Technology is revolutionizing every life aspect, and sports is no different. There are many sports technology benefits, from improved game tracking to better player safety and enhanced fan engagement. There have been significant technological advancements in sports, and one such example is the NFL schedule.
Let’s find out the top 5 latest technologies that have been transforming the sports industry:
Sensors
Sports sensors are one of the greatest technological advancements in this industry. Athletes can attach these sensors in many places, from clothing to shoes and playing equipment.
Sport sensors do various tasks like supplying real-time game analytics and monitoring player status.
Some sensors, like the Zepp 2 in golf, are so sophisticated, providing 3D models of golf swings in real-time. Others like Easton Power Sensor are versatile, offering stats like direction, power, and swing speed.
Another example is Hawk-Eye technology, exploited in tennis and cricket and making its way to soccer. Taking 600 frames per second, Hawk-Eye allows accurate tracking of scores.
Athletes can track their sleeping patterns with sleep monitors, while heart rate sensors can assess breathing and pulse. Inertial sensors benefit injured players as they are excellent at human motion analysis.
While LPS sensors are superb at indoor velocity metric tracking, GPS ones are ideal for outdoors. Gyroscopes and accelerometers track position, speed, acceleration, and rotation.
Sensor tech is taking the sports industry by storm, with innovations continuously popping up to optimize new aspects.
Wearable Technology
Gone are the errored human-made judgments. Sports officials can now make timely and precise decisions thanks to GPS trackers and RFID chips.
Smartwatches allow athletes and fitness enthusiasts to track various aspects like calories, heart rate, and distance moved.
Can you imagine there’s even smart clothing? With smart socks, athletes can tell whether they are striking with their balls or heels. Helmets with head-mounted displays allow pit crews to maintain contact with race car drivers.
Video-Assistance Referee
FIFA World Cup 2018 was unlike any other, thanks to the game-changing capabilities of VAR. The tech is now a staple in soccer, with extensive application in leagues like the Premier League and UEFA.
This technology allows a team of referees to assess any mistaken identity, missed calls, and non-calls from the control room. VAR leverages next-level camera tech to assess goals, penalties, and the game as a whole, with a keener focus.
Though on-field human refereeing is crucial and exciting, it has its flaws. VAR helps to improve refereeing decisions and ensure that the best team wins.
Fan Engagement
Live Event Holograms are one of the latest technologies used in sports to engage fans. These holograms project a 3D image of athletes and entertainers in real time, allowing fans to experience a live event without being in the stadium.
Blockchain is another technology used to enhance fan engagement. This new technology allows for secure and transparent data records, like ticket sales, player contracts, and fan loyalty programs.
Biometrics is also becoming increasingly popular in sports, as it allows for the authentication of fan identities. This technology helps with ticketing, fan club membership, and digital payments. It ensures fans have a secure and personalized experience with their team or athlete.
AI-powered chatbots are also an effective way to engage with fans. These chatbots can provide detailed information about teams, athletes, and upcoming events. They can also answer questions and provide personalized recommendations, allowing fans to get the most out of their sports experience.
Reflexion
This innovative tool assists athletes in enhancing their mental cognition. It features the Edge, a portable tool that allows athletes to train their cognition regularly. You can mount the Edge can on a stand or wall.
Reflexion’s capacitive touch panels measure precision and response time to produce vital performance statistics. This information can help to pinpoint crucial areas for progress, plus strengths and weaknesses.
Reflexion is a vital skill for rehabilitation that could aid athletes in recovering from head injuries.
Winding Up
Sports technology has come a long way, and there is still more potential to unlock. Sensors, wearables, VAR, fan engagement technologies, and Reflexion are some of the latest sports technologies.
Each of these technologies helps to improve the overall sports experience, from enhancing performance to engaging fans. As new technologies emerge, the possibilities are endless.
