Osteopath claims fitness trackers vital in reducing health risks

[dricia]

DO you live in fear of becoming obese, developing diabetes, heart disease or cancer? Or maybe you currently have back and hip pain or suffer anxiety and depression.

Bondi osteopath Chris Jones said you could be one of the many people putting yourself at risk by living a dangerous sedentary lifestyle, adding: “sitting is the new smoking”.

But Mr Jones said it’s not all bad news, with fresh research showing something as simple as a $299 fitness tracker could greatly reduce these negative health risks.

A 2017 study revealed pedometers with digital displays helped inactive individuals to increase their movement by 2500 steps per day, which is something the osteopath has found with his own clients.

“We noticed people pay attention to data and are more motivated to be active. Fitness trackers help my clients hit their goal of 5,000 or 10,000 steps per day,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

The health professional said while the ergonomics of how people set up their chair and work environment can help reduce the negative risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle, it still doesn’t provide the same benefits as getting up and moving around.

“The latest fitness trackers give notifications which encourage people to get up and move from their desk — something people should be doing around every 20 minutes,” he said.

“No person should sit down for eight hours and devices like the Fitbit help keep people more accountable than if we just sat them down and gave them a daily exercise plan.”

Mr Jones said it’s good to see a shift in the technology and design of these devices in recent times, which helps encourage more people to embrace wearable technology.

“People can buy something that is stylish and lightweight, with a number of additional functions for more than simply just counting steps,” he said.

“Those who have ongoing problems and need extra motivation to get up and move have never had an easier solution.”

Having worked on the medical staff of the Australian Athletics Team and in fitness training with Tennis NSW, Mr Jones said the potential benefits of devices like Fitbit extends far past those needing the extra motivation to get up and move.

“People can use the device to capture other info if they don’t need to be told to get 10,000 steps. It can monitor the quality of sleep, the heartrate during exercise and even the pace someone is exercising. There’s something for even the most advanced athlete,” he said.