Key takeaways:
- Wearable devices may allow athletes to improve their training and know when they are at risk for injury.
- Wearable devices have also become more cost-effective, allowing amateur athletes to use them as well.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Wearable technologies may prevent injuries and improve athletes’ recovery and on-field performance, according to a presenter at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting.
“The way we take care of athletes has continued to evolve,” James E. Voos, MD, Jack and Mary Herrick distinguished chair in orthopedics and sports medicine at University Hospitals, head team physician for the Cleveland Browns and president of the National Football League Physicians Society, told Healio. “We used to just react to injury and then do our rehabilitation and recovery afterwards. Now, we realize the importance of getting out ahead of injury and attempting to prevent injury in the first place.”
Data were derived from Voos JE, et al. Future of wearable tech. Presented at: American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting; July 10-12, 2025; Nashville, Tenn.
According to Voos, wearable technology allows athletes to learn more about themselves. He said these devices help athletes improve their training and know when they are at risk for injury.
In addition, he said recovery and safety are major benefits associated with the use of wearable technologies.
James E. Voos
“You can imagine being at a marathon or a soccer tournament, and if everyone participating had a wearable monitor that measured their core body temperature, their heart rate and how hydrated they are — all of which exist right now — you could pick up if an athlete was getting ready to cramp or overheat or develop an abnormal heart rate,” Voos said. “Being able to identify that athlete and intervene ahead of time could literally be lifesaving.”
Voos said wearable technologies have also become more cost-effective, which has allowed college and amateur athletes to use them as well.
“This is not just a device that can be used at the pro level,” Voos said. “These are now devices that we can get for every athlete, and that is where it makes a big impact on sports overall.”
In the future, Voos said he expects the emergence of real-time data to improve athletes’ on-field performance and injury prevention.
“Our wearable devices and their ability to measure internal physiologic measurements, core body temperature and oxygen utilization have the ability to impact the lives of athletes,” Voos said. “It is nice when you are riding the wave of these technological evolutions to have an opportunity to be a part of it.”
He added, “I encourage physicians to get involved with the research and development of a lot of these startup companies. There are a lot of different ways you can get involved with the use of wearable technology.”
For more information:
James E. Voos, MD, wishes to be reached through Macie Jepson at [email protected].
Sources/Disclosures
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Voos JE, et al. Future of wearable tech. Presented at: American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting; July 10-12, 2025; Nashville, Tenn.
Disclosures:
Voos reports being on the medical advisory board for UGen Health.
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