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This paper presents the results of a series of experiments aiming at the optimisation of vital sign monitoring using textile electrodes to be used in a swimsuit. The swimsuit will integrate sensors for the measurement of several physiological and biomechanical signals; this paper will focus on ECG and respiratory movement analysis. The data obtained is mainly intended to provide tools for evaluation of high-performance swimmers, although applications can be derived for leisure sports and other situations.A comparison between electrodes based on different materials and structures, behaviour in dry and wet environments, as well as the behaviour in different extension states, will be presented.The influence of movement on the signal quality, both by the muscular electrical signals as well as by the displacement of the electrodes, will be discussed. The final objective is the integration of the electrodes in the swimsuit by knitting them directly in the suit's fabric in a seamless knitting machine.

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This paper addresses the difficulties faced by postgraduate Design students (DS) and professional designers (PD) concerning the design, development and implementation of business projects (BP), and of sustainable management (SM). The DS have not previously attended any specific course, either dealing with BP, or having had training in SM. A test administered to 60 DS enabled to picture issues regarding: (i) the sense of discomfort regarding business and management areas, due to lack of skills, and (ii) the special requirements for skills in unfamiliar areas such as production, management, marketing and product stewardship. The study determined that DS perceive the need for educative policies that allow the acquisition of new skills in the referred areas. However, it seems that they are not sensitive to BP/SM scientific' research importance. Findings point out a direction to curriculum development to bridge Design and Business areas, by overcoming the identified gap.

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