Selecting and utilizing wearable devices

Wearable technology has the potential to improve health monitoring and management among older adults by enabling real-time tracking of physical activities, health metrics, and disease symptoms. Incorporating smart wearables into the lives of individuals over the age of 55 can offer profound benefits in promoting physical activity, health tracking, and overall motivation. Wearables such as fitness trackers, smartwatches, and other health-monitoring devices enable users to set achievable goals, track their progress in real-time, and receive personalized feedback to sustain motivation. However, training older adults to effectively use wearables presents several challenges due to physical, cognitive, and technological factors. Below there is an effort to present the main barriers when training older adults to use effectively wearables in fitness sessions, while suggesting possible solutions for enhancing user adoption and efficacy. There is also some practical strategies for using the above technologies to engage older adults and enhance their well-being.

Issues in training older adults to use wearables

Training older adults to use wearable technology requires addressing both physical and cognitive limitations, as well as technological and psychological barriers. To ensure successful adoption, training should be tailored to individual needs, focusing on usability, simplicity, and relevance. Involving older adults in the design and testing of these devices will further improve their accessibility and ease of use. Finally, offering sustained support and addressing concerns around privacy and security can increase confidence and reduce resistance, making wearables a valuable tool for enhancing the health and well-being of older populations.

As people age, their physical limitations are apparent in their fine motor skills and dexterity that tend to deteriorate, which can make interacting with small wearable devices challenging. Wearables like smartwatches, fitness trackers, and health monitors often require precise touch gestures, button pressing, or screen swiping. Older adults may struggle with these actions due to reduced hand mobility or tremors, a common issue for those with arthritis or Parkinson’s disease. Wearables designed with larger, more tactile buttons or voice activation could alleviate some of these physical barriers. Some studies have recommended co-designing wearables with elderly participants to improve usability and accessibility (Kimura et al., 2024). Cognitive impairments, such as memory loss and decreased attention span, are also significant barriers to training older adults. Remembering how to operate a device, charge it, or interpret the data can be difficult. Training programs often rely on complex instructions, which can overwhelm users with cognitive decline. Simplified interfaces and personalized training methods (e.g., one-on-one training sessions or instructional videos) could support cognitive needs. Studies suggest breaking the training into small, digestible steps to accommodate memory and learning limitations (Yan & Guo, 2024).

A significant proportion of older adults have low levels of technological literacy, which creates a gap in their ability to adopt wearables effectively. Many older individuals may have had limited exposure to smartphones, tablets, or other digital interfaces, which exacerbates their difficulty in understanding and using wearables. Training older adults to use wearables often requires overcoming their apprehension toward technology. Research suggests that older adults need sustained support and encouragement to build confidence. Additionally, trainers should prioritize patient, hands-on guidance rather than traditional lecture-style instruction (Gao et al., 2024).

While the benefits of wearables are clear, certain barriers hinder their full adoption among older adults. Many older adults experience what is termed “technological anxiety,” which refers to the stress or discomfort associated with learning and using new technologies. This fear can prevent them from fully engaging with the wearable, even if they understand its potential health benefits. Common issues reported by older adults, include device complexity, data interpretation challenges, and concerns about battery life. Peng et al. (2021) noted that older adults are more likely to use wearables that offer simple interfaces and clear instructions. Additionally, Chow and Yang (2020) highlighted the importance of offering introductory tutorials and visual feedback mechanisms to assist elderly users in learning how to operate the devices effectively.

To address this technological anxiety, faced by older adults, trainers can foster a positive learning environment that emphasizes the benefits of wearables rather than focusing on their technical complexity. Studies suggest that using peer mentoring programs, where older adults train one another, can reduce anxiety and improve adoption rates (Yan & Guo, 2024). Involving older adults in the design process of wearables ensures that the devices are user-friendly for their specific needs. Accessibility features like larger fonts, voice-activated commands, and simplified displays should be prioritized to ease usability concerns. Many older adults benefit from user-centered designs that simplify device interactions. Providing clear feedback on the device’s functionality and offering error correction options can prevent frustration (Liang, 2024). Table 1 summarizes examples of typical issues that the older adults raise as barriers in using wearables.

Table 1. Typical barriers reported from older adults in using wearables and suggested solutions in facing these barriers.

Barrier	Suggested Solution
Complex User Interface	Offer simple interfaces with large fonts and icons
Battery Life Concerns	Use wearables with long battery life or solar charging
Difficulty Interpreting Data	Provide easy-to-understand summaries and visual feedback
Technical Support Needs	Offer accessible tutorials or helplines

Older adults may not perceive wearables as necessary or relevant to their lives, especially if they do not feel a direct connection between the technology and their well-being. This perceived lack of relevance can hinder motivation to learn how to use these devices. Trainers should focus on framing wearables as tools that can directly enhance the user’s independence, safety, and quality of life. Demonstrating the specific health benefits that wearables can offer, such as fall detection or heart rate monitoring, can increase user engagement (Wall et al., 2024). Older adults often express concerns about privacy when using digital health tools, fearing that their personal data could be misused. Wearables, especially those that track sensitive health data, can increase anxiety about data breaches, identity theft, or third-party access to their personal information. Clear communication about privacy policies, data security, and user control over data sharing is critical in training sessions. Explaining how wearables protect privacy and ensuring trust through transparency can help mitigate these concerns (Pichandi et al., 2025).

Training programs should be adapted to the needs of older adults by being more personalized and flexible. For instance, smaller group settings and individualized coaching have been shown to enhance the learning experience for older adults. Offering longer training sessions that allow participants to practice at their own pace, as well as follow-up support sessions, can lead to better retention and user comfort with the technology. Additionally, employing adaptive learning technologies that adjust to the user’s learning pace may be beneficial (Lee et al., 2024).

Tracking Progress, Setting Realistic Goals and Providing Feedback

Tracking progress is a major benefit of wearable technology, allowing individuals to see the results of their efforts over time. Research findings suggest that older adults appreciate the ability to view their progress directly on their wearable devices, since it reinforces their motivation to remain active (Ehn et al., 2018). Wearables display key metrics such as steps taken, calories burned, active minutes, and even heart rate variability. The data is often represented visually, using graphs and charts that make it easy for individuals to understand their daily performance relative to their goals. Furthermore, it has been proved that wearables encourage sustained behaviour change by offering timely feedback, such as congratulatory notifications or reminders to keep moving (Moore et al., 2021). The feedback provided by wearables is usually in the form of:

• Daily Progress Notifications: Inform users of how close they are to reaching their step or activity goal.
• Weekly Reports: Summarize overall performance, displaying trends such as an increase in physical activity or improved sleep.
• Heart Rate Alerts: Notify users when their heart rate exceeds or drops below a safe range during exercise.

The form of the feedback that the wearables offer may be used as a critical tool to set goals. One of the most important things in setting goals, in any population, is to set achievable and realistic goals. Following this rule in setting goals is important for the self-efficacy of 55+ individuals, which in turn is essential to maintaining long-term engagement with physical activity. According to a study by Kononova et al. (2019), setting daily step targets using wearable devices significantly increased activity levels in older adults. Wearables provide several built-in functionalities that enable users not only to set goals but also to customize their goals based on their health status, previous activity levels, and personal fitness objectives.

Decisions on goal selection should be based on the functional fitness and participants’ needs in order to be realistic and achievable. However, goals should have to be specific and this is a feature that may be achievable only if we take into account not only the goal type, but also specific features of the available wearables that the participants may easily read. Table 2 is an example of the goals that could be set based on the wearable features.

Table 2. Wearable goals and features with practical examples.

Goal Type	Wearable Feature	Practical Example
Daily Step Count	Step Counter	Set a daily step goal of 5,000-7,000 steps
Heart Health	Heart Rate Monitor	Maintain a heart rate of 110-120 BPM during a walk
Sleep Improvement	Sleep Tracker	Set a goal of 7-8 hours of sleep per night
Calories Burned	Caloric Burn Estimator	Track and aim to burn 200-300 kcal during a workout

Selecting the best wearable for older adults

Selecting the best wearable for older clients requires the fitness professional to have a good knowledge background on the wearables available in the market. The fitness instructor should know which wearables are reachable to the older participants, what are their main features and what is their fitness relevance, that is how they could be used for setting goals and provide feedback. Below is a list of wearables commonly used in fitness area. For each wearable, there are common trademarks and a summary description of their features. There are also some hints for use in fitness settings.

1. Fitness Trackers (Activity Bands)

Description: Devices like Fitbit, Garmin, or Xiaomi Mi Bands are designed to track daily steps, distance traveled, calories burned, and heart rate. These devices often come with additional features like sleep tracking, GPS, and sometimes even VO2 max measurements.

• Fitness Relevance: Fitness trackers are particularly useful for seniors as they offer goal-setting features (e.g., 10,000 steps a day), motivate physical activity, and provide a clear picture of daily fitness achievements.

2. Smartwatches (Fitness-Focused)

Description: Devices like the Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, and Garmin Forerunner integrate fitness tracking with smartwatch capabilities. Many smartwatches include sensors for heart rate monitoring, oxygen saturation (SpO2), and even ECG, making them suitable for more in-depth health tracking.

• Fitness Relevance: These devices encourage users to stay active through reminders and goals like daily activity rings or custom workout plans. For older users, it offers both fitness motivation and health monitoring (e.g., abnormal heart rate alerts).

3. Heart Rate Monitors (Chest Straps and Armbands)

Description: Devices like Polar H10 and Wahoo Tickr are worn around the chest or arm to provide accurate heart rate data during workouts.

• Fitness Relevance: Heart rate monitoring is crucial in ensuring seniors exercise within a safe heart rate zone, making it suitable for cardiac rehabilitation or general fitness goals. These are often more accurate than wrist-based sensors.

4. Smart Shoes & Insoles (Fitness)

Description: Devices like Under Armour’s smart shoes or smart insoles (e.g., Digitsole) track running metrics such as pace, stride length, and even foot pressure.

• Fitness Relevance: Smart shoes or insoles help in tracking walking or running biomechanics, which can prevent injury and encourage older adults to maintain proper walking posture. They can also help monitor daily steps more accurately.

5. GPS Running Watches

Description: These are specialized fitness devices, like Garmin Forerunner or Polar Vantage, that are designed for runners and hikers. They come with advanced features like GPS, heart rate zones, and running cadence analysis.

• Fitness Relevance: Ideal for more active older adults who enjoy walking, jogging, or hiking, these watches provide data on distance, speed, and heart rate, motivating users to achieve fitness milestones and improve cardiovascular health.

6. Smart Rings (Fitness-Focused)

Description: Devices like Oura Ring and Motiv Ring can track physical activity, sleep quality, heart rate variability (HRV), and even body temperature. While smaller than smartwatches, they offer a comprehensive overview of physical activity.

• Fitness Relevance: Smart rings are discreet yet powerful for seniors who might not want to wear bulkier devices. They are particularly good for tracking passive activities like walking and provide data on recovery and sleep, ensuring overall well-being.

7. Posture Monitoring Wearables

Description: Devices like Upright GO are designed to monitor and correct posture by vibrating when the user slouches.

• Fitness Relevance: These devices help older adults maintain good posture, which is essential for preventing back pain and injuries, especially during physical activities or exercises that involve body movements.

8. Wearable Resistance Bands

Description: Some fitness wearables come in the form of smart resistance bands (e.g., Tangram Smart Rope) which track repetitions, speed, and calories burned during strength exercises.

• Fitness Relevance: Wearable resistance bands are ideal for low-impact strength training exercises, which are important for older adults to maintain muscle strength and joint health. Tracking reps can motivate seniors to improve strength over time.

9. Body Composition Monitors

Description: Smart scales or body composition monitors (e.g., Withings Body+ or Garmin Index) can track weight, muscle mass, fat percentage, and water retention. Some also sync with fitness apps or wearables to provide a more holistic view of fitness.

• Fitness Relevance: For older adults, monitoring body composition helps in ensuring muscle mass retention and preventing sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss). These devices also help set realistic fitness goals.

10. Smart Hydration Trackers

Description: Devices like HidrateSpark monitor your water intake and remind you to stay hydrated by syncing with fitness apps and providing data on your hydration status.

• Fitness Relevance: Hydration is crucial for maintaining physical performance, especially for seniors who might forget to drink water. Smart water bottles or hydration trackers ensure they stay properly hydrated during workouts and throughout the day.

Table 3 is an effort to compare popular fitness wearables for older adults. The devices included are:

• Fitness Relevance: A versatile fitness tracker suitable for older adults, with features like heart rate monitoring, stress tracking, and sleep analysis, encouraging daily movement.
• Apple Watch Series 9: Combines fitness tracking with advanced health features, making it ideal for older adults, especially with fall detection and ECG monitoring.
• Garmin Forerunner 45: Excellent for older adults who enjoy running or walking. Its simple interface and accurate GPS and heart rate metrics provide motivation for fitness goals.
• Oura Ring: A discreet smart ring that monitors daily activity, heart rate variability (HRV), and sleep, offering passive wellness tracking, ideal for seniors who prefer less intrusive wearables.
• Polar H10: This highly accurate chest strap heart rate monitor is perfect for seniors engaged in more intense cardio activities, ensuring they stay within a safe heart rate zone.

Table 3. Devices, key features, and their benefits for adults 55+.

Device	Type	Key Features	Target Activity	Benefits for 55+
Fitbit Charge 5	Fitness Tracker	Heart rate, sleep tracking, GPS, stress monitoring, steps, SpO2	Walking, daily activity, stress management	Easy to use, tracks stress and sleep, promotes daily movement
Apple Watch Series 9	Smartwatch	ECG, blood oxygen, fitness coaching, fall detection, activity rings	General fitness, walking, heart monitoring, fall detection	Monitors heart health, fall detection for safety, wide range of fitness apps
Garmin Forerunner 45	GPS Running Watch	Heart rate, GPS, VO2 max, running dynamics, stress tracking	Running, walking, cardio training	Motivates running or walking, simple interface, precise health metrics
Oura Ring	Smart Ring	Heart rate variability (HRV), sleep analysis, activity tracking, recovery insights	Daily activity tracking, sleep, wellness	Small and discreet, tracks heart health and wellness, good for passive tracking
Polar H10	Heart Rate Monitor (Chest Strap)	High accuracy heart rate tracking, Bluetooth, works with fitness apps	High-intensity cardio, precise heart rate monitoring	Extremely accurate for safe workouts, works with other fitness apps

In conclusion, smart wearables offer a range of functionalities that can help older adults track their progress, set goals, and stay motivated. The combination of goal-setting, progress tracking, feedback, and social engagement features makes these devices an effective tool for promoting long-term physical activity and health maintenance in the 55+ population. By addressing the common barriers and providing appropriate guidance, older adults can reap the full benefits of smart wearables in maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle.