Fitness Trackers Get Only One Metric Right, Suggests a Sports Medicine Doctor
A Cleveland Clinic expert reveals science’s uncertainties that extensive research has uncovered on the fitness tracker craze
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Don’t come for us—we know it’s a sacred companion to many. But as the uptick in wellness wearables continues, with healthcare industry news site HealthcareDive saying nearly 60% of Americans owned one, as of June 2026—a Cleveland Clinic doctor’s insight might give the remaining 40% of us some assurance not to feel too much FOMO
In 2025, a team of biochemists at Notre Dame University reported that the materials in many wearables contain “very high concentrations” of PFAS. That conversation quieted quickly. But even apart from the “dermal absorption” of synthetic chemicals those scientists warned of, there’s not a ton of research emphasizing the accuracy of these electronics compared to their popularity
Michael Dakkak, DO, MBA, CAQSM, is a Cleveland Clinic primary care exercise and sports medicine physician with a focus in orthopedics. He has also served as a medical consultant with the NFL and been involved with multiple professional sports teams. When it comes to wellness and performance optimization via the wisdom of fitness trackers, “There’s really a lot more data that needs to be had with these devices,” Dr. Dakkak says. He adds, “There’s really a lot more that we don’t know.”
What science says the trackers get right…and wrong
As the scale of research grows, a few things are becoming more clear. “We have over 249 studies that are done with over 400,000 participants,” Dr. Dakkak explains. “And only 11% of devices that are commercially available have been validated for just one single metric.”
That one single metric that’s been validated as accurate? Step count
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Clinic says, other fitness tracker figures—such as calorie burned, stress levels, and sleep quality—”are considered much less accurate.”
That’s not to say they’re not valuable. As long as your wearable isn’t inspiring you to go to extremes with food restriction and how much exercise you do, for most Americans, anything that motivates you to get moving, mind your diet, and be disciplined about your sleep schedule is worthwhile
But this may help quell your questions if back-to-school shopping in the electronics department suddenly attracts you to the display of tracker rings for hundreds of dollars. For nearly the same proven insight, a pedometer for under $20 could potentially do the trick
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