AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
Fitness bands and smartwatches can flag an irregular heartbeat or a poor night’s sleep, but they can’t say why or decide what to do about it.
Residents who spoke to Aletihad say these devices are a big help as a prompt, but the real work of getting healthier is still human after all.
Swimmer Adnan Al Ajmi, 28, wears a smartwatch to track his performance in the water, from lap count to distance and heart rate. He would know when to take a plunge outside of training sessions as he strives to meet daily targets.
One notification in particular caught his attention. “My heart rate stayed abnormally high for longer than normal after one workout,” Al Ajmi said. The watch couldn’t identify the cause, but advised him to get it checked.
“When I went to the doctor, it was discovered that I was seriously dehydrated,” he said.
For Al Ajmi, this one instance showed both what wearables can do — and what they can’t. “It’s a useful reference, but it shouldn’t take the place of medical professionals or common sense.”
Talal Obaid, a 27-year-old bodybuilder and fitness enthusiast, bought his smartwatch to optimise his workouts and protect his gains. “I wanted a tool that could tell me how well my body was recovering after intense sessions.”
The insights changed his routine, he said. Obaid began adjusting his exercises based on sleep and recovery data rather than relying on instinct alone.
The payoff went beyond better sleep and more effective workouts. “It has made me more disciplined,” Obaid said.
“I still pay attention to my body, but the data is helpful. The watch does not make decisions for me; it serves as a guide.”
Aryam Mohammed, 24, approaches wearable technology from a wellness angle rather than an athletic one. Her main goals were keeping a balanced daily schedule and improving her sleep.
“Even though I slept for several hours, I frequently felt exhausted,” she said. “The smartwatch helped me realise it wasn’t just the quantity of hours I slept, it was also the quality.”
Since then, Aryam has made changes: going to bed earlier, cutting screen time before sleep, and staying active through regular exercise and walking.
“It has definitely motivated me to take better care of myself,” she said. “At the same time, because wellbeing is about more than data, I try not to judge my entire day based on numbers alone.”
Data from smart wristbands could soon serve health objectives wider than personal goals. In May this year, for example, it was announced that Abu Dhabi-based sovereign investor Mubadala Investment Company has partnered with wearable fitness tech firm WHOOP to advance proactive health, performance science, and preventative healthcare innovation in the UAE.
Anchored by a $75 million investment from Mubadala, the partnership includes a research initiative that will yield longitudinal studies in cardiovascular health, sleep science, recovery, and behavioural performance. This is expected to support breakthrough discoveries in performance science within the UAE and reinforce the country’s growing leadership in health, longevity, and preventative care.