A new type of intelligent garment is designed to help runners improve their breathing rhythm. The system detects step and breathing rhythms in real time and gives acoustic signals to promote calmer and more efficient breathing – without a screen or distracting technology on the body.

The combination of breathing and movement plays an important role in well-being and performance when running. Many runners – both beginners and advanced runners – tend to have unfavorable breathing patterns during exertion: they breathe faster and deeper, but expel too little stale air. As a result, air remains in the lungs, the respiratory muscles are put under greater strain and the running economy deteriorates. This can lead to earlier exhaustion.

Researchers at the Salzburg Research Forschungsgesellschaft, together with colleagues from the University of Salzburg, have developed a prototype: an intelligent sports bra with integrated sensors. The garment measures the breathing rhythm and analyzes movement patterns. A small on-body unit with edge AI processes the data and outputs personalized acoustic signals. These signal when to inhale or exhale for a particularly long time. The feedback automatically adapts to the individual step and breathing rhythm and is deactivated as soon as the breathing pattern is stable.

The aim of the system is to help runners achieve a healthy, conscious breathing rhythm without distracting them. In particular, the extension of the exhalation phase is said to have a positive effect on the autonomic nervous system, reduce stress and improve the running experience – especially for beginners or people with stress symptoms.

The development was developed as part of the research project “DiMo-NEXT – Next Level of Digital Motion in Sports, Fitness and Well-being”. The project is funded in the COMET programme by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure, the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism, the Research Promotion Agency FFG and the provinces of Salzburg, Tyrol and Upper Austria.

The results were published in the journal “Proceedings of the First Annual Conference on Human-Computer Interaction and Sports (SportsHCI ’25)”.

Original paper:

Phoneless step- and breath-adherent auditory breathing guidance in running via smart garments | Proceedings of the First Annual Conference on Human-Computer Interaction and Sports

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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