Electronic textiles for sport, exercise, and rehabilitation: a scoping review of validation evidence, technological maturity, and translational barriers

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Abstract
Objectives: To map and critically synthesize the current evidence on electronic textiles applied to sport, exercise, and rehabilitation, focusing on validation approaches, methodological quality, technological maturity, and translational barriers. Design: Scoping review. Methods: Four electronic databases were systematically searched from 2010 to 2025. Eligible studies investigated electronic textiles actively used during physical activity, exercise, or rehabilitation. The methodological quality was appraised using design-appropriate assessment tools, and technological maturity was evaluated based on development status and validation context. The data were synthesized descriptively across application domains, sensing modalities, and translational factors. Results: Twenty studies published between 2016 and 2023 were included, covering joint kinematics or movement analysis ( n = 11), plantar pressure ( n = 5), cardiorespiratory monitoring ( n = 2), sweat biochemistry ( n = 1), and usability-focused evaluation ( n = 1). Electronic textiles often showed promising technical accuracy under controlled conditions. However, most investigations relied on small convenience samples and laboratory-based protocols, with limited evaluation in field or sport-specific environments. Key methodological and translational limitations included insufficient statistical power, inconsistent reporting practices, a lack of control groups, and a systemic absence of data on durability, washability, thermophysiological comfort, and mechanical textile properties. Conclusions: Electronic textiles show potential for unobtrusive biomechanical and physiological monitoring, but their integration into sport and rehabilitation remains constrained by methodological and translational limitations. The field is characterized by a mismatch between rapid material innovation and limited methodological rigor. Future research requires ecologically valid designs, robust validation protocols, and greater attention to long-term reliability, comfort, textile mechanics, and user-centered implementation factors.

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