Utilization of deep learning to classify resistance training exercises by the fabricated resistive stretch sensor

In this study, the authors proposed a method to fabricate a resistive stretch textile sensor from polyester spandex (PET/SP) fabric and commercial single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT). In addition, we designed and trained a one-dimension convolutional neural network to classify four resistance workouts, which employed data acquired from the proposed sensor as the input. To figure out the most appropriate PET/SP sample for the deep learning application, we investigated morphologies and characterization of three samples in distinct conditions of the coating process. Data acquired from the proposed sensor illustrated the significant difference between activated and non-activated muscle groups in each specific exercise. With the PET/SP sample which met the requirements of the application, after 100 epochs, the deep learning model achieved 97.2% training accuracy and 90% test accuracy. This study demonstrates that the SWCNT-coated PET/SP stretch textile sensor can be utilized effectively to track the activity of forearm muscles during resistance training. Other than that, the proposed 1D-CNN, with the advantage of training time and computational cost, is able to classify time series data with high performance and thus can be applied widely in various deep learning applications, especially in the healthcare and sports industries.