113 Digital Fitness

Introduction

Digital fitness technology, the use of digital technologies and platforms to enhance and support physical fitness and overall health, has become increasingly popular in recent years. These technologies have the potential to impact and be impacted by society in various ways. This paper aims to explore the ways in which digital fitness technology has evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic, its implications for socioeconomic status and use, and the role of science in shaping its future development.

Connection to STS

Digital fitness is deeply connected to science and technology in society through the integration of innovative tools, data analytics, personalized approaches, and the social aspects of connectivity. It allows people to track their health and fitness and ensure they are maintaining the lifestyle that is healthiest for them. This untimely affects society because it allows people to remain the best version of themselves physically. It also leads to social interactions as some fitness apps allow people to have competitions with friends and family to compare different fitness journeys. As technology continues to advance, the relationship between digital fitness and scientific understanding will likely evolve, influencing how individuals approach and achieve their fitness goals.

Evolution of digital fitness

The concept of digital fitness has evolved over time, and it’s challenging to pinpoint a specific moment as the beginning of digital fitness. However, we can trace the roots of digital fitness back to the development of technologies that facilitated the integration of digital elements into the realm of fitness and health. Here are some key milestones:

1. 1980s-1990s: The use of digital technologies in fitness started with the introduction of electronic fitness equipment. Treadmills, exercise bikes, and other machines began incorporating digital displays to track metrics like time, distance, and calories burned.
2. 2000s: The advent of smartphones and mobile apps marked a significant turning point in digital fitness. Fitness apps started to gain popularity, allowing users to track their workouts, set goals, and access workout routines from their mobile devices.
3. 2010s: Wearable fitness trackers, such as Fitbit and other similar devices, became widely adopted. These devices allowed users to monitor their daily activity levels, heart rate, and sleep patterns, providing a more comprehensive view of their overall health.
4. Virtual and Augmented Reality: Recently, technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) have been integrated into fitness experiences. VR workouts and AR-enhanced apps offer immersive and engaging fitness environments.

While there isn’t a single “first” instance of digital fitness, these developments represent a gradual integration of digital technologies into the fitness landscape over the past several decades. The digital fitness industry continues to evolve with ongoing advancements in technology, making it an exciting and dynamic field.

Types of digital fitness

Digital fitness has taken various forms to cater to the evolving needs of individuals seeking to enhance their physical well-being. Fitness apps, accessible on mobile devices, offer a range of features from personalized workout routines to nutrition tracking, exemplified by platforms like MyFitnessPal and Nike Training Club. Wearable fitness trackers, including popular devices like Fitbit and Apple Watch, provide real-time data on activities, heart rate, and sleep patterns, syncing seamlessly with accompanying apps. Virtual personal trainers, through video guides and online fitness classes on platforms such as Zoom or YouTube, enable users to engage in guided workouts conveniently from their homes. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies transform fitness experiences, offering immersive and interactive workouts. Smart equipment with digital interfaces, health and wellness platforms integrating mental health support, and social fitness networks that foster a sense of community are becoming integral components of the digital fitness landscape. Artificial intelligence contributes to the scene with AI-powered coaching, delivering personalized insights and recommendations based on individual health data. As technology advances, integrating these digital tools offers diverse and accessible options for individuals striving to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Why Is digital fitness important?

Digital fitness is crucial in modern health and wellness for several reasons. Firstly, it offers accessibility and convenience, allowing individuals to engage in fitness activities from the comfort of their homes or wherever they are. Fitness apps, wearables, and online platforms provide real-time data, tracking progress and motivating users. Personalization is another key aspect, as digital tools can tailor workouts and recommendations based on individual health data. Additionally, the social and community elements incorporated into many digital fitness platforms contribute to a sense of accountability and support. Integrating technology also enables a more holistic approach to health, incorporating mental well-being and nutrition.

Digital fitness through COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly reshaped the fitness landscape by accelerating the adoption of digital solutions. With lockdowns and gym closures, there was a widespread surge in demand for home-based workout alternatives. Fitness apps, virtual training platforms, and online classes experienced a significant uptick in users as people sought accessible and convenient ways to stay active. This period underscored the importance of health and wellness, prompting a shift in fitness trends towards home workouts, outdoor activities, and virtual challenges. Fitness apps and wearables surged, providing individuals with tools to monitor and maintain their well-being. Additionally, the pandemic led to an increased emphasis on mental health and stress management within digital fitness platforms. The rise of virtual and augmented reality fitness technologies offered novel, immersive experiences, and the global connectivity facilitated by digital fitness created a sense of community among individuals worldwide. This evolution has allowed individuals to continue their fitness routines from the comfort of their homes, ensuring the continuity of their physical well-being during the pandemic.

digital fitness in socioeconomic groups

The use of digital fitness technology is not evenly distributed across socioeconomic groups. Research has shown that individuals with higher socioeconomic status are more likely to use these technologies (Bort-Roig et al., 2014). This disparity can be attributed to factors such as cost, access to technology, and digital literacy. Those with lower socioeconomic status may face barriers in accessing and utilizing digital fitness technology, which can further exacerbate existing health inequalities.

Science affects digital technology.

Science plays a crucial role in shaping the future development of digital fitness technology. Research studies have explored the effectiveness of wearable devices and smartphone applications in promoting physical activity and behavior change (Patel et al., 2015). These studies provide valuable insights into the design and implementation of future technologies. Additionally, user experiences and feedback have been instrumental in improving the usability and functionality of digital fitness technology (Maher et al., 2017). Ongoing scientific research will continue to inform the development of more accurate and user-friendly digital fitness solutions.

Conclusion

Digital fitness technology has significantly impacted society, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its evolution has allowed individuals to maintain their physical activity levels and well-being in the face of restrictions and closures. However, digital fitness technology is not equally accessible to all socioeconomic groups, highlighting the need to address barriers and promote inclusivity. Science plays a crucial role in shaping the future development of digital fitness technology, ensuring its effectiveness and usability. Continued research and innovation in this field will contribute to advancing digital fitness technology and its potential to improve public health.

Ai Use disclosure

I used scite.ai and ChatGPT to help me find information about digital fitness and its effect on society that fits the goals of this chapter of the textbook. It gave me sources that explained the different types of digital fitness, why digital fitness is important, how it was affected during COVID-19, and how it is impacted globally. I then used the other sources I had gathered to apply other elements to the chapter.

scite.ai. (2023). scite.ai (beta version) [Large Language Model]. https://scite.ai/assistant

OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com

resources

Bort-Roig, J., Gilson, N. D., Puig-Ribera, A., Contreras, R. S., & Trost, S. G. (2014). Measuring and influencing physical activity with smartphone technology: A systematic review. Sports Medicine, 44(5), 671-686.

Lupton, D. (2014). Quantifying the body: Monitoring and measuring health in the age of mHealth technologies. Critical Public Health, 24(4), 393-403.

Maher, C., Ryan, J., Ambrosi, C., & Edney, S. (2017). Users’ experiences of wearable activity trackers: A cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 17(1), 880.

Patel, M. S., Asch, D. A., & Volpp, K. G. (2015). Wearable devices as facilitators, not drivers, of health behavior change. JAMA, 313(5), 459-460.

Rooksby, J., Rost, M., Morrison, A., & Chalmers, M. (2014). Personal tracking as lived informatics. In Proceedings of the 32nd annual ACM conference on Human factors in computing systems (pp. 1163-1172).