Progress and applications of wearable technology in aquatic sports: a review

Abstract

This review examines the progress and applications of wearable technology in aquatic sports, focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities presented by water-based environments. This review explores how sensor technologies – such as inertial measurement units, heart rate monitors, and GPS devices – have been adapted specifically for underwater applications in aquatic sports including swimming, diving, water polo, and rowing. We also detail specialized data analysis techniques that transform sensor data into actionable performance metrics, facilitating integration with analytical tools and machine learning methods. The review delves into the development of specialized data analysis techniques, such as motion analysis algorithms and stroke detection methods, which extract meaningful performance metrics from sensor data. We discuss the integration of wearables with other analytical tools and the emerging role of machine learning in enhancing performance analysis. The review also addresses the current limitations of wearable technology in aquatic sports, including issues of waterproofing, signal quality, and standardization. Finally, we consider future directions in the field, including the potential of novel sensing modalities and the broader implications of wearable technology for both elite and recreational aquatic athletes.