Abstract:

Significance Global acceleration of population aging has caused the increasing burden arising from chronic diseases. The transition toward a "health-centered" medical model, the development of wearable health intervention technologies that integrate comfort, functionality, and intelligence have become key directions in textile science and technology. Knitted structures, owing to their excellent three-dimensional formability, high elasticity, and structural designability, are evolving from conventional apparel materials into multifunctional health carriers capable of sensing, responding, and regulating. They show broad application prospects in health monitoring, sports protection, and biomedical engineering.

Progress In recent years, knitting technology has evolved from a conventional textile manufacturing process into a core platform for functional integration by leveraging its inherent structural programmability. This study reviews the cutting-edge advancements of knitting technology across three major domains: sports health, smart wearables, and biomedical applications. It highlights key technologies such as Tricot warp knitting, jacquard patterning, and seamless weft knitting, emphasizing their role in supporting the multifunctional and structurally optimized design of high-performance sportswear. It provides an in-depth analysis of the central role played by flat weft knitting technology, particularly in the monolithic integration of flexible sensing units and the development of self-powered systems for physiological monitoring. Furthermore, it clarifies the synergistic mechanism between deep learning algorithms and knitted sensing systems, revealing the potential of their integration to achieve a critical leap from physical signal acquisition to behavioral intent recognition. Additionally, this study systematically elaborates on the innovative applications of knitted structures in key medical components, such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) oxygenators and hernia repair meshes. It expounds on their irreplaceable advantages in tissue regeneration, fluid management, and life support, which are realized through tailored porous architectures, mechanical compatibility with biological tissues, and customizable manufacturing processes.

Conclusion and Prospect Knitting technology is driving the advancement of health-oriented textiles toward an integrated "sensing-response-intervention" system through cross-scale structural design, digital intelligent manufacturing, and multidisciplinary integration. Current challenges include balancing functional integration with wearing comfort, ensuring long-term biocompatibility, and achieving algorithm generalization in real-world scenarios. In the future, with the deep convergence of programmable knitting technology, novel smart fibers, and artificial intelligence, the next generation of health-focused knitting systems will evolve toward reconfigurable, adaptive, and personalized directions. This will provide robust technical support and guidance for the realization of smart healthcare and proactive health management.

Key words: knitting technology, smart wearables, biomedical application, functional textiles for health, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation membrane, artificial blood vessel, sportswear fabric, sports shoe material