Can smartphone apps and pedometers take the place of good old fashioned heart rate monitors and gym memberships? If we give ourselves and our employees a way to measure their exercise and fitness outside of traditional gyms and workout classes can they still stay healthy? Wearable tech is changing the way employers and employees approach health and wellness. A new study from the Vitality Group reveals that when wearable tech is incorporated into a broader employee health and wellness program there is a measurable change in behavior. Health risks such as high BMI and high cholesterol are mitigated when wearable tech and health and wellness programs are combined. Here are a few other useful stats from the Vitality Group's study:
- More women use pedometers and smart phone apps, while heart rate monitors are more popular among men.
- Previously inactive employees reduced health risk factors by 13%, while previously fit employees reduced their risk factors by 22%.
- Employee health and wellness incentive programs around measurable goals like a certain number of steps made it more likely for employees to reach goals.
