Technology in Sports

Technology in Sports

Introduction

In the last few years, technology has changed, and with each passing day, it’s improving according to the necessity of people. Sports all over the world are significant due to the evidence that technology in sports had evolved over the past few years and it has even brought a change in individual perspectives nowadays (Goldman 2015). This situation has apparently permitted them to enhance athletes’ performance in both pieces of training and in developing equipment, which supports them in becoming competitive. Nevertheless, technology is still not available in many countries; as it requires the availability of financial resources from stakeholders or companies, who can invest in it (Goldman 2015). Although many people criticize it, still consequences of technology will be positive for society.

Use of technology in sport

Decision-making

Decisions taken by the umpire or referee can impact the results of the match. In particular cases, the direction of the game might get change with one decision. In the past few years, technology is increasingly used in various sports, which does not always help in the decision-making process. For instance, different external bodies like coaches, commentators, and the, which are in the position of scrutinizing decisions, usually access the latest technology like a replay or slow motion play from different angles (Keller 2009).

In sports, the use of video technology is at the forefront of many discussions in the last few years (Keller 2009). Few think it as negative than positive, as games are taking a long time due to the inclusion of video referrals, whereas else some believe that many game officials depend completely on technology and that they face challenges in making their decision. This belief held that there are improvements, which are still to be done, and the same can be just viewed as a benefit for enhancing the right decision making, and as the result of that, coaches, players, and fans don’t move as hard it was done by (Keller 2009).

In the game of football, goal-line technology is increasingly implemented for the purpose of the track the position of the ball in connection with the goal line to remove the wrong decisions taken by the umpire. For example, FIFA had applied different goal lines technology like GoalRef, GoalControl, as well as Hawk-Eye which includes a high-speed video camera, and magnetic field-based technology (Keller 2009).

In the game of cricket, Hawk-Eye technology is used, which is a visual ball tracking software. This technology is employed in many Tests, Twenty20, and ODI matches since 2001 (Keller 2009). It also makes use of various smart replay technology for the purpose of recording camera feeds and for making them available in real-time, which helps the third umpire in taking the right decision in extreme situations like, disputed catches, no-balls, boundaries, and stumpings.

Ethical issues

There are different ethical problems associated with the use of technology in sports, and there are many who debate about the place of technology in various sports. Different technologies like video replay and goal-line technology used for decisions are applied on the field and often impact sports and how the game is played. Advancement in technology has provided benefits to people having a disability (Ethical Issues Related to Technology Use in Sport 2015). Changes related to wheelchair prosthetics, and much more lead people with different disabilities to take part in sports and this can be considered as a significant achievement.

The question which is often raised is how far the technology has gone. The highest ethical problem is linked with technology use in sports. It is important that technology should be utilized for enhancing the performance of games. It is true that audiences are interested in viewing improved performances; whereas else, athletes are interested in improving their performance. Performance improvement might go rare if the technology is not used in sports (Ethical Issues Related to Technology Use in Sport 2015). Nevertheless, if the technology results in unfair or unethical competition, then its use should be limited.

Another question raised is how the accessibility of technology has led to unfair competition. The ethical problems linked with technology use in sports cover-up access equity. It is true that obtaining technology is quite costly, mainly in the case of biomechanical analysis as well as physiological testing. Even though many types of equipment are quite expensive, and most of the competitors cannot afford to purchase technology, then, in that case, competition might go unfair, as there is inequity in technology accessibility. However, different sports competition includes clubs as well as athletes who can or cannot afford the use of technology. For example, major competitions like Champion League, A-League, etc. have a huge amount of money for accessing technology, and the same goes for leading individual sports like tennis and golf (Ethical Issues Related to Technology Use in Sport 2015). In the case of international competitions, they fail to have a similar type of equity. In poor developing countries, individual athletes fail to afford advanced technologies, as compared to athletes coming from developed countries, mainly from countries in Australia, America, and England that place a high value on sports.

How technology changes sport

Technology has assisted players and coaches in the field of education, quick recovery of athlete injuries, and their performance. Even coaches are upgraded, as previously they use while chalkboards, and now they use tablets for enhancing the ability to show play-by-play information of various situations. Coaches hold the ability to undertake side-by-side athlete comparison and the same help in imparting better coaching. The use of high-definition digital equipment permits coaches to see the right view and explore the mistakes with the aid of the frame option. Even athletes are taking benefit of advanced or new technology. For instance, the New Nike strobe eyewear supports players to gain a competitive advantage. This device is an integrated model, which permits the players to enhance their visual skills and ability to view better (Ringuet-Riot, Hahn, and James 2013).

Equipment is highly improved in various sports nowadays. In football, helmets are introduced for stopping subdural hematoma and skull fractures. The new 360, feature of the helmet is the flexible face mask, which supports absorbing the energy, which comes in front of the helmet. Technology has assisted in revolutionizing the way, in which one can design apparel as well as equipment. From uniforms to shoes to helmets to gloves and pads, sports equipment is higher functional and high-tech; going to any sporting event has become a different experience. As now scoreboards have also gone high definition, recreational devices like hitting machines and batting cages have become quite popular, and even fans have the accessibility to use Wi-Fi connection (Ringuet-Riot, Hahn and James 2013).

Increase use of technology has offered a better and more convenient opportunity for all athletes to quickly elevate their performance and skills (Ringuet-Riot, Hahn, and James 2013). The team now holds the ability to see and understand the videos and can learn different forms and techniques. These technologies help athletes as well as coaches in viewing the game motions. Similar technology can also be used in considering the opposing team.

With technological improvement, coverage of sports is gone quite extensive, like never before. In the past, viewers had to choose a few channels to see the match; now there are a plethora of alternatives (Rosandich 2008). A very platform, coverage is present, with a full replay of the match. In the past, missing any game implies that one has to wait for the morning when they can read the results in the newspaper. Now people can easily save, record or either replay the match footage.

Recommendations for addressing the issue

In the case of using technology in sports, the referee or umpire and other players of the sports should accept it. It can only be done, if the technology is used as an aid in game management, instead of used as a tool to administer the regulations or rules in the game. In the case of the ability of the athletes to adapt to the way, in which games are played, so does game management, which should work as a human function (Agarwal 2017). It is true that there is a need to clearly interpret as well as assess the infraction, relying on the surrounding situations, and the same can be undertaken with the help of technology. It is recommended that the right technology should be an aid for the umpire to improve the decision-making process (Agarwal 2017) further. It will also support improving match quality, lead to fair competition and improve the performance of players.

Conclusion

It is analysed from the report that various technologies are implemented successfully in different sports, and the same can enhance the environment of players and help the referee in promoting a fair game. In particular sports, illegal play, as well as foul play, is highly eradicated through the use of technology. The same supports attractive games for the players and spectators due to the contest determining it, without illegal tactics, but rather the emphasis is given to the performance and ability of players.

References

Agarwal, A. J. 2017. 3 Ways Technology Has Changed the Sports Industry. [Online].

Ethical Issues Related to Technology Use in Sport. 2015. [Online].

Goldman, S. 2015. The 5 Most Important Ways Technology Forever Changed Sports in 2014. [Online].

Keller, C. 2009. Is technology taking over decision-making in sport? [Online].

Ringuet-Riot, C. J., Hahn, A. and James, D. A. 2013. A structured approach for technology innovation in sport. Sports Technology, 6(3), pp. 137-149.

Rosandich, T.J. 2008. Sports Equipment and Technology, The Sport Journal, February 2008 Issue, The United States Sports Academy. [Online].