modern technology in sport

Question 1

elite performance

Answer 1

strengths:
- access
- facilities
- equipment
- monitoring of exercise
- safety

= modern tech to make assessments e.g. assess bone density + internal body fat)

= monitoring training (e.g. health screen devices)

= in competition (clothing equipment etc..)

• prosthetic devices = ‘springlite’ = shock absorber

Question 2

general participation

Answer 2

strengths:
- access
- facilities
- equipment
- monitoring of exercise
- safety

weaknesses:
- cost
- alternative activities

Question 3

fair outcomes

Answer 3

strengths:
- better timing devices
- increased accountability of officials
- more accurate decision making
- improved detection of foul play
- improved detection of doping

weaknesses:
- limited access to modern tech
- PED testing can’t keep up w/ new drug development
- pressure on officials due to exposure + scrutiny of their decisions

Question 4

entertainment

Answer 4

strengths:
- action replays
- multiple camera angles
- slow motion technology
- improved analysis
- punditry

weaknesses:
- interruption + delay
- reduced live attendances

Question 5

access - elite performance

Answer 5

• provision of high quality facilities has improved: - the quality of training
• transport/ access
• e.g. wheelchair lifts
• made it easier for disabled athletes to use these facilities

= disability
= all-year round participation

Question 6

facilities - elite performance

Answer 6

• the use of modern facilities
• e.g. all weather pitches
• heat chambers
• altitude simulators etc..
• all help athletes to be in peak physical condition by improving the quality of their training

Question 7

equipment - elite performance

Answer 7

• the development of lightweight equipment
• e.g. graphite tennis rackets + carbon-fibre bicycle frames
  = greatly improved sporting performance

Question 8

monitoring of exercise - elite performance

Answer 8

• performance analysis can now be performed using:
• high speed cameras
• highly accurate fitness testing equipment
• motion-tracking software
• in order to inform training methods + carefully analyse performance

= monitoring health

Question 9

safety - elite performance

Answer 9

• safety devices
• e.g. safety helmets
• harnesses
• fail-safe mechanisms on weight machines
• means that elite athletes are less likely to injure themselves when participating

Question 10

access - general participation

Answer 10

• improved infrastructure around modern sporting facilities
• improved access for all parts
  = especially disabled parts

Question 11

facilities - general participation

Answer 11

• improvements to sporting facilities
• e.g. public facilties
  = helps increase participation rates
  = improves the sporting experience of users

Question 12

equipment - general participation

Answer 12

• modern equipment
• e.g. lightweight tennis rackets
• made participation easier for beginners
• also allow general pop to improve their performances
  = encourage participation

Question 13

monitoring of exercise - general participation

Answer 13

• personal exercise monitors allow people to accurately track their levels of physical activity
  = e.g. smart watches
• encourage participation + motivation for continued participation

Question 14

safety - general participation

Answer 14

• part rates have increased as sports are becoming safe to take part in
• e.g. improvements in equipment + facilities + surface conditions

Question 15

cost - general participation

Answer 15

• improvements to facilities
  = increase cost of running + maintaining them
• lead to increased access fees for the general pop

Question 16

alternative activities - general participation

Answer 16

• general improvements in tech have provided a range of alternate activities to physical activity
• e.g. online TV streaming has increased sedentary behaviour

Question 17

better timing devices - fair outcomes

Answer 17

• improvements in timing devices
  = allow more accurate timing in sporting events
• e.g. 100m sprint

Question 18

accountability of officials - fair outcomes

Answer 18

• the ability to review the decisions of officials
• ensures they are held accountable
  = encourages more accurate decisions

Question 19

accurate decision making - fair outcomes

Answer 19

• officials can use modern tech
• e.g. Hawk-Eye in tennis
• TV match officials in rugby
• to review play + make more accurate decisions

Question 20

detection of foul play - fair outcomes

Answer 20

• use of TV replays e.g. TV officials in rugby
• allows officials to review play + decide whether a foul has occurred
  = provides them w/ opportunities to reverse on-field decisions

Question 21

detection of doping - fair outcomes

Answer 21

new drug testing techniques allow officials to detect athletes who are using more modern doping techniques

Question 22

limited access - fair outcomes

Answer 22

• modern officiating systems can be expensive
  = not available to every sport/ club etc..
• increases the gap between popular + minority sports
• not available to 3rd world countries
• only used in some sports

Question 23

PED developing - fair outcomes

Answer 23

• new, sophisticated drugs + doping techniques are constantly being developed
• drug testers are always playing catch up
  = drug cheats can go undetected despite testing techniques

Question 24

pressure on officials - fair outcomes

Answer 24

• due to increased accountability of officials
• even more pressure on them to make the correct decisions
• modern tech e.g. multiple camera angles
  = allow poor decisions to be identifies
  = increased scrutiny

Question 25

action replays - entertainment

Answer 25

• reshowing action from a match immediately after it has happened
  = further increases enjoyment of spectators
  = can relive the moment

Question 26

multiple camera angles - entertainment

Answer 26

• viewing from different camera angles can give spectators gerater appreciation
• more entertaining
• e.g. show crowds’, managers’, teams’ reactions
• or multiple angles of a winning shot etc..

Question 27

slow motion tech - entertainment

Answer 27

• audiences can view a movement in more detail
• increase their appreciation for the skill

Question 28

improved analysis - entertainment

Answer 28

• more info is now available for analysts to review sporting events
• e.g. heat maps allow you to view areas on the pitch that a specific player covered during a match
  = gives greater insight into the event

Question 29

punditry - entertainment

Answer 29

• pundits have more info available to them as a result of modern tech
  = allowing them to provide more insightful comments

Question 30

interruption + delay - entertainment

Answer 30

• using action replays + slow motion tech
  = interrupts natural flow of the game
• sometimes means other action is misssed

Question 31

reduced live attendances - entertainment

Answer 31

• more entertaining to watch sporting events on TV
• incentive to attend live sporting events has decreased
• fans prefer watching from home as you have a better view of the action

Question 32

equipment

Answer 32

• lightweight wheelchairs
• cricket helmets
• golf balls
• carbon-fibre bicycles
• tennis rackets

Question 33

facilities

Answer 33

• all weather pitches
• floodlights
• safety harnesses
• zero-gravity treadmills
• climate control
• adjustable depth swimming pols
• underwater treadmills

Question 34

clothing

Answer 34

• lycra/ compression garments
• running trainers
• prosthetics
• hydrodynamic body suits

Question 35

computers + software

Answer 35

• cameras
• motion sensors
• hawk-eye
• fitness apps
• fitbit/ smart watches
• video technology

Question 36

modern tech aid elite performance

Answer 36

• assessment of potential/ screening
• injury diagnosis/ treatment/ rehab
• enhanced training e.g. hypoxic chambers, anti-gravity treadmills
• improved equipment e.g. lighter, more efficient, clothing = tennis rackets, prosthetics etc..
• player/ part monitoring = HR monitors to monitor performance
• sport science support = bio-mechanical analysis, physiological monitoring e.g. VO2 max, video analysis equipment

Question 37

increased participation - disabled people

Answer 37

• adaptation of mobility equipment
  e.g. lightweight wheelchairs for tennis, basketball etc…
• improved facilities
  e.g. hoists to enable access in + out of swimming pools
• enable safe exercise
  e.g. gym equipment used in wheelchair
• develop equip for users w/ specific needs
  e.g. basketballs/ footballs w/ bells inside for visually-impaired performers
• creation of new sports
  e.g. wheelchair rugby
• techno advances in prostheses
  e.g. specialised prosthetic limbs for specific activities e.g. running + rock climbing

Question 38

effect of devices on participation

Answer 38

• reduces time available for part
• provides entertainment, so physical not needed
• reduced physical effort by using devices
• used as a sub for physical activity
• participating in virtual sport/ watching online may inspire live participation
• devices may be used as fitness monitor/ online classes
• may increase knowledge of sport + improve performance

Question 39

has modern tech made sport fairer?

Answer 39

• helps officials make more accurate decisions
• reduces cheating + improved detection of foul play
• improved doping detection
• improved inclusion = allows disabled athletes to be included
• incorrect decisions can be overturned
• more accurate timing/ measuring devices

HOWEVER:
- some people may not be able to afford technology
- creates new drugs to avoid detection

Question 40

effect of modern tech on sports spectator

Answer 40

• ensures fair outcome e.g. Hawkeye
• increases entertainment
• 24/7 access = sport can be viewed anywhere. anytime due to internet etc..
• increases levels of performance e.g. enhanced prosthetics
• cause breaks/ delays = break the flow of the game + slows the sport down
• encourages cheating e.g. new tech develops drugs
• reduced live attendance = better viewing experience at home