Why Should We Care?
We have become so consumed with the idea of how this technology will help us achieve our goals, that we forget to take a step back and see the data for what it is, and how it is supposed to be used. An external product that simply told us how far we’ve gone, how fast we went, and how much energy we’ve used, has now become our boss that orders us into thinking how we should feel on a physical and internal level.
This element of the game is here to stay, and we have made such an effort to integrate wearable technology into our athletic and daily lives that it is too late to step away from it. We cannot turn back, so understanding how to properly use these devices to prevent dependency, data overload, and misinterpretation is key for achieving a more fulfilling outcome. Understand that the technology is here to adapt to us; not the other way around.
Negative Effects Wearables can have on Coaches, Athletes and People:
According to Ashley N. Smith
Ethical Effects:
"Trusting the efficacy of wearables in sports is questionable according to several athletic professionals, mostly due to faults in accuracy, a lack of digestible information and struggles with consistency. Repeated malfunctions among devices have led to serious doubts in the efficacy of wearables in sports. These factors have caused some organizations to abandon wearables altogether. For greater success, it is important that companies provide ample resources for trust in the devices. This can include documentation on accuracy and description of what the data signifies as well as better customer service for consumer inquiries."
Fairness:
"It is important that as wearables develop and become more comprehensive, they do not grant any physical advantages that enhance performance unethically. It is, and will continue to be, imperative to invariably revisit sports legislation on what constitutes cheating versus just a competitive advantage. Protecting the integral values of fairness and impartiality in sports is of utmost importance."
Cognitive Stress:
"A strong athletic identity helps adolescent athletes hone in on their goals and dreams, which fuels professional aspirations and drives them to excel. On the other hand, this serious connection with a narrow athletic identity, especially if focusing on one singular sport, can cause unhealthy attachments to performance results, leading to mental or physical burnout."
"Competitions between users are encouraged through these applications, which builds motivation, but also increases risk-taking behaviors and decreases the wholesome enjoyment of leisurely exercise. This leads to an atmosphere of incessant comparison that can affect the psychological stress and longevity of athletes."
"The rush to implement data analysis shortly after wearables were introduced to the team places extra stress on coaches whose decisions already carry massive weight. Many want to wait for data to accumulate before making any dramatic changes to their coaching strategies, but because wearables are a significant investment, there is a strong expectation to see immediate results."
When Should You Introduce Data?
Kevin Cronin
"I think it is the maturity level of the athlete. I think the big issue you run into when pushing technology on too early in their career is burnout. They get super excited and keep hitting these long and impressive workouts, but they eventually become burnt out and are just over with the sport."
Joanne Firesteel Reid
"I think when you start quitting other things and focus on the sport at hand. But if what you are doing is more casual, fun, and you have other things going on and not prioritizing it, you also don’t need to obsess over it."
Aidan Tooker
"It’s tough because it’s a tool, so it can be abused or used as something for you. I think it comes down to the relationship you have with the sport, and how in-tune you are with your body. Also different personalities interact with the tech differently, you can be high strung or relaxed about it. I think once you want to start cleaning up specific stuff, then introduce it."