Over the past ten years or so, technology has changed the world of sports in ways we never thought were possible. From helping players up their game to revolutionizing the officiating of the games, it’s changed sports beyond all recognition.
Here, we’re going to look at just some of the ways that technology has changed sports in the past 10 years.
Instant Replay & VAR
Seen as both a blessing and a curse, this has been one of the biggest technological advancements in sports. In the NFL, soccer and various other sports, the use of HD cameras and advanced replay systems means that they can actually review and double-check some of the most important game decisions. In the NBA, they’ve improved the replay system so they can check over those controversial calls in real-time – meaning fewer errors that could impact the outcome of a game.
However, it’s VAR in soccer that’s been absolutely huge – with Major League Soccer regularly using the system to help referees make better decisions – and overturn bad decisions. Although VAR has definitely received mixed reactions from both fans and players, it has undeniably added an extra layer of fairness to the game and taken out a lot of the human error issues. Although having to wait for 10 minutes before celebrating a goal can be annoying!
Wearable Technology to Track Performance
Pretty much every athlete – amateur and pro, now uses a wearable device that can track literally everything, from heart rate to fatigue, body battery, V02 Max and more. There are GPS tracking systems and biometric monitors that can help coaches and trainers improve a player’s performance – whilst still reducing the risk of injury.
In the NFL, teams use it to monitor their player workloads and adjust their training regimens accordingly. Then, there’s the NBA which uses devices like the WHOOP band for tracking a player’s recovery and sleep patterns. Even in horse racing, jockeys and trainers use tools that help analyse the speed of a horse, its endurance, and overall health, so they can fine-tune their strategies for the big race day.
Data Analytics and AI
Then, there’s data analytics which has completely changed how the various teams approach their strategies and player development. They use advanced analytics in baseball – where the traditional ‘Moneyball’ approach has transformed into something a lot more sophisticated and predictive. It’s also true of the NBA and NFL – that also rely on AI-driven analysis to try to decide what the best game plans are, etc.
Horse racing is another sport that’s benefited from AI-powered analytics. Trainers – and even bettors use machine learning algorithms to try to predict race outcomes – so they can make better decisions when looking at today’s horse racing cards.
VR and AR Training
VR is also an important training tool these days – in all different sports. For example, the NFL uses VR to help quarterbacks try to read defences and simulate various different in-game scenarios without any risk of injury. NBA players use it to practice their free throws and three-point shots – but in a virtual environment that is designed to replicate real-life game pressure.
It’s great for horse racing as well – because it means jockeys can simulate different race conditions, which can help them improve their decision-making skills before they even set foot on the track. It’s invaluable in the run-up to major events.
Smart Equipment To Help With Prevention
Sports equipment has also improved thanks to technology – and it’s made games even safer and more efficient than ever before. In the NFL, they’ve introduced smart helmets with impact sensors – which can help to detect any potential concussions – and thus improve player safety. In the same way, the NBA and MLB have also introduced wearables that can monitor the movement of players – and hopefully reduce the risk of injuries.
In horse racing, for example, there have been innovations like 3D-printed horseshoes and smart saddles that come with biometric sensors – and these have made it easier to monitor the health of horses. They let trainers detect injuries before they become too severe, which makes it better and safer for both the horse and the jockey.
Technology is the biggest game changer in the world – and in sports, that’s definitely the case.
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