used, read the manuals.

The user agreement must be read before you can access any service. Decide if trading your data is worth it before you agree or disagree.

You can find the following information by reading the user agreement:

  • What data does the company get from your wearables?
  • What can the makers of fitness trackers do with this data?
  • What length of time can the information be kept?
  • Can you have the data back?
See also  How To Enjoy Running? Full Of Expert Tips

Then, decide if the advice and information you receive are worth the risk of losing the data security to the service. You have the right to make a decision, but make it informed.

Set Up Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication, or 2FA, is one of the best ways you can secure your accounts. Two-factor authentication is a method that generates a code sends it to trusted devices (such as your phone), then you can enter the code to confirm who you are.

FAQs

Are activity trackers harmful?

Although radiation levels can be hazardous in smartwatches, it is all dependent on how much you are exposed to the watch.

Although the devices are not new enough to conduct research on the possibility of cancer-causing exposures, it is clear that EMF emissions from smartwatches can cause cancer in large quantities and for an almost endless amount of time.

Are they able to cause wrist burns?

Wearing a tracker or smartwatch all day can cause a wrist burn.

This can be prevented by only wearing the product while you’re engaged in fitness activities you want to track. To protect your skin from the sun and heat, you might consider covering the tracker or watch with a piece of cloth.

Is it safe for a smartwatch to be worn while you sleep?

The wearables can also track sleep, another popular application for fitness trackers.

While it is acceptable to wear a tracker or smartwatch while you sleep, you should limit the amount of tracking you do to a few nights each week.

Because these products emit energy levels that are different from your brain’s sleep cycle, they could cause disruptions to many users’ sleeping patterns.

Is there any danger in wearable technology?

The World Health Organization recommends a fitness tracker due to the health benefits of exercise.

These devices record valuable information about a person’s energy exertion and performance during physical activity. They also provide benefits that can be used to improve your health.

These products can pose dangers, as we have already mentioned. However, you must understand two things.

Wearable technology is still relatively young.

Radiation dangers are mainly related to how frequently you use technology like Bluetooth or WiFi and the time they have been used.

Radiation concerns also apply to wrist burns that can result from prolonged usage. You should only share information with apps that have been encrypted or stored on the device.

Is it safe to wear a Fitbit all the time?

If you wear Fitbit all the time. Some Fitbit products may cause skin irritation. A few people who use it for a long time may develop skin irritations or allergies.

Are fitness trackers bad for your mental health?

Yes. A fitness tracker can affect a person’s peace of mind by making them feel more anxious or causing other mental problems.

Conclusion

The debate about whether or not fitness trackers are safe to wear is not something that can be quickly resolved. While some experts think the devices could be dangerous, others believe they are safe. As far as we know, there have not been any studies that have proven that fitness trackers are unsafe. So if you have one, you should feel free to use it.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *