For a number of years now technology has been a vital part of sport, whether it be how we consume it as a fan to how the top level is performed, and that’s only going to continue.
We’re now blessed with how easy it is to watch and keep up-to-date with what’s going on. Likewise, decisions for professionals are more accurate, analysis aids performance and equipment has improved tenfold.
But what are the best ways in which technology has improved sport, so far…
The Fan Experience
The way technology has aided the fan experience can perhaps be argued both ways. For those sitting inside the stadium it has arguably hindered sport, contributing to lesser atmosphere as fans ditch the singing and excitement for videoing the action on their smartphone.
However, for those not there live, it is making access to sport easier than ever before. You can follow almost every fixture across any sport live, with minute-by-minute updates and in many cases even live streams.
If you’re a betting fan too, you can bet in-play from anywhere you like with a smartphone. You’ll find the likes of https://bettingapps.com/ have a huge volume of apps to play with, meaning you can even bet as you watch inside the ground.
This ease of access to the things we love about sport, means we can consume more of it no matter where we are in the world. And in this instance, that’s to be celebrated.
Player Performance
The way in which players train and perform these days couldn’t be more different to a decade ago, never mind before he Millennium and into the likes of the 1960s.
In the likes of NFL, players are microphoned up to listen to coaches, with playbooks and live analysis and statistics coming through iPads, all of which can be used in-play and then back onto the training field.
Every part of a players performance can be explored via the likes of Viper Pods, which are attached to vests and monitor heart rate and a number of other physiological aspects like distance run.
This can then be analysed and players can learn where they can improve and adapt performance.
Refereeing Decisions
It may be controversial but it also can’t be denied that for large parts refereeing decisions have been improved with technology.
In tennis and cricket, Hawkeye (https://www.hawkeyeinnovations.com/sports/tennis) has hugely improved getting tight decisions correct, while VAR is starting to make its way into soccer after being successfully trialled at the World Cup in Russia.
In soccer goalline technology has also improved the way in which goals are given, with a buzzer reacting within an officials watch when the ball crosses the line. This is helping make better decisions, which in top level soccer can be worth millions of dollars.
Technology to help referees will continue to improve. In rugby, simply hooking the referee up to a microphone has helped improve respect, while numerous sports now have the benefit of a video official.
