Smart Textiles for Personalized Sports and Healthcare

Advances in wearable electronics and information technology drive sports data collection and analysis toward real-time visualization and precision. The growing pursuit of athleticism and healthy life makes it appealing for individuals to track their real-time health and exercise data seamlessly. While numerous devices enable sports and health monitoring, maintaining comfort over long periods remains a considerable challenge, especially in high-intensity and sweaty sports scenarios. Textiles, with their breathability, deformability, and moisture-wicking abilities, ensure exceptional comfort during prolonged wear, making them ideal for wearable platforms. This review summarized the progress of research on textile-based sports monitoring devices. First, the design principles and fabrication methods of smart textiles were introduced systematically. Textiles undergo a distinctive fiber-yarn-fabric or fiber-fabric manufacturing process that allows for the regulation of performance and the integration of functional elements at every step. Then, the performance requirements for precise sports data collection of smart textiles, including main vital signs, joint movement, and data transmission, were discussed. Lastly, the applications of smart textiles in various sports scenarios are demonstrated. Additionally, the review provides an in-depth analysis of the emerging challenges, strategies, and opportunities for the research and development of sports-oriented smart textiles. Smart textiles not only maintain comfort and accuracy in sports, but also serve as inexpensive and efficient information-gathering terminals. Therefore, developing multifunctional, cost-effective textile-based systems for personalized sports and healthcare is a pressing need for the future of intelligent sports.