Advancements in functional smart and wearable textiles for sportswear applications

Abstract

Growing demand for smart textiles and wearable technologies, in the sports sector, for enhancing performance as well as comfort, motivated researchers to go further in the past decade. Recent advancements and integration of these technologies in sports have boosted athletic performance and comfort, which are explored in this study. Sports textiles have evolved rapidly, commencing with the usage of natural fibers, which then progressed with the introduction of synthetic materials and smart technologies. These remarkable improvements have led to major developments in thermoregulation, moisture management, and overall comfort of sportswear. In addition, the combination of sensors and electronic circuits built into textile materials also enables the real-time measurement of physiological parameters, including ones such as heart rate, body temperature, and muscle effort. Our investigation illustrates the importance of smart textiles, nanotextiles, and wearable electronics in performance enhancement, particularly in competitive sports, where high-tech textiles are increasingly used to gain a competitive edge. This study concludes with the discussion of the challenges facing smart textiles at the development and application phase, such as durability, washability, energy source, and sustainability, while identifying potential prospects for future research and development.