Technology in Sport
Technology in Sport
Theory Notes
Technology in Sport
Technology affects many aspects of sport from performance on and off the field to spectating and
public profile. Increasingly, advances in technology influence grass‐roots as well as elite sport.
Athlete performance
Technology is used to enhance athletes' performances at all stages – before, during and after
events. It may be used by the athletes' support teams, such as coaches, medics and technicians,
as well as by the athletes themselves. For example:
health, wellbeing and fitness:
o wearable devices track performers' cardiovascular rates.
o hyperbaric oxygen therapy aids recovery after injury.
technique and tactics:
o performance analysis software shows body movements in slow motion.
o game analysis software tracks team, ball and opposition movements.
equipment:
o cambered wheels on wheelchair basketball chairs improve turning.
o smaller, turbo engines in Formula 1 cars are more fuel efficient.
clothing and footwear:
o cricket helmets are lighter, better ventilated and more affordable.
o track shoes are lighter and have greater grip for cornering.
facilities and playing surfaces:
o fourth generation (4G) pitches can be used whatever the weather, all year.
o artificial snow allows winter sports to take place anywhere in the world.
Officiating and Spectating
Technology plays a key part in how sport is played and watched. Increasingly, it means that
officials, spectators and the media are interconnected during performances.
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Theory Notes
Officials
Technology shapes how officials manage a performance. For example:
communicating – microphones to consult with other officials on and off the pitch.
decision‐making – playback facilities to watch events from different angles.
ball tracking – allows for the ball to be minutely tracked to ensure accuracy of decisions
in cricket, tennis and football.
scoring – laser technology to measure jumps and throws more accurately.
time‐keeping – shot‐clock in basketball to speed up play and keep it exciting.
record‐keeping – computers to track points and faults for multiple athletes at once.
Spectators
Watching sport no longer means sitting passively at home or in a stadium. Technology has
enabled spectators to have a more active part in events. For example:
camera coverage – remote‐controlled and micro‐cameras provide more angles, track
individual athletes or provide a performer's viewpoint.
statistical information – on individuals, match play and past performances is available
on‐screen or at the click of a button during play.
interactive software – apps offer access to merchandise, information, competitions,
games and voting through links on tickets and programmes or via downloads.
digital media – means that sports fans can follow a wide range of amateur and
professional sports in a huge variety of ways.
social media – allows fans to have a personal link with their sporting heroes and share
views with others across the world.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology
Technology brings benefits to sport, but it also brings disadvantages. Sometimes the technology
needs to be embedded and improved before it is fully effective, often the problems only emerge
after time.
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Theory Notes
These tables highlight some of the advantages and disadvantages of technology in sport.
For athletes
Advantages Disadvantages
Better performance – marginal gains make
Invades privacy
the difference
Better medical care results in fewer injuries Blurs lines between personal and
or faster recovery from injury professional time
Availability and cost – makes sport and
Feedback from coaches is more focused,
success exclusive to wealthy people and
objective and helpful
countries
Improved kit is more comfortable, more Tempts athletes and coaches into cheating
efficient and safer or unfair practices
Puts the sole focus on winning not athletic
Part of a team, not isolated
endeavour
For officials
Advantages Disadvantages
Supports team approach so there is less
Slows the game
pressure on individuals
Information can be shared easily and
Not available at all levels of competition
quickly and stored over time
Decisions and scoring are more reliable and
No longer trust people's decisions
accurate
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Theory Notes
Advantages Disadvantages
There is increased confidence and trust in Undermines respect for officials' knowledge
officials and expertise
Undermines honesty, integrity and the
spirit of fair play
For spectators
Advantages Disadvantages
More engaged in the sport Detracts from actual play
More informed about rules, players etc Reduces the atmosphere at live events
Reduces interest in grass roots events that
Have a direct link to athletes
aren't supported by technology
Increases spectator/broadcaster costs
Enables trolls to attack individual athletes
For sport generally
Advantages Disadvantages
Increases participation Detracts from intensity of physical activity
Promotes new and alternative Reduces emotional wellbeing that comes
opportunities from escaping digital pressures/routines
Supports less‐wealthy sports to promote
Increases costs to sports and participants
themselves
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Theory Notes
Advantages Disadvantages
Sponsors more interested in technology
Leads to more coverage and revenue
than sport or athletes
Adds glamour
Improves safety
Acknowledgements:
bbc.co.uk/bitesize
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