How Technology Changes Sports (Research Paper Sample)

HOW TECHNOLOGY CHANGES SPORTS
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How Technology Changes Sports
The vast technological advancement witnessed in the past few years has evolved the sports industry by improving the effectiveness of equipment and the performance of players. In the contemporary society, advanced sports technologies demand advanced materials, novel design, and deep understanding of the needs of the sportspersons like their product attributes and sensory perceptions. According to Fuss, Subic, and Mehta (2008), technological advancement in the sports sector increases participation of individuals, which has led to increase of the value of sports apparel to $50 billion and equipment to $40 billion. Sequentially, sports technology contributes to the prevention of injuries, enhancement of epidemiology, and the improvement of sports performance. However, the use of technology in sports raises serious concerns about durability and reliability of equipment since wearable sensors are prone to tear and wear (The 6 biggest roadblocks for wearable tech in pro sports 2013). Sequentially, the use of technology might lead to unemployment since the adoption of equipment like wearable devices and video players eradicate the need for coaches (The 6 Biggest Roadblocks for Wearable Tech in Pro Sports 2013). Moreover, players from rich countries which are technologically advanced have upper merits over those from undeveloped nations (Hodierne 2012). Even though technology has adverse effects on sports like the provision of equipment with short durability, it has completely evolved the industry.
Due to technological advancement, the Olympics complexity in sports equipment, attire, and performances improve each time the event is held. According to Goldman (2015), the 2014 Olympic events held in Sochi, Russia, were characterized by the introduction of hi-tech equipment which improved the performance of players and revolutionized the event. For instance, the Slicker Skating Suits which have the ability to create flow molding to reduce water friction against speed skating athletes (Goldman 2015). Equally important, 3D gyro sensors, 3D acceleration sensors, and speed sensors used in bobsled data mining, which improve track statistics through the provision of real-time data were introduced during the 2014 Olympics (Goldman 2015). Comparatively, during the 2012 London Olympics, athletics track which use cutting edge technology to allow shock absorption, optimize slip resistance, and increase shoe durability as athletes run over rubber granules were introduced (Technology in Sports 2017). Consequently, the athletics track improves the participants’ aerodynamic and biomechanics, thus allowing them to run much faster (Ellapen and Paul 2016). As if that is not enough, photocells can now be employed to identify the athlete whose torso crossed the finishing beam first, which increases transparency in the Olympic event and motivates performance. Sequentially, other technologies introduced during the Olympics events include equipment like dive cam technology used by divers and the use of wearable devices for the timing of sports activities (Technology in Sports 2017). Technology has revolutionized Olympics events due to the introduction of effective equipment like wearable devices, a comfortable athletics track, and the use of sensors in bobsled data mining.
Technology in sports leads to improved performance by sportspersons due to the ability to measure the time taken in different activities. Apparently, the use of computers has enabled the provision of timing equipment for use by cyclists, athletes, and cricketers (The Impact of Technology on Sports 2017). For instance, the treadmill provides significant information to an athlete like running speed, heartbeat, and the amount of calories lost during a session. Apparently, this information is used after workout since to assess performance and to strategize on how to improve future performances. Sequentially, the use of timing technology in Formula One sports makes it possible to post the time taken by drivers in chronological order; thus, funs have easy moments following the race (Technology in Sports 2017). In the same token, electronic timing allows athletes to measure their reaction time after the start gun is fired which allows the athlete to adjust accordingly depending on the coach’s advice. Apparently, the introduction of new equipment in sports allows referees and coaches to make decisive judgments because the results displayed in the wearable devices, scoreboards, and broadcasting screens are more accurate (Rosandich 2008). Technology in sports allows timing and recording of different events like the period taken by an athlete and a Formula One race driver, which provides room for analysis after the sport, hence improved effectiveness due to the ability to view stored records of the event.
The introduction of the goal-line technology and value-added applications which provide online ticket ordering and unique camera angles has improvised effectiveness in football sports and attracted more fans. Apparently, the goal-line technology, which was introduced during the 2014 World Cup, utilizes 14 3-dimension cameras placed at different corners of the field which are able to send optical and vibration signals to the referee’s watch once a ball goes beyond the goal-line technology (Goldman 2015). Clearly, this technology is essential since it solves conflicts that arise due to controversial goals in football, especially during FIFA World Cup and Premier League events. Consequently, all the goals scored in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil were registered; thus, minimal controversies and interruptions due to replays were witnessed (Technology in Sports 2017). In the same token, technology has revolutionized the NFA sports activity due to the introduction of Wi-Fi services in stadiums, which improves the comfort of the fans. Moreover, stadiums like McLane Stadium and Century Link Field Stadium have valued added applications which provide services like ticket booking and quality camera angles for displaying replays which improve the experience of the fans (Poeter 2015). The goal-line technology in football stadiums and value added applications like ticket booking and Wi-Fi services in NFA stadiums improve the experience of fans and effectiveness of the games.
Due to improved sports medicine due to technological advancement, the control of physical activity and non-communicable diseases is now possible. Apparently, technology enables sports medicine professionals to confirm player’s response to medical interventions and clinical diagnosis. As an example, the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound in sports medicine allows epidemiologists to locate skeletal, muscular, and soft tissue damages in a player’s body without conducting invasive surgery. Moreover, the musculoskeletal ultrasound technology provides a complex view of the visceral tissue and organs of a player and helps medical experts to identify any tissue abnormalities like tumors and tendon tears (Ellapen 2016). At the same time, the use of motion digital analyses in cycling, swimming, and marathon improves the effectiveness of kinesiologists reports since the measurement of anatomical angles and identification of the relationship between rotor cuff muscles is possible (Ellapen 2016). At the same time, the introduction of wearable devices and smartphone applications like Body Byte enables tracking of a player’s basal metabolic index, BMI, and heart rate range. Wearable devices enable an athlete to measure his or her run time, heartbeat range, and their correlation with their velocity which improves his or her muscle strength, aerobic capacity, and endurance (Liebermann, Katz, and Hughes et al. 2002). Consequently, medical experts are able to advice athletes on how to improve their BMI and healthy living standards (Ellapen 2016). Technological advancement has revolutionized the sports industry due to the ability to control physical activity through the provision of wearable devices and smartphone applications like Body Byte, which enables athletes to monitor their BMI.
Technological advancement in the sports industry facilitates digital media and streaming of events and the provision of advancement sports equipment to players. Some decades ago, one had to attend a football match, NFA tournament or a boxing match to view the entire sports event. Fortunately, due to technology, cable providers like NBC Sports and television stations like DSTV, which provide full coverage of sports events in various parts of the world. According to Goldman (2015), 61.8 million fans viewed the 2014 Sochi Olympics online through various digital platforms which used signals provided by ESPN. Moreover, digital coverage has played a crucial role in expanding sports leagues like Premier League, NBA, and NFL since fans throughout the world can stream online (Poeter 2015). At the same time, the streaming of sports events live on digital media platforms forced league sponsors, w