A wearable physiological monitoring system comprising a garment that is configured to cover at least the chest region and the upper back of a wearer, a stretchable circumferential band that is attachable to the garment, the stretchable band including a respiration detection system that is configured to detect axial chest wall displacements of the wearer and integral signal transmission conductors, an electronics module that is releasably attachable to said garment and programmed to control the respiration detection system, process signals therefrom, and wirelessly transmit the processed signals, and a self-aligning magnetic connection system that is configured to removeably couple the electronics module to said band and, thereby, the signal transmission conductors.
