What we are doing is taking the laboratory out onto the playing field

Dr Chris Bayber, University of Birmingham

Dr Chris Bayber, from Birmingham University, UK, developed the device, which weighs the same as a personal stereo.

He told the BBC: "A lot of studies of athletes involved people being followed up in the laboratory.

"What we are doing is taking the laboratory out on to the playing field.

"The device measures aspects of performance from a wireless link, so we can see how a person is behaving."

He said that in theory several players could wear the vests and send signals back simultaneously to the pitchside computer.

Dr Bayber said: "The intention is not for it to be used in real matches, but certainly in training situations."

Penalty role

There is even the suggestion that, in the event of a penalty shootout, the vest might help a manager choose the least nervous players to take part.

However, former Welsh international Paul Bodin - who himself suffered the trauma of a penalty miss during an important game against Romania - said he felt it would be of limited use.

He told the BBC: "The only time you would use a heart monitor is pre-season when you are testing your fitness.

"If you are a regular penalty taker and you are confident, that is the main thing.

"To be honest, I don't think the vest will ever work."