Many children experience breathing difficulties after exercising. The Wearable Breathing Trainer—developed by Saxion University of Applied Sciences and Breathpal—helps children improve their breathing technique using a smart shirt with an integrated breathing sensor. Regieorgaan SIA and Sportinnovator made it possible to test this innovation during the Zwarte Cross festival.

The shirt registers breathing and provides immediate feedback through vibrations and a linked game. This allows children to playfully learn how to control their breathing and increases their enjoyment of sports. During the Zwarte Cross, 125 children tested the prototype in the Blagenparadijs (Kids’ Paradise). They performed sporting activities while researchers observed how the shirt was used and collected feedback from both children and parents.

The game experience with vibrations and visual feedback was rated the best. Children found the shirt comfortable, but for younger participants (7-10 years), the link between the vibrations and their breathing was not always clear. Parents also indicated that they would like more insight into what the measurements actually mean.

Based on the results, the developers are working on a more accessible interface with more playful visual feedback for children and a short, clear explanation for parents. The prototype is being further developed for the original target group of 12-18 year olds, with an adjusted vibration location for greater clarity and new game variations. Further tests will follow in more realistic sports or school environments. Additionally, the team is looking for entrepreneurs to market the product—the elite sports sector has already shown interest.

In collaboration with: Zwarte Cross, Hogeschool Saxion, Breathpal, Regieorgaan SIA, Sportinnovator and CLICK NL.