CheckMag | Smart fabrics: Improving athletic performance, one drop of sweat at a time

This piece of smart clothing comes equipped with multiple sensors (Image source: Textile school)

Smart fabrics come in many shapes and sizes. Some pieces of smart clothing are impregnated with various sensors for performance tracking and comfort control; other options never get sweaty or have other unique superpowers. This little article focuses on smart clothing made for women.

Nafisa Nazneen Choudhury, Published 11/14/2024 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 ...

Smart fabrics are shaking up the world of women's athletic wear, and it's about time! Imagine putting on a workout outfit that not only looks great but also monitors your heart rate, tracks your performance, and even adjusts to the weather. Sounds futuristic, right? Well, it's happening now with the rise of e-textiles — fabrics with sensors and conductive threads built in that make it all possible.

One of the best things about smart fabrics is their ability to help you keep tabs on your body while you exercise without the need to wear a dedicated tracking device. Brands like Athos have created clothing that uses EMG sensors to track muscle activity and breathing patterns. This means you can get real-time data to optimize your workouts and avoid injuries.

Nike's Pro Hypercool collection takes it a step further by using a moisture-wicking technology that adapts to your movements, allowing you to stay comfortable without sacrificing style.

Moisture-wicking tops are really hard to get wet (Image source: Nike)

Temperature regulation is another cool feature. Some smart fabrics can cool you down or warm you up based on external conditions. Wouldn't a jacket that is warm when it's cold outside but cools down when you're sweating during a summer run be a cool thing to own? For example, thermochromic fabrics change color based on temperature, providing visual cues about body heat levels.

Temperature sensitive fabric (Image source: Tech xplore)

By 2030, the global smart textiles market is anticipated to be worth $21.85 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31.3%. This growth is expected to be driven by increasing consumer demand for high-performance, technologically advanced clothing. As more women embrace active lifestyle, smart fabrics in athletic clothing will be increasingly tapped to optimize workouts and elevate performance.