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Runners rely on smartwatches as race day dawns
Frosty breath hangs in the air as competitors shuffle on the starting line of a local 5 km parkrun. Most are fiddling with their smartwatches, waiting for GPS signals to lock before the race begins.
A tut from behind signals impatience-no one moves until their device is ready. Once the countdown ends, the crowd surges forward, wrists glowing with data.
A multi-billion-pound industry on the wrist
From Apple Watches to Garmin, Fitbit to Huawei, smartwatches have become ubiquitous. Prices range from £100 to thousands, catering to casual joggers and elite athletes alike. Yet opinions on their value vary widely.
Some users describe their devices as supportive companions; others call them intrusive. One runner jokes about his watch scolding him for a poor night's sleep. Another admits to obsession, checking metrics constantly.
Tracking beyond steps: health or hypervigilance?
Modern smartwatches monitor far more than distance. Sleep patterns, blood pressure, heart rate variability, oxygen levels, and even glucose are now standard features. But experts question whether this data improves well-being or fuels anxiety.
Rachael Fairclough, a mother from St Helens, loves her Apple Watch for running but finds its other functions overwhelming. During pregnancy, it urged her to be more productive. Now, it reminds her of sleepless nights with her six-month-old-hardly necessary.
"I've got a love-hate relationship with it. I love the fitness insights, but I wonder if all these extra features are too much."
Rachael Fairclough, smartwatch user
Medical potential vs. psychological pitfalls
Niels Peek, a data science professor at the University of Manchester, warns of a delicate balance. While wearables can detect early signs of disease, they may also create a class of "worried well"-healthy individuals fixated on minor fluctuations.
Some devices now perform electrocardiograms (ECGs), flagging atrial fibrillation (AF), a condition linked to stroke risk. Yet interpreting these alerts is complex. Lindsey Rosman, a clinical psychologist, found that 20% of cardiovascular patients given wearables experienced heightened anxiety, leading to increased healthcare visits.
"If we see stats we don't understand, we check repeatedly. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy."
Prof. Lindsey Rosman, clinical psychologist
Accuracy under scrutiny
Dr. Kelly Bowden-Davies of Manchester Metropolitan University notes that smartwatches provide useful baselines but lack medical-grade precision. GPS glitches, wrist movement, and unregulated sensors can skew results.
"They won't give you lab-quality data, but they help track personal progress."
Dr. Kelly Bowden-Davies, sports scientist
For many, the appeal lies in self-comparison rather than absolute accuracy. Yet social features-like competing with friends-add another layer of pressure.
Finishing the race, scrutinizing the data
The author crosses the parkrun finish line in 22:28, short of a personal best but satisfied with a strong sprint. The first order of business? Reviewing the watch's post-race analytics.
Mark Morton, a Cheshire vet, offers a healthier perspective. His Whoop tracker shifted his sleep habits, cutting late-night alcohol and improving his mornings. "It's not making me an Olympian," he says, "but it's made me think about my health."
As smartwatches evolve, the debate continues: Are they empowering tools or sources of unnecessary stress?
