Six game-changing technologies in the sports industry
made a huge impact on different industries, including sports. Technological advancements have improved decision-making in different sports that positively impact the final result of games.
Technology has improved the accuracy of decisions taken in different sports, helping referees and other officials to reduce human errors. Current technology used in sports like tennis, soccer, golf, cricket, and others is completely different from the last two decades.
The technological evolution in sports has also played a key role in improving the fan experience. Also, it has helped the sports business to grow worldwide, and with more technological advancements, it will continue to expand.
Without further ado, let’s find out some game-changing technologies in the sports industry.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence has impacted the sports industry big time in the recent past. With machine learning capabilities, AI allows stakeholders and professional sports teams to improve fan engagement, marketing tactics, and evaluation of players. Also, sports betting platforms are leveraging AI-based techniques to analyze data.
The AI-powered technology also allows teams to gather relevant and detailed data related to the performance of athletes. It helps teams to create effective strategies accordingly that can help athletes to improve their performance.
The role of AI also holds special significance in different sports to help players improve their game. The AI-enabled soccer ball tracking is a perfect example in this regard. This automated ball-tracking technology allows soccer players to improve their skills. It helps players visualize the ball’s movement when passed from one player to another. So, it helps them figure out their techniques’ flaws and improve them.
According to experts, AI will play a key role in helping teams identify top athletes across the globe. Also, it will make projecting outcomes easier in the sports world.
Augmented Reality
Another technology is Augmented Reality (AR), which greatly impacts the sports industry. It has completely transformed the in-stadium and at-home experience for the audience.
AR ensures an immersive experience for people watching matches at home and in stadiums. It uses cameras placed in stadiums to generate 3D recreations. It helps to overlay live gameplay, which also helps officials to make the correct decisions.
Neuroscience
In sports, improving intellect is as important as improving physical capabilities. Neuroscience merged with proprietary technology helps athletes improve the functioning of the brain. In this way, athletes can make better decisions during the game, which also positively impacts their performance.
Applied neuroscience helps to analyze the condition of the brain and upgrade it accordingly, so it can help athletes to enhance their mental capabilities. You can consider the example of the Halo headband in this regard. This gadget was designed for athletes to generate pulses that can keep neurons together so that it can train the athlete’s minds for a big match.
Video Assistant Referee
Another promising technology in the sports industry is the video assistant referee (VAR). It was first introduced in the soccer game between France and Italy, and after a successful experiment, it was used in the FIFA World Cup as a pitch-side monitor.
Goal-line technology was used in soccer matches before VAR to check whether the ball passed the goal line or not. It helped match officials make the right decisions.
The adoption of VAR was seen in a game of the FA cup in England. It also encouraged other leagues, like La Liga and Champions League, to opt for this technology. According to FIFA, VAR can be a game-changing technology that can impact decisions like penalty kicks, offsides, and validation of goals.
Athlete’s Equipment and Clothing
As a result of technological advancements, there are different wearable tech and clothing available for athletes. It allows athletes from all professional sports to maintain their fitness by keeping track of calorie intake, heart rate, and the total number of steps covered. Smartwatches are the perfect example that you can consider in this regard.
Another example of technological advancements in sports is “smart clothes.” It helps assess the athletes’ breathing patterns, heart rate, and weight distribution. Clothing can greatly impact athletes’ performance because it helps them monitor key health metrics. In this way, they can modify their dietary patterns and workout schedule.
Snickometer
Although cricket is not a famous sport globally compared to soccer, it involves massive use of technology. Snickometer or edge detector is one of the primary technologies used in cricket. It helps detect whether a ball has taken the edge of a batsman’s bat or not.
Snickometer uses sound waves to analyze if the bat has made a connection with the ball or not. By measuring the soundwaves through stump microphones, umpires can make a correct decision with video streams.
Conclusion
Technology has significantly impacted the sports landscape. From soccer to golf to cricket, you can see the use of technology on a large scale in almost every sport nowadays. Technological developments have not only ensured fair decision-making in sports but also enabled athletes to improve their performance. Sports governing bodies like FIFA, ICC, and others are responsible for incorporating cutting-edge technology that can improve the standard of sports.