VIGEN BADALYAN'S AI
VIGEN BADALYAN'S AI
Technology is an integral part of our society. It is present in many areas; sport is inevitably one of them and is at the service of athlete performance and safety. Technological progress is permanent, and this phenomenon undeniably leads to new records.
The sport has evolved a lot in recent years, the performances are always more impressive, and new remarkable records are set every year, which are partly made possible thanks to the latest technologies.
The purpose of this article is to disclose the following sports-technology-related points.
- What is sports technology?
- What technology is used in sports and eSports?
- How is technology revolutionising the sports industry?
- What is the future of technology in sports & eSports?
What Is Sports Technology?
An area of technological sciences that focuses its efforts on creating and improving all the accessories and equipment that an athlete requires is known as sports technology.
The main objective of this is to improve the performance of athletes, whether they are high-performance or those who do it to feel good.
But this is not only applicable to the athletes themselves. Coaches or competition judges use sports technology to verify in detail all the minute aspects of a particular sport.
For example, high-resolution and high-speed cameras have already been implemented in the Olympic Games that allow each of the athletes’ movements to be reproduced very slowly. This way, more precise scores could be given by evaluating each activity in detail.
The new technologies in sports are also becoming the right arm of the referees, facilitating communication or assisting them in difficult decisions. They are also applied in systems to prevent, diagnose and treat sports injuries.
What Technology Is Used in sports and eSports?
Esports is a developing global industry in which experienced video gamers compete. Esports includes competitions in a wide range of video games where players can put their odds online. Thousands of spectators fill the stadiums to watch live games, and millions follow them on sports live streaming platforms.
Technological advancements have played a significant role in keeping this industry attractive, and they are one of the major forces driving this development.
The growing availability of smartphones
The growing popularity of smartphones has taken the eSports phenomenon to unprecedented heights. The availability of low-cost smartphones and falling data prices have accelerated the growth of mobile games.
Gamers can now get high-class gaming mobiles at low prices without compromising on camera quality, screen resolution, or other gaming-specific features.
Improved game hardware
Hardware development includes processors, displays, input devices, audio systems, mobile phones, streaming equipment, etc. Hardware developments have elevated the gaming experience to a new level, making it more immersive and realistic.
VR and AR
AR and VR have set out to radically transform the eSports industry with cutting-edge innovations enabling immersive and thrilling gaming experiences. These new technological developments have contributed to the creation of 3D game effects.
AR and VR have significantly changed the dimensions of the game. They contribute to the development of a fictional setting, stimulating the player's physical presence while providing them with an immersive virtual experience.
AI
No one would have predicted that AI would play an essential role in the gaming industry. Watching and analysing eSports tournaments enables data-driven decisions with the help of powered solutions by AI. Teams and individuals are actively using AI technology to improve their game strategies.
Blockchain
There is a widespread opinion that blockchain is only related to cryptocurrencies. However, it is also connected to sports. Blockchain will soon become an essential tool as it can allow quicker, more affordable, and new types of agreements and transactions in the sporting sphere. New digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies and NFTs, are brilliant examples of this.
4D Cameras
4D is one of the technologies that have the potential to become widespread soon since it gives a more precise understanding of what's going on in a match. The main usage advantage is for Video Assistant Referees. However, it can also be used for training analysis, for analysts on TV or just for regular viewers to catch more details.
How Technology Is Revolutionising the Sports Industry
Among the multiple benefits provided by technological advances in the sports industry, we can highlight different fields of action:
Increased performance
Technological advances have meant great change and advancement in professional competitions since it has allowed the limits of performance to be challenged. In addition to guaranteeing the show by improving the athletes' results, it has also contributed to improving their safety during sports practice.
More fair arbitration
Another advantage that the development of technology used in sports has brought can be found in arbitration. After the implementation of video arbitration or VAR (Video Assistant Referee), plays can be reviewed in real-time during a match. Communication between the referees has also been improved through headset and microphone systems. Although it is true that zero margins of error do not exist, these advances help to minimise mistakes in arbitration decisions.
Recovery and injury prevention
It enables minimising the risks of injuries and carrying out physiotherapeutic treatments that allow shortening recovery times so that athletes can return to compete in the shortest possible time.
The modernisation of assessment instruments has been a great resource in the field of sports management. Technological systems have been applied in physiotherapy, physical conditioning and rehabilitation.
Mass entertainment
Sporting events are one of the broadcasts that concentrate the most viewers. You cannot understand sports without fans, and it is that these events move large masses. Currently, these events can be followed in person and via streaming, thanks to the ott sports platform. Social networks and traditional media also play an essential role.
What Is the Future of Technology in Sports & eSports?
Sport and technology are concepts that go hand in hand. Predicting the future is not an easy task, especially after the speed at which new technologies and their uses evolve.
Sport has always been a present and necessary activity in our lives, and after the pandemic, the beneficial role it plays for our physical and mental health has become evident. Its practice has increased, and new companies and services linked to the sports industry are born every time.
According to the estimations, the sports tech sector will reach $30 billion by 2024.
The future of sports is uncertain, but what is certain is that it will increasingly play a more significant role in our lives and that the future holds many surprises for us.
Conclusion
Technology and sport could seem poles apart just a few years ago. But they have been strongly linked since the advent of the Internet of things (IoT).
No technology, even the most advanced, can replace the three essential ingredients for victory: the athlete's talent, the trainer's intelligence and long hours of training.
However, winning a gold medal without the help of the new technology in sports is no longer possible, as the difference between Olympic glory and anonymity is measured in centimetres or hundredths, even thousandths of a second.
Written by Lusine Manucharyan
Lusine Manucharyan is the content writer of Feedconstruct - the leading data-providing company. As a content writer, Lusine has the chance to combine her passion for sports with her skillfulness to create insightful and engaging content for both sports fans and industry professionals.