Technology has been part of the sport for quite a while now. Whether it be Hawk-Eye in sports like cricket and tennis, goal-line technology in football, or just simple visuals that allow refs or umpires to see how a particular passage of action panned out, tech is most definitely in sport.
But there are also tons of technology on the athlete side of things. Wearables that give you a second by second look into how your body is performing, timing systems, or even new technology used to make more advanced and safe gear. According to BetMGM with 5G being rolled out, the tech in sports will undergo even more changes in the near future.
With regards to tech such as Hawk-Eye, VAR, or any sort of technology that can accurately show if a player or ball is out of bounds, over the scoring line, or inbounds, this technology as a whole has been proven to be quite effective.
Gone are the days where game or championship changing calls are made wrong, the technology is now there to ensure the right call is made, yes, some believe that this actually takes any drama away from a game, but correct calls at least ensure a fair playing ground.
Technology has actually benefited athletes and teams more in recent years. It has been used to make better workout routines, more personalized workout routines that give each athlete exactly what they need depending on their body, strength, fitness level, injuries, etc. These more personalized routines ensure each athlete can reach their full potential.
Wearable tech is one sector that has seen a massive improvement. We all remember step counters, the most basic form of wearable tech, however, technology has moved far beyond that.
You are able to track your heart rate, steps, blood pressure, sleep patterns, and everything in between. Having all this information on your wrist enables you to change routines and start improving your health and wellbeing right away.
With regards to sport, you can see how different athletes are today compared to 20 or 30 years ago. They are faster, stronger, more agile, and this is all simply down to tech being used to improve training routines and unlocking athletes’ full potential.
The world of analytics has also drastically improved due to technology, especially in racing. Formula 1 for example benefits massively from the ability to see every single facet of their car during practice and during a race.
Teams are able to monitor fuel levels, tire pressures, aerodynamics, and everything in between. As well as how long the tires will last before needing to be changed, how far the fuel will get them, heat levels, and even all the vitals of the driver.
There are also numerous pieces of tech that allow teams and athletes to train their reflexes and cognitive ability. Examples such as a board with lights that switch on and off randomly and athletes needing to hit each light, this shows that tech is not only being used for physical fitness and strength, but also mental strength and reflexes.
Technology is also being used to improve protective equipment across the board. Helmets for instance are being designed better using technology to shape the helmet to ensure maximum vision, as well as protecting the head fully, especially in sports such as cricket and American football where the helmet needs to protect the head against very serious hits.
Equipment, in general, is being improved with technology. Bats, balls, rackets, clubs, bicycles, and almost any piece of equipment is now being designed to be lighter, stronger, faster, better.
Bicycles are a prime example of this. They are now designed to be lighter than ever, but still strong and easy to maneuver. The fact that a bike in the Tour de France only weighs a few hundred grams shows how advanced they have become.
Formula 1 cars also demonstrate this. Each body part of the car is meticulously designed and tested in wind tunnels to ensure they are as light and aerodynamic as possible, while still being rigid and strong. This wouldn’t be possible without the technology manufacturers use.
As mentioned already, VAR is probably one of the most controversial pieces of technology in the sport right now. It is used by FIFA as a sort of up close and unbiased referee in football games, ensuring calls such as offsides and penalties are made correctly, two facets of the sport that have seen the most controversy
In many aspects, it is improving the game, as many correct calls are being made. It is under fire though, as it still relies on people to make the calls. Even though the technology itself is brilliant, it is still suffering from human error and bias.
As you can see, there are numerous aspects of the sport that advancing technology has benefitted. It is also advancing at a rapid pace, changing the way athletes and teams train, recover, and play.
With workout routines, to in-game calls, equipment changes, and everything in between being changed due to technology, it is obvious that all sports now work in conjunction with the advancements of technology, and it must be said, even if some people think it is ruining a particular game, it is most definitely changing the face of competition.
