Technology in Sport

Improvements in performance can be enhanced by the use of technology. The performer, coach and officials use technology in modern sport. Technology affects almost every aspect 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 can help athletes to improve their performance. This can be broken down into different areas.

Health, fitness and well-being
Technique and tactics
Equipment
Clothing and footwear
Facilities and playing surfaces

advantages

Health and well-being can be monitored
Performance can be analysed
Nutrition can be monitored and suitably adjusted
Greater understanding of technique being used
Recover quicker

disadvantages

Can be costly
Need to know how to use software
May be time consuming
Invades privacy; blurs lines between personal and professional time;
Availability and cost – makes sport and success exclusive to wealthy people and countries

Technology for the official

Technology has steadily been used to assist officials in their onfield decision making. Examples of technology to aid the officials are 'Hawkeye' in tennis and cricket, Decision Review System in cricket, VAR and Goal-line technology in football.

Question: Can you find other examples in other sports where technology is used to support the officials?

advantages

Decisions are fair
Removes the ability of players to manipulate the official
Takes responsibility away from the official
Some technology has proven that officials are usually correct, builds trust in the official
Prevents controversy within decision making
Relatively quick to use
Allows decisions to be made from many angles and in slow motion
Supports team approach so there is less pressure on individuals
Information can be shared easily and quickly and stored over time to review decisions and make improvements

disadvantages

Technology can be wrong
May discredit the official if it proves they were wrong
Can take time
Disrupts the 'flow' of an event
Goes against the traditional nature of being an official
Can become over reliant on technology
May remove the need for human officials
Only available for certain matches/events so unfair for some players/teams

Technology for the spectator

advantages

Able to engage with the event even from distance
Improved coverage of minority sports therefore increasing their popularity
Closer connection to athletes
Promotes participation and presents positive role models

disadvantages

Detracts from actual play
Reduces the atmosphere at live events
Reduces interest in grass roots events that aren’t supported by technology
Increases spectator/broadcaster costs
Enables trolls to attack individual athletes

technology for the coach

Coaches and performers use performance analysis technology to develop and improve the strategies and tactics that athletes use during team and individual performances.

Strategies and tactics

As well as being used to analyse athletes’ skills and fitness, technology is used to evaluate and improve performers’ strategies and tactics. These are the methods that performers use to maximise their chances of winning. They are most obvious in games – for example, agreeing who receives the centre pass in netball. They are also used in other types of performance – for example, middle-distance runners deciding to lead the race from the front.

Strategies and tactics are often pre-arranged and rehearsed, especially in team games. Performers also need to be able to adapt or change them during a performance. This requires good problem-solving and decision-making skills. Good observation and tactical awareness are important while both playing and analysing play.

advantages

Health and well-being of the athlete can be monitored
Performance of the athlete can be analysed
Nutrition of the athlete can be monitored and suitably adjusted
Greater understanding of technique being used by the athlete
Quicker recovery for the athlete
Can draw on a large bank of resources quickly
Easier and reliable monitoring
Data produced quickly and efficiently allowing them to interpret performance

disadvantages

Can be costly: The coach may have a certain budget
Need to know how to use software
May be time consuming
May prevent natural feedback from the coach who could become too reliant on technology
May misinterpret technology and provide incorrect advice

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