Fitness-tracking technology is not made with senior citizens in mind, says the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).
AARP partnered with Georgia Tech, Pzifer, MedStar and United Healthcare to assess older Americans' ability to use cutting-edge fitness technology. Their study, dubbed Project Catalyst, found that many people over the age of 50 found the products difficult to use and uncomfortable to wear. Nonetheless, participants found the devices valuable, if difficult to adapt to.
Many of the 92 study participants complained that the devices, developed by prominent fitness companies such as Fitbit, Jawbone and Misfit, irritated their skin. That response was perhaps predictable, since older people typically have more sensitive skin, the study noted. In addition, many of the participants found the devices complicated and unreliable. The trackers were difficult to calibrate and frequently lost data.
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What seniors are looking for, said AARP, are simpler devices that allow them to monitor certain biometric information, including heart rate and blood sugar.
Despite the complaints, however, two-thirds of the study participants found the devices beneficial. Jody Holtzman, AARP senior vice-president of thought leadership, said the fitness industry should take note of the findings if it hopes to tap into the ever-growing market of senior citizens.
"If these qualities are improved," she said, "the potential in the 50-plus market for activity and sleep trackers is likely to grow."
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Dan Cook
Dan Cook is a journalist and communications consultant based in Portland, OR. During his journalism career he has been a reporter and editor for a variety of media companies, including American Lawyer Media, BusinessWeek, Newhouse Newspapers, Knight-Ridder, Time Inc., and Reuters. He specializes in health care and insurance related coverage for BenefitsPRO.
