Inquiry Question: Has Technology Positively Impacted the Sports Industry?
Introduction: In the previous rounds of research, we explored the positive impact of technology on sports broadcasting, athlete performance, and fan engagement. In this third round of research, we will further investigate how technology has positively influenced the sports industry, focusing on areas such as sports analytics, injury management, and accessibility.
1. Sports Analytics and Performance Optimization: Technology has revolutionized the field of sports analytics, enabling teams and athletes to gain valuable insights into performance and strategy. The use of data analytics and machine learning algorithms has become increasingly prevalent in various sports. For example, in basketball, advanced tracking systems can collect vast amounts of data, providing teams with detailed statistics on player movements, shot accuracy, and defensive performance. This data-driven approach allows coaches and analysts to make informed decisions, develop effective game plans, and optimize performance. Researchers at Stanford University (Sampaio et al., 2020) found that the integration of analytics in sports has led to improved player development, more accurate performance predictions, and enhanced strategic decision-making.
2. Injury Management and Prevention: Technology has played a crucial role in injury management and prevention within the sports industry. Advanced imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound, have significantly improved the diagnosis and treatment of sports-related injuries. These imaging modalities enable more accurate assessments of injuries, aiding in the development of appropriate rehabilitation protocols and reducing recovery time. Additionally, wearable devices equipped with sensors can provide real-time feedback on biomechanics and movement patterns, helping athletes maintain proper form and reduce the risk of injuries. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (Harle et al., 2019) conducted a study that demonstrated how wearable technology can effectively monitor and prevent overuse injuries in athletes, leading to improved performance and longevity.
3. Accessibility and Inclusivity in Sports: Technology has played a vital role in promoting accessibility and inclusivity in sports. Adaptive technologies, such as prosthetics and assistive devices, have allowed individuals with disabilities to participate in various sporting activities. Advancements in wheelchair design and assistive robotics have opened up new possibilities for athletes with mobility impairments, enabling them to compete at high levels. Moreover, technology has made sports more accessible to a broader audience. Live streaming services, online platforms, and social media have made it easier for fans worldwide to engage with sports events, breaking down geographical barriers and creating a more inclusive sports community.
Sources:
- Sampaio, J., McGarry, T., Calleja-González, J., & Jiménez, S. (2020). Importance of systems thinking in sports performance: A systematic review. Sports Medicine, 50(5), 941-966.
- Harle, C. A., Voss, C., & Welk, G. (2019). The Role of Wearable Technology in Active Detection and Prevention of Overuse Injuries. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 47(7), 1842-1851.
- Lames, M., & McGarry, T. (Eds.). (2018). Analyzing Football: Context, Trends, and Analytics. Routledge. i
- Kerr, D., Dacyshyn, A., & Sproule, J. (2019). Sports technology and human performance: The challenges and opportunities for the future. European Journal of Sport Science, 19(4), 469-477.
Hi Martina!
I love the clearity of your post and the formatting of your information! it was very easy to read through as well as learn about the implications of technology on the sports industry! I mostly enjoyed your points on the inclusivity technology creates, so here are some resources around that!
https://www.sportanddev.org/latest/news/new-technologies-have-made-sport-more-inclusive
https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2021/03/DraftSummary-SPORTMSD25Feb.pdf
https://www.iiardjournals.org/get/RJHCS/VOL.%207%20NO.%201%202021/SPORT%20AND%20TECHNOLOGY%20AS%20SOCIAL.pdf
Sanam M.
Hey Martina!
I love this topic, especially as someone who plays sports!
I definitely have seen a shift on the impact of sports connected to technology. A personal positive impact I have seen is analyzation, in the sense that a personal trainer or coach is able to film parts of you/your teams play, and help it succeed further. One negative, is repetitive and obsessive use of re watching bad plays and over analysing certain things over and over again. This can lead to lower self esteem and negatively impacted play. I love the organization of your blog post!
Good luck with your final project!
– Rhea :))
Hi Martina, interesting post. I’d like to touch on something you didn’t get to mention in this upload. The relationship between technology and sports has grown quite deep in the past few years in so many ways. As you may know, most people nowadays consume their sports content through social media instead of cable networks. This means that sports, like many other sectors of entertainment, are not so slowly being pushed into becoming short-form content that we can watch on our phones. While this may be beneficial to people like me who don’t typically have time to sit down for over an hour to watch a full sports game, it has caused a lot of the intricacy, strategy, and true quality of the athletes to be lost in all the highlights of spectacular feats. While I do believe highlights have their place, it’s important that we don’t allow our generation’s short attention span to affect the core gameplay of our favourite sports. What’s your opinion on social media in sports? Of course, as you mentioned in your blog post, technology can positively affect sports as well. Just thirty years ago, professional football players were still smoking cigarettes before matches, but nowadays players are playing into their forties due to the incredible advancements in sports science and medicine. For example, aided by the incredible technology and procedures at his disposal, Lebron James has been able to play basketball at the very highest level even at thirty-eight years of age. That’s insane! While the one million USD he spends on his health every year is a completely out-of-reach sum for most people, it is still extraordinary how sports technology and medicine have been able to keep him going through all the physical tolls he has gone through.
Some resources you may find interesting are:
https://techcrunch.com/2019/10/01/the-future-of-sports-tech-heres-where-investors-are-placing-their-bets/
https://reflexion.co/blog/sports-performance-technology/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7534935/
https://www.greenfly.com/blog/social-media-in-sports/
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2626562-10-times-social-media-ruined-sports