SPORTSWEAR: Built in sensors talk with the user’s phone via a ‘little black box’ (inset)

A Canadian startup has introduced a range of smart sports shirts that monitor the wearer’s heart rate, breathing and movement and then use Bluetooth LE to send the collected data to their smartphone for real time analysis.

OMsignal’s OM Biometric Smartwear range comprises four form-fitting compression shirts that work in conjunction with a mobile app and a Bluetooth “little black box” that is clipped on and off each garment as required.

Each shirt includes a range of health sensors that have been embedded into the fabric. “The sensors are knitted close to the heart to capture a robust electrocardiogram (ECG) reading, which deliver heart rate (BPM) and heart rate variability (HRV), providing the most accurate method of calculating the number of calories you burn and your physiological stress-level,” the company says. “Additionally, sensors on the chest measure respiration rate and balance as well as track activity levels through an accelerometer.”

“OM shirts monitor your activity, physiological stress and fitness levels, giving you total control over your fitness and everyday performance,” the team says. “Each of the four shirts include health sensors embedded into the fabric that measure your biometric data in real-time and relay this information to your personal dashboard on the Omsignal app.

“The OM app translates the users’ unique bio-signal into personal actionable insights. The Omsignal shirts can tell you what’s up with your body so you can improve how you manage your health, gain actionable insight and meet your fitness goals.”

“Each style tracks your body’s most important biometric data and vital signs including heart rate, breathing rate, breathing volume, movement (including steps and cadence), movement intensity, heart rate variability and calories burned. Omsignal shirts also offer sports-specific data such as effort expended and breathing rate, heart rate zone tracking and heart rate recovery.”

“Information is immediately relayed from the shirt through the little black box to the phone via Bluetooth. The little black box is clipped onto the shirt and ensures that all data is immediately available in the Omsignal iOS app, as long as the phone is in Bluetooth range.

“The data within the Omsignal app is private to you, helps you track your progress and gives you real-time feedback, actionable insights and regular health summary and fitness email reports of your progress.”

The four shirts are available to pre-order for shipping “in the summer of 2014″ with prices starting at US$79 plus a one-off US$119 cost for the Bluetooth black box.