His heart-rate monitor detected abnormalities that were significant enough for his coach and the school nurse to send him to hospital for tests.

The watch had provided an early diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis, so treatment could begin immediately.

Without this early diagnosis, his body would have shut down and he may never have recovered the use of his muscles.

Stories such as this have been hitting the headlines as more people turn to FitBits, Garmins and other forms of wearable technology - but it is not just heart rates or steps that can be counted this way.

Insurers across the globe are starting to investigate whether wearable technology can be used to help monitor improvements in individuals’ fitness, much in the same way that telematics has helped to change the motor insurance industry.

Using wearable technology data in the protection industry has been given the working title of ‘pay as you live’ (PAYL) insurance.

Proponents of PAYL insurance believe technology can not only be used to help with engagement between the client, adviser and provider but also has the potential to reduce premiums for individuals whose lifestyle can be seen to have changed for the better.

This guide explores the ways in which wearable technology can be, and is being, used by providers for data gathering; the potential for the individual protection market; the difficulties in promoting this approach to underwriting within the group market; which companies stand to benefit from disruptive technologies; and how this technology can be used by advisers to broach the often tricky question of protection with clients.

Supporting material for this guide was provided by: Paul Avis, marketing director for Canada Life Group Insurance; Tom Davis, head of research and development at Vitality; Neil McCarthy, sales and marketing director for Lifequote; Keith Aylwin, director in EY’s insurance practice; Peter Le Beau, managing director of Le Beau Visage; and additional information came from Aviva and CapGemini.