Recent progress in flexible materials for wearable devices for body function and athletic performance monitoring

The rapid advancements in flexible materials and wearable electronics have catalyzed the technological progress in the fields of motion monitoring and health assessment. Flexible wearable sensors with high flexibility, stretchability, sensitivity, and precision properties are a more specific and convenient solution for motion monitoring. Incorporating high-performance conductive materials into flexible substrates enables the detection of physiological signals, such as bioelectric, vital signs, and biochemical parameters. These sensors can also monitor real-time athletic performance signals, such as speed, posture, and angles. This paper reviews and elaborates on the latest types and performance metrics of sensor functional materials with respect to the specific characteristics of data acquisition and analysis of various motion signals, and summarizes the classification, functionality, and relevant performance metrics shown by flexible materials in the wearable devices for body function and athletic performance monitoring, with the goal of exploring the application potential of flexible materials with various functions in wearable devices and providing guidance for the practical transformation of research outcomes in this field.