Enhancing physical activity safety in older adults with chronic comorbidities using wearable devices: Benefits, challenges, and clinical implications

Abstract This review examines the benefits, challenges, and clinical implications of wearable devices in enhancing the safety of physical activity among older adults with chronic comorbidities. A thorough analysis of existing literature evaluates these devices’ potential to improve the safety and effectiveness of care in this population. The findings indicate that wearable devices provide substantial advantages, such as real-time vital sign monitoring, personalized exercise recommendations, improved communication with health care providers, and increased motivation for ongoing physical activity. Nonetheless, several challenges must be addressed for effective implementation, including technological limitations, usability for older adults, data privacy concerns, cost-effectiveness, and user compliance. Wearable devices hold the potential to significantly enhance physical activity safety, quality of life, and health outcomes for older adults with chronic comorbidities through the facilitation of personalized and proactive care provision. To maximize these benefits, future research should focus on developing standardized data reporting protocols, improving sensor accuracy and data validation methods, enhancing data security and interoperability, and fostering collaboration among technology developers, health care providers, and policymakers.