From Monitoring to Prevention: Wearable Technology for Injury Prevention in Sport: A Narrative Review
TL;DR
Wearable technologies should be viewed as monitoring and decision-support tools rather than autonomous injury-prevention systems, and evidence is strongest for measurement and weakens toward injury reduction.
Abstract
Background Wearable technologies are used in sport to monitor training load, biomechanics, physiology, and recovery, but their effectiveness in injury prevention remains uncertain. Aim To evaluate evidence on wearables for sports injury prevention using a framework covering measurement validity, injury association, prognostic modelling, implementation, and intervention effectiveness. Material and methods A narrative review of wearables monitoring modifiable injury-related factors was conducted. Findings were organized across five translational levels, from measurement validity to injury reduction, following SANRA recommendations [20]. Results Validity and reliability depend on the device, algorithm, sensor placement, and sporting task. Associations between wearable-derived metrics and injuries are inconsistent and do not support universal risk thresholds. Machine-learning models show promise, but their use is limited by poor external validation, calibration, and methods. Implementation, organizational context, and human decision-making affect practical value. Direct evidence that wearable-guided interventions reduce injuries remains scarce. Conclusions Wearables should be viewed as monitoring and decision-support tools rather than autonomous injury-prevention systems. Evidence is strongest for measurement and weakens toward injury reduction. Future research should prioritize multicentre validation, causal modelling, standardized reporting, and pragmatic trials.