Technology has had a significant impact on various aspects of the human society in the recent years. The world has rapidly changed, and people are getting information quicker than before with communication being more directly and efficiently. As such, technology has continued to revolutionize various aspects of the society including healthcare, education, business, government, and even sports. While it is not easily evident, the impact that technology has had on sports is massive. Many processes in the sports sector are now quicker and easier. Additionally, the increased use of technology in sports has seen more attention and revenue increase in the sports sector. It is, however, important to appreciate that the sporting industry has come a long way since the mid 20th century. The introduction of technology in the sporting arena has had a tremendous impact on the morale of the fans, enhancing the profile of the athletes, and even improving the training methods. Digital technology and modern popular culture such as smart helmets, virtual reality, and social media among others have revolutionized sport by making it more competitive and also increasing its revenue.
Smart Helmets
One of the significant problems that have faced the sports industry over the past is the problem of the concussion. The National Football League (NFL) and the National Hockey League (NHL) have witnessed many cases of players suffering from concussion as seen in the case of Will Smith's movie called ‘'Concussion'' that was based on true life events in the NFL and NHL (Rasli et al. 2015). The problem of concussion has had a long-term impact on the players which has therefore prompted authorities to take action. Former NFL players have also filed class action lawsuits against the NFL for their failure not only to protect the players but also for concealing valuable information about the effects of the concussion. Therefore, these problems have prompted both the NFL and the NHL to introduce new methods and policies geared towards reducing the cases of concussions among the players. Most of the helmets that were worn by these players, in fact, played a role in promoting the head injuries. It is in this regards that the smart helmet was invented. The main aim of the smart helmets is to reduce the risk of attaining a head or brain injury. The inventors achieved this by introducing sensors and magnet technology into the helmets. The sensors have an important role in detecting and subsequently dispersing the force of the collision. On the other hand, the magnet assists in spreading and absorbing the resultant force of the collision.
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Additionally, Rasli et al . (2015) noted that once the impact of the force is made on the helmet, the staffs on the sideline receive a notification of the collision using wireless means. As such, they get an opportunity to perform any relevant diagnosis with regards to a concussion in real time. Therefore, the medical team will determine whether to take the player off or to allow them to continue if they are not severely injured. The technology has taken root in the NFL, but with continued development, it is prospected to be used in similar sports with an immense risk of traumatic head injuries such as hockey, snowboarding, skiing, and rugby among others. The importance of this technology is that it saves lives and ensures that players continue staying in the game.
Virtual Reality (VR)
VR technology is another which is continuing to take shape and revolutionizing the sports industry. Ochi et al. (2016) noted that the technology employs the use of virtual reality headsets or in some instances the multi-projected environments to generate real sounds, images, and different sensations that act to stimulate the physical presence of the user in a virtual environment. Many savvy sports organizations have begun to incorporate this technology especially in training the athletes and assisting them in avoiding injury. For instance, Fox Sports, a renowned sports media outlet signed a five-year deal that would enable NextVR, a virtual reality company, to produce and broadcast live sporting events. It is critical to appreciate that the VR is a virtual three-dimensional generated by a computer. For a user to experience it, they must wear a headset or a helmet with a screen that is built-in that act to deliver visual and audio stimuli to the user.
Examples of sports that have since adopted the virtual reality include the NFL teams which have resorted to using the technology to train their players in a process known as the additional mental repetitions. Sports such as the Major League Baseball and the NFL are using the technology to train the referees and the umpires. The technology is also used to detect the possibility of a head injury such as concussion in footballers by the use of eye-tracking data. Fans can also benefit from this strategy through the invention of the virtual reality video games. Broadcasters on the other hand such as the aforementioned Fox Sports can get an opportunity to stream live games in virtual reality and also engage in the sale video tickets for live games.
Technology-Assisted Match Officiating
Referees, umpires, and linesman have a difficult job of making the right decisions and calls in the course of the match. Such decisions especially the wrong ones can negatively impact the outcome of the game. Bal and Dureja (2012) appreciated that it is a very sensitive area as seen with the huge number of match officials who have been presented before a panel to give a reason for their controversial decisions. The match officials are human beings, and in the full realization of this, sports organizations have started to introduce technology in a bid to increase accuracy in decision making. FIFA, for instance, allowed the use of the goal-line technology in the 2014 World Cup competitions. As such, the technology helped the referees to determine if the ball had crossed the line to count as a goal (Bal and Dureja, 2012). Another technology that is also being widely incorporated into soccer to help the referees make the right call is known as the video assistant referees (VAR). It helps the referee in reviewing certain events in the match that they could have missed including goals, penalty decisions, direct red card incidences, and mistaken identity among others. Through cameras installed in the pitch and the video footages, the VAR can review these incidences ensuring that the right decisions are made.
Digital and Social Media Platforms
Digital and social media platforms are both technologies and modern popular culture that has played a significant role in revolutionizing the sports industry. Improvements in this platform have extensively enabled sports coverage than ever thought before. Sports events can be covered everywhere, live, with a possibility of full-replay (Lim et al . 2015). Before the inception of these platforms, when one missed a big game, they would have to wait the next day to read the results in a local newspaper or alternatively hear the news from their friends. However, with this technology, people can record, save, and replay the footages to have a real-time experience. Media outlets that broadcast sports events can now employ the use of technology in sharing information faster than ever before. News and updates can be sent to phones as soon as they occur hence giving the fans an opportunity to know what happens in the world of sports. The social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have given the fans not only quick access to information but also a way to connect with their favorite sportsmen. Such a connection thereby creates a sense of enthusiasm among the fans to attend the sporting events.
The internet has served as a platform that provides crucial data that can be used to improve the performance of the players (Lim et al . 2015). Information such as match statistics can enable the rival team to know what to expect from another team with regards to the areas of strength and weaknesses. Te coaches can also use digital software to track the tendencies of their players to formulate the best line-up depending on their opponents. Digital services such as live streaming have given the fans an opportunity to watch matches at the comfort of their homes. Teams can also advertise their merchandise such as jerseys through the social media and other digital platforms because they can access a large fan base. Therefore, the benefit that comes with this is that they will make huge amounts of money through online sales. Tickets can also be sold through similar platforms ensuring efficiency in allocating the seats in the stadium. Mobile applications that offer important information with regards to training, diet, and overall health of the players are now available, something that has revolutionized the sports industry and the experience of the players.
Equipment and the General Experience
Technology has played a critical role in changing the manner in which sports bodies can design their equipment and apparel. Equipment and apparel such as shoes, helmets, gloves, and pads are not only high-technology but also high-functioning. The experience that fans have while attending the sporting events is slowly changing. Ringuet-Riot, Hahn and James (2013) intimated that the scoreboards displayed on the stadia are now high-definition with several important features. Fans can also acquire wireless internet in the stadia with recreational amenities such as hitting machines and batting cages now available. The improvement in technology has given the athletes an opportunity to bolster their skills. With teams now having the ability to view their performance in the videos, they can improve both their techniques and forms accordingly. Video technologies ensure that both the athletes and coaches review their motions and plays during the game and make necessary adjustments.
Most fundamentally, technology has enabled the creation of stadia and sports complexes that are cognizant of the needs of the players and fans in equal measures. Ringuet-Riot, Hahn, and James (2013) illustrated that better architectural designs have ensured that fans can enter and exit the arenas with much ease. Also, fans can view the match without any obstructions from their fellow spectators. The stadia are fitted with CCTV cameras and other security features backed with technology that ensures the safety of thousands of spectators who have gathered to watch the match.
In conclusion, sports has massively revolutionized in the 21st century. Both the athletes and the spectators have benefitted in equal measures. Technologies such as smart helmet and VR technology have ensured the safety of the players and improved on their diagnosis in case of an injury. Others such as the goal-line technology and the VAR have assisted the referees in making the right decisions and promoted fairness in matches. Social media platforms, the internet, and the digital space have improved the experience of the player giving them an opportunity to interact with their fans. Teams have also benefitted financially through the sale of merchandise and tickets in this platform. Technology has also enabled the creation of better stadia and improvements in equipment and apparel, all which have significantly revolutionized the modern sports.
References
Bal, B., & Dureja, G. (2012). Hawkeye: logical innovative technology use in sports for effective decision making. Sports Science Review , 21 (1-2), 107-119.
Lim, J. S., Hwang, Y., Kim, S., & Biocca, F. A. (2015). How social media engagement leads to sports channel loyalty: Mediating roles of social presence and channel commitment. Computers in Human Behavior , 46 , 158-167.
Ochi, D., Kameda, A., Takahashi, K., Makiguchi, M., & Takeuchi, K. (2016, July). VR technologies for rich sports experience. In ACM SIGGRAPH 2016 Emerging Technologies (p. 21). ACM.
Rasli, M. K. A. M., Madzhi, N. K., & Johari, J. (2013, December). Smart helmet with sensors for accident prevention. In Electrical, Electronics and System Engineering (IHEESE), 2013 International Conference on (pp. 21-26).
Ringuet-Riot, C. J., Hahn, A., & James, D. A. (2013). A structured approach to technology innovation in sport. Sports Technology , 6 (3), 137-149.
