In collaboration with the University of Salzburg, Salzburg Research has developed a system that synchronises breathing and movement in real time while running. The system uses a smart garment to detect stride and breathing rhythms, providing auditory feedback to promote calmer breathing, greater well-being and a more efficient running style.

Better coordinate breathing and movement

The connection between breathing and movement affects both the subjective perception of exertion and physical performance when running. This is precisely the area in which a new system developed by researchers at Salzburg Research in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Salzburg comes in. This intelligent garment tracks breathing and movement patterns, providing runners with real-time audio cues without the need for a screen or additional distracting technology.

Conscious breathing can make a noticeable difference, particularly for recreational athletes. Although running is widely considered to be an accessible form of exercise, many people cut their workouts short due to breathing difficulties.

Real-time feedback directly in the garment

The prototype smart breathing belt incorporates sensors that measure breathing patterns and link them to movement. A small, wearable unit processes the data directly on the body using edge AI technology to generate personalized audio cues. These cues help users to regulate their breathing and specifically prolong their exhalation.

“When they exert themselves, runners tend to breathe faster and more deeply. However, they also tend to exhale too little air, which leaves stale air in the lungs. This increases the volume of air in the lungs unnecessarily, placing greater strain on the respiratory muscles and leading to inefficient running economy and earlier exhaustion,” explains Severin Bernhart of Salzburg Research.

Less stress, more enjoyment of running

The system is designed to help runners develop a healthy, mindful breathing rhythm that won’t distract them from their workout. In particular, lengthening the exhalation can promote physical relaxation and enhance the running experience, which is especially beneficial for beginners and those prone to stress.

“All sensors and computational processes are integrated directly into the garment and the on-body unit. The breathing guidance automatically adapts to the individual’s stride and breathing rhythm, making real-time adjustments in the event of irregularities. It deactivates as soon as the breathing pattern stabilises again,” says Severin Bernhart, a researcher at Salzburg Research.

The work was funded as part of the COMET project, “DiMo-NEXT– Next Level of Digital Motion in Sports, Fitness and Well-being” by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs, the Austrian Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology, the Austrian Research Promotion Agency, and the states of Salzburg, Tyrol and Upper Austria.

More information:

• Publication: Severin Bernhart, Eric Harbour, Harald Rieser (2025): Phoneless Step- and Breath-Adherent Auditory Breathing Guidance in Running via Smart Garments In: SportsHCI ’25: Proceedings of the First Annual Conference on Human-Computer Interaction and Sports.
• Press release: Intelligent Atmen beim Laufen: Innovative Sportbekleidung gibt personalisiertes Atemfeedback in Echtzeit