We broadly divided the technologies into the following categories (Figure (Figure1 1):ĭevices for monitoring hydration status and metabolismĭevices, garments, and mobile applications for monitoring physical and psychological stress Devices for inclusion in the review were identified by searching the internet and databases of scientific literature (e.g., PubMed) using key terms such as “technology,” “hydration,” “sweat analysis,” “heart rate,” “respiration,” “biofeedback,” “respiration,” “muscle oxygenation,” “sleep,” “cognitive function,” and “concussion.” We examined the websites for commercial technologies for links to research, and where applicable, we sourced published research literature. To undertake this task, we compiled a list of known technologies for monitoring physiology, performance and health, including concussion. In this review, we describe and evaluate emerging technologies that may be of potential benefit for dedicated athletes, so-called “weekend warriors,” and others with a general interest in tracking their own health.
For this reason, regular technology updates are warranted.
PRICE OF A NEUROTRACKER PORTABLE
However, the number and diversity of portable devices, wearable sensors and mobile applications is ever increasing and evolving. Various academic reviews have summarized existing technologies (Duking et al., 2016 Halson et al., 2016 Piwek et al., 2016 Baron et al., 2017). However, effective validation of technology for the “real world” and development of effective methods for processing data requires collaboration with mathematicians and physiologists (Sawka and Friedl, 2018).Īlthough there is some overlap between certain technologies, there are also some differences, strengths and weaknesses between related technologies. Technology development has typically been driven by bioengineers. In this way, technology is becoming “smarter,” more personalized with the possibility of providing real-time feedback to users (Sawka and Friedl, 2018). Health and performance technology is now moving toward miniaturized sensors, integrated computing, and artificial intelligence. Consumer technology is moving beyond basic measurement and telemetry of standard vital signs, and predictive algorithms based on static population-based information. This technology is at various stages of development: some has been independently tested to determine its reliability and validity, whereas other technology has not been properly tested. The number and availability of consumer technologies for evaluating physical and psychological health, training emotional awareness, monitoring sleep quality, and assessing cognitive function has increased dramatically in recent years. To get the best value, consumers should carefully select such products, not only based on their personal needs, but also according to the strength of supporting evidence and effectiveness of the products. To create a competitive advantage, companies producing health and performance technologies should consult with consumers to identify real-world need, and invest in research to prove the effectiveness of their products. Looking to the future, the rapidly expanding market of health and sports performance technology has much to offer consumers. The value of such technologies for consumer use is debatable, however, because they may require extra time to set up and interpret the data they produce. Around 10% of technologies have been developed for and used in research. Only 5% of the technologies have been formally validated. Among the technologies included in this review, more than half have not been validated through independent research.
Consumers who are choosing new technology should consider whether it (1) produces desirable (or non-desirable) outcomes, (2) has been developed based on real-world need, and (3) has been tested and proven effective in applied studies in different settings. In this review, we have summarized the features and evaluated the characteristics of a cross-section of technologies for health and sports performance according to what the technology is claimed to do, whether it has been validated and is reliable, and if it is suitable for general consumer use. These variables include cardiorespiratory function, movement patterns, sweat analysis, tissue oxygenation, sleep, emotional state, and changes in cognitive function following concussion. A wide range of smart watches, bands, garments, and patches with embedded sensors, small portable devices and mobile applications now exist to record and provide users with feedback on many different physical performance variables. The commercial market for technologies to monitor and improve personal health and sports performance is ever expanding.