A Comprehensive Analysis of AI-Powered Wearable Devices for Real-Time Health Monitoring and Performance Metrics in Elite Sports

Abstract

This in-depth review discusses the combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and wearable sensor technology in elite sports, exploring how these technologies revolutionize tracking and enhancing athlete performance. The paper starts by chronologically describing the development of wearables in sports from their beginnings as simple tracking devices to current advanced AI-based systems, followed by a discussion of existing technologies such as sensor types, processing, and implementation methods. Important applications are examined through health monitoring (cardiovascular health, sleep, risk of injury) and performance analysis (technical skill assessment, monitoring of training load). The key challenges are delineated in the review, e.g., data validity, privacy, and integration, but important future directions are pinpointed, e.g., next-generation wearables and complementarity with other technology. The paper concludes with pragmatic suggestions for the integration of such systems into elite sport programs, highlighting the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, ethical management, and user-centered design to maximize the potential of AI-driven wearables in sport.