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Research on the influence of augmented feedback effects on both skill learning and performance has been examined from two differing positions, generally reflective of two core movement science disciplines: motor learning and biomechanics. The motor learning approach has been to examine the content and timing of feedback under tightly controlled laboratory settings, with a focus on simple tasks and the influence of movement outcome feedback. At the other end of the spectrum are biomechanical approaches, which have been primarily devoted to demonstrating the capacity of measurement technology to quantify and report on movement pattern effectiveness. This review highlights the gap left by these two approaches and argues that advancement of our understanding of feedback application in practical settings requires a shift towards a multi-disciplinary focus. A particular focus of the review is on how researchers and practitioners need to harness our understanding and subsequent application of the emergent feedback technologies most prevalent in elite sport settings and clinical sports medicine. We highlight important considerations for future applied multidisciplinary research driven by relevant theory and methodological design to more comprehensively capture how feedback systems can be used to facilitate the development of skilled performance.

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Thin piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride fibers containing a high piezoelectric b-phase content of up to 80% were developed in this work using a melt-spinning process. After crystallization from the melt, the fibers were subsequently stretched unidirectionally at 120 C between 25 and 75% of their original length. The effects on the molecular orientation, polymorphism and tensile properties of the fibers were investigated. Polarized infra-red spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction results show that the conversion of a-phase to b-phase occurred during the stretching process as a result of molecular alignment and creation of a dipole induced by the CF 2 groups normal to the fiber direction. These fibers were then integrated into various weave architectures in order to design flexible two-dimensional textile-based piezoelectric force sensors. The piezoelectric responsiveness of these materials, tested under impact (70 Newton force, 1 Hz frequency) was very promising, with a maximum output voltage of up to 6 V and an average sensitivity of up to 55 mV/N measured.

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Electronic components formed from electrically conductive textiles require a clear characterization of properties, such as electrical resistance, to enable the design and manufacture of safe and reliable electronic textile devices. The low dimensional stability of some electroactive fabrics can present challenges to electronic characterization. In this study, an electrical resistor was formed within a fabric by sewing a highly conductive metallic coated thread into less conductive fabric. A knitted fabric treated with polypyrrole was used to explore the effect of stitch parameters on the quality of the intra-fabric connection. A 1.5—2 mm straight stitch was identified as a reliable method for intra-fabric connection. A range of fabrics with different structures was sewn in this way and the electrical resistance characterization was compared with two other methods. The interaction of materials and processing for electronic textile characterization, component design, and manufacture is discussed.

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