Intelligent Wearable Systems: Opportunities and Challenges in Health and Sports

Wearable devices or wearables, designed to be attached to the human body, can gather personalized real-time data and continuously monitor an individual’s health status and physiological disposition in a non-invasive manner. Intelligent wearables integrate advanced machine learning (ML) algorithms to process complex data patterns and provide accurate insights. As a result, intelligent wearables have emerged as a groundbreaking innovation in the fields of sports and health, introducing a new paradigm in kinematic analysis and patient data evaluation. For example, virtual coaches offer feedback on athletes’ performance, while virtual physicians assist in customizing medication for patients. This article provides an overview of various types of intelligent wearables and their applications in health and sports, categorizes ML algorithms, and introduces the wireless body area sensor network (WBASN) used for communication in wearable sensors. Additionally, we discuss potential challenges and development directions that could shape the future of intelligent wearables and propose effective solutions for their continued enhancement. This article offers valuable insights into the exciting potential of intelligent wearables to transform healthcare and sports.