Technology has been a game-changer in shaping modern human life. Today the world is dependent on technology like never before. In this tech-driven era, humans are using technology for both good and bad causes. Technology has made humans’ lives easier in multiple ways but we have seen one of the best uses of technology in the world of Sports.
The tech world has changed the way Sports are played or even watched. Watching Sports was never this exciting. It is the technology, that has made games more enjoyable and engaging for fans. Technology has changed the game not only for fans but for players as well, by making them faster and stronger.
You must have witnessed the rapid growth of technology in the world of Sports. From data analytics to scorekeeping, technology is used everywhere in Sports. In this article, we are going to talk about the latest trends in the Sports technology.
What is Sports technology?
Sports technology is a technical method that is used in Sports for multiple purposes, from improving athletes’ strength to preventing injury. Smart gear, wearable trackers, IoT-based connected equipment, data analytics, and eSports-based AR/VR technologies are some of the best examples of technology in Sports.
How has Technology impacted the Sports Industry?
Enhanced the viewing experience of Sports for fans
A true Sports fan wants nothing but minute-to-minute information about their favorite match, which is now possible. Well, thanks to technology for that, as it has unlocked the way for fans to get real-time on-screen data analytics and details about the latest happening on the pitch.
The changing technology has advanced the ways fans used to watch their favorite sports. As they get detailed information about players, teams, and the rules of the game. Technology has connected fans with their favorite players and teams from the screen only. Now, it does not matter whether they are in the stadium or at their homes, the game is still exciting and engaging.
In making fair decisions
The emerging technologies have enabled referees to make fair decisions, reducing the risk of error during the game. They use camera technology to watch playback and to make a decision based on that.
In preventing injuries
The modern uses of technology have proved that if we use technology in the right way and for the right cause, it is no less than a blessing for human beings. We have seen several uses of technology in Sports. Technology has powered trainers and coaches to prevent injuries of the players.
For example, with the help of advanced gadgets and tools trainers are allowed to monitor the heart rates of the athletes and take precautions, if they find anything wrong, without wasting any time. Here are some examples of technology used in Sports to prevent injury:
Technical Helmets
We have heard about many cases of players’ head injuries while playing. Due to these kinds of head injuries, players can even go into a state of shock, which results in risking their lives. To avoid these kinds of situations players are provided with high-tech helmets to protect their head during any unfavourable situation.
Mouthguard monitor
Mouthguards are created with In-built sensors. This device automatically glows red, if it detects any impact on the head while playing. It is used by athletes to prevent any kind of brain injury.
What are the emerging technologies in the sports industry?
We have witnessed a massive change in the Sports industries all because of technology. Several technical tools are used in Sports industries for multiple purposes. We cannot deny the fact that it has been a boon for both fans and players. Let’s explore some of the emerging technologies in the Sports industry.
Wearable Technology
The first on our list is wearable technology which is the most popular and is in trend these days. Wearable technologies are like gadgets that players usually wear either on their wrists or their ankles for multiple benefits. Here are Some of the examples of the wearable technical tools
Fitness watches
These watches are used by professional players to monitor or to keep tracking heart rates, step count, distance covered, calorie intake, and pace to ensure that they are fit enough to play.
Heart rate monitors
It is also a wearable gadget used by players or athletes to monitor their heart rates to check their heart health during exercises.
Sports Helmets
Sports helmets are another type of tool that comes under wearable technology, used by players to protect their heads.
GPS Trackers
There are multiple uses for GPS trackers but one of their basic uses is for tracking the distance and pace, covered by players. It is also a wearable tool that players use to monitor their activities like running and cycling.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
The rapid use of Virtual Reality and Augmented reality in Sports has helped Sport business industries to grow faster. AR and VR technology are emerging to be vital tools for the benefit of the Sports industry. Here are some of the uses of AR and VR in the sports:
Virtual reality
This technology has enhanced fans’ excitement for the game by providing them with a virtual gaming experience. Fans can enjoy a 360-degree viewing experience of any Sports match with virtual reality headsets. It has also helped trainers and players improve their performances.
Augmented reality
Augmented reality is used by coaches for regular training of the players and this digital tool is also capable of engaging more fans by providing them with a realistic experience.
Data Analytics
Data analytics is again a very vital tech tool for understanding Sports information and also it is used for making data-driven decisions by coaches. Data analytics in Sports works in four major steps:
- Data Collection
- Data Organization
- Data Analysis
- Making decisions based on analysis of data
Performance Tracking Systems
Multiple technologies are used to track the performances of the athletes by trainers or by players themselves. Here are some of the examples of techs that are used for tracking players performances:
GPS Trackers
GPS or (global positioning System}, I am sure that you must have heard about this device earlier. It is one of the very popular technologies used in Sports to track athletes’ movements. Often trainers use this device to monitor players’ performance during training periods.
RFID Technology
RFID or Radio Frequency Identification technology is used to track a player’s exact location in the field based on their movements.
Sleep tracking devices
Sleep tracking devices are another type of software tool used in Sports industries to track players’ sleep time to enhance their performances.
Computer vision system
The computer vision system is another way to track players’ movements in the field through cameras. The computer vision system has enabled trainers to catch players’ movements in real-time.
Goal-line Technology
Goal-line technology is emerging to be a popular technology used in Football games, to identify whether the goal scored is valid or not.
Have you ever seen the last-minute decision-making pressure on the referee to identify whether the ball has crossed the line or not? Goal-line technology is used to make that final call so that the decision will be error-free.
VAR or Videos Assistance Referee
Video assistant referee also called VAR is used in different Sports like Cricket and Football to make error-free decisions.
- Video review is the first step, where VAR enables technical teams to make decisions based on video footage to ensure that the decision is correct and human error-free.
- In the second step, the team communicates with the referee through the headset about the decision taken based on video footage. Once the decision is taken, the referee announces the outcome of the game.
Fan Engagement Technologies
Engagement of fans is the most vital step for any Sport, as there is no Sports without fans. To do this job with ease, many fan-engaging technologies are used these days in the Sports industry. Here are some of the best examples of Fan’s engagement technologies
Mobile Apps
Mobile apps are the best medium to connect with fans. It is safe to say that every fan has a mobile phone, hence it is the most convenient way for them to engage with any Sports, that’s why Sports teams are dedicated to providing fans with real-time live scores, players’ profiles, and other information through mobile applications.
Social media
Social media is another way to engage fans by connecting with them through different platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Multiple technologies are being used by Sports industries to engage more fans, such as broadcasting and live-streaming matches, hosting fan-engaging events, and more.
Sports APIs
Sports Apis are the powerful tools that play a significant role in providing Data to the various sports broadcasters, Sports publishers, Sports apps. These sports platforms help make people aware of the data that exist in the sports industry. Today, most of the sports data is delivered through the sports APIs. Through sports api, one can showcase of data of various sports. There are many players in the market that have created their own APIs and powers people and different platforms around the world with the data. Through Sports Apis, one can deliver different kinds of data such as Player stats, livescore, sports historical data and much more.
In conclusion, the impact of technology in the Sports world is unbelievable. It has provided players with better equipment to monitor their strengths and weaknesses. It has helped players to improve their game by monitoring their performances. I hope this article will be helpful for you to understand the latest technology trends in the world of Sports.
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