Effectiveness of Wearable Technologies in Sports Therapy: Surface EMG and Accelerometers

Abstract

High-intensity, high-frequency exercise loads render muscle, ligament, and joint injuries among the most common ailments in training and competition. Affected athletes often experience persistent muscle weakness, compensatory movement patterns, and recurrent injuries. In recent years, the application of wearable devices in sports rehabilitation has mitigated these negative effects. Common types include surface electromyography (sEMG) and accelerometers. Compared to traditional exercise therapy, wearable technology integrates quantitative data, providing a more reliable understanding of the athlete’s injury and helping physicians develop more effective rehabilitation plans. However, when analyzing the effectiveness of these two wearable technologies, accelerometers and surface electromyography, several potential factors and limitations still need to be considered, such as the high cost, which may limit their widespread adoption and effectiveness in the field of sports therapy. Based on existing clinical and sports science research, this paper evaluates the effectiveness of sEMG and accelerometers in sports therapy, focusing on their benefits in movement quality assessment, training load management, and individualized rehabilitation plan development. It also briefly explores the potential of combining wearable data with artificial intelligence modeling for injury risk assessment and rehabilitation decision support.