WHAT IT MEANS

he adoption of fitnessrelated wearable technology devices is set to surge this year, boosted by a decision by medical aid companies to subsidise their purchase to encourage a healthier lifestyle.

Wearable devices are electronic items usually worn on the user’s wrist. But they can include automatic cameras that can be clipped onto a shirt pocket, glasses and other fitness-related devices. Wearables come with related mobile phone applications.

The five main wearable categories are smart wristbands, sports watches, other fitness monitors, heart rate monitor chest straps and smart garments, according to Gartner.

Sports watches and chest straps are well established, and smart wristbands became popular in 2011.

“Fitness wearables are used for tracking health, which goes hand-in-hand with fitness and wellness,” says Angela McIntyre, research director at Gartner.

Wearable technology is driving “new approaches in proactive health-care patient monitoring, support and ultimately, treatment,” Gartner says.

Craig Nossel, head of medical