health app - activity section - how does it work?

Question

health app - activity section - how does it work?

I use a wheelchair and see in the health app on my iPhone XR day there’s a section with wheelchair in the. List. As I can’t walk & definitely cannot run, I thought I’d ask how it works? I can’t see how to switch it on to record a journey & thought it would track by GPS but it doesn’t. Can anyone help? I also see there’s a swim button but I’m not going to take my nice shiny iPhone in the pool so how on earth does that part work??!! Thanks

iPhone XR

Posted on Aug 3, 2019 2:05 AM

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Answer 1

LD150

Level 10

101,826 points

Aug 3, 2019 3:39 AM in response to Jane Elizabeth Smith

The health app has a limited function based on the accelerometers and orientation sensors, and uses these, for example, to detect (or rather infer) stair climbing versus walking. I imagine wheelchair activity is similar but obviously holding it on your lap will detect very little indicative movement.

There are better free apps that do use gps like Strava or Wahoo fitness, and watches like Apple or Polar that can measure movement and heart rate. They often have wheelchairs as a “sport “. Their data can then automatically upload to Fitness.

Further reading of the app suggests use of Apple Watch may enhance the wheelchair “workout” measurement.

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Answer 2

LD150

Level 10

101,826 points

Aug 5, 2019 1:53 AM in response to Jane Elizabeth Smith

Download the free Strava app I suggested. It uses your phones GPS to record your route outdoors to within a couple of yards.

Strava: Run & Ride Training by Strava, Inc.

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/strava-run-ride-training/id426826309

You can also use apps like Whatsapp to share your location with friends in real time.

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Answer 3

LD150

Level 10

101,826 points

Aug 3, 2019 5:05 AM in response to Alancito

Yep - that confirms you need the Apple watch!

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Answer 4

Aug 4, 2019 3:18 PM in response to Jane Elizabeth Smith

Thank you so much for your helpful informative reply Peter. It was much appreciative; however, with two Mac computers an iPad and a new iPhone, my finances cannot stretch to an Apple Watch too!! plus I don't need one with all that lot! I was hoping there'd be something to track my distance travelled in my ELECTRIC wheelchair though probably via GPS tracking or something, but so far, haven't found anything. I'll just have to hope I can somehow get a new one of those fairly soon with a joystick command module that includes a trip meter. There's always hope. Thanks again.

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Answer 5

Alancito

Level 7

30,114 points

Aug 3, 2019 3:57 AM in response to Jane Elizabeth Smith

Jane ~

The story behind Apple's wheelchair Activity app

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health app - activity section - how does it work?

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