Textile-Based Wearable Sensors for Assisting Sports Performance

Abstract

-There is a need for wearable sensors to assess physiological signals and body kinematics during exercise. Such sensors need to be straightforward to use, and ideally the complete system integrated fully within a garment. This would allow wearers to monitor their progress as they undergo an exercise training programme without the need to attach external devices. This takes physiological monitoring into a more natural setting. By developing textile sensors the intelligence is integrated into a sports garment in an innocuous manner. A number of textile based sensors are presented here that have been integrated into garments for various sports applications.

Breathing Feedback System with Wearable Textile Sensors

“…The textile-based sensor was developed using a piezoresisistive material specifically created to detect body movements [9]. This carbon-loaded elastomer (CE) (WACKER Elastosil l LR 3162 A/B) had previously been used to measure body kinematics by the researchers at the University of Pisa [6].…”

Latest developments in the field of textile antennas

“…Such a kind of wireless communication takes place between the human body and the surrounding environment and is also referred to as body-centric communication. In parallel with textile antennas, this has become a very popular field of research over the last decade [1], with crucial importance for plenty of applications, ranging from monitoring of vital signs of patients to coordination and monitoring of rescue workers [2], but also in the entertainment sector [3] and in sports [4].…”

VISUALIZATION IN SPORTING CONTEXTS - The Team Scenario

“…Another system, called wearable sensors (Coyle et al, 2009) (Carpi and DeRossi, 2005) for monitoring sports and training performance operates by measuring and analyzing sweat pH and sodium levels during exercise. Sweat composition can change during exercise as a result of dehydration.…”