Journal de recherche et de développement en éducation à la santé

Socio-Economic Impact of Wearable Accessories in Fitness and Wellness : An Exploratory Study in Ghana

Abstract

Eleanor Afful*, James Ami-Narh, John Bosco Damnyang and Godfred Yaw Koi- Akrofi

Wearable technology, the era of human-computer interaction, is the blend of technology result in connectivity and mobility of the users with regular accessories, which makes the user’s life easier. Having faster access to information and communicate with other things such as smartphones allow the wearer to use data generated from the wearable system by saving cost, effort and time in various aspects of the users life.
The purpose of the wearable device incorporated into the body is to help manage and filter valuable information generated, portable and more convenient with
much intimacy to our daily lives in fitness and healthcare. As the computer moves from desktop through coat pocket to the human body, provides new ways of easy access to valuable information regarding the wearer and the environment.
To provide organizations seeking to innovate in the business perspective a competitive advantage in products and services delivery, wearable accessories in the consumer market plays a significant role in various fields with its related socio-economic impact to the wearers and the wearable system.
Health activities such as measuring of heart rate, blood pressure, calories burned monitored when accessories worn on the bod, offering tremendous help to the aged with health-related issues to cut cost through remote patient monitoring system.
Organizations seeking to innovate in the business, wearable accessories in the consumer market plays a significant role in various fields with its related socio-
economic impact to the wearers and the wearable system, a competitive advantage in products and services delivery.
Wearable technology has much influence in military technology, transportation, Global Positioning Systems, education, finance, gaming, fitness, disabilities, aging, entertainment and healthcare systems.
The paper first aims to elicit insights about wearable accessories by exploring the evolution of wearable technology. Second, the application of the wearable technology in various sectors of the economy, especially in the healthcare sector. Finally, this paper discusses the social impact and barriers of the adoption of wearable accessories. A content analysis of related literature was the approach adopted to show the findings.