Smart apparel

A system for monitoring the technique of a user undertaking a physical activity, the system comprising:

• a garment having:
• at least one textile panel;
• a waistband coupled to the at least one textile panel, for securing the garment against a part of the user's body, wherein said waistband comprises a flexible interface connector provided with at least two flexible conductive connective regions suitable for connecting to a processing unit of a system for monitoring the technique of the user undertaking a physical activity, said garment further comprising:
• at least one data transmission path embedded in said at least one textile panel, the at least one data transmission path being connected to said conductive connective regions of said interface connector and at least one sensor for detecting at least one parameter relating to motion of the user while the user is engaged in physical activity, said at least one sensor being connected to said interface connector by the at least one data transmission path, wherein said at least one sensor is encapsulated or integrated within said at least one textile panel, and worn by the user;
• a processing unit configured to receive information about the at least one parameter from the at least one sensor, to compare the at least one parameter with at least one aspect of a biomechanical model of the physical activity, and to determine if a feedback response is required;
• and
• at least one actuator embedded in or carried by the garment for providing the feedback response to the user during the physical activity.