Sports And Technology
Sports And Technology
Introduction
The world of sports has changed for the past years and continues to change due to technology. The use of technology has made an impact on sports. Technology plays an essential role in sporting. Technology has led to development of new inventions and innovative ideas that have transformed sports globally. Most of the sports popular today would not have existed if it were not for technology. Technology led to development of various tools used in sporting like instant replay and headsets for coaches. It has also led to development of wireless microphones referees use to mix up words. Technology development has led to development of other technologies that have changed sports globally.
Technology has replaced instant replay with radio frequency identification technology (RFID). RFID can transmit accurate coordinates of the players and balls within few seconds. The RFID technology can be used to calculate movement, speed and force of impact. Implementing the RFID technology will change sports as it will eliminate guess work in officiating of matches. RFID technology will generate instant data and provide accurate results. Some countries and teams have started using RFID technology such as European Rugby teams because of its benefits. Further, technology has changed marketing of sports and clubs and increased revenue in the sports industry. It has also changed communication and interaction between fans, clubs and players.
How technology has changed sports
Different technologies have been developed to improve sports and the sporting industry. RFID is the most common technology in the sports industry as it has changed different aspects of sports. The RFID technology has been used in other industries and has proved effective in tracing and monitoring of goods and products. RFID has provided real time information through the readers. As a result, companies have determined the effectiveness of RFID technology in changing sports (Wyld 2006). Innovative firms have started to examine the application of RFID technology in different sports. The companies have examined the application of RFID technology in golf. Playing golf is not easy as players spend a lot of time searching for balls and also playing. This has affected their performance.
RFID technology will transform golf in different ways. Companies such as Radar Golf have determined the application of RFID in golf. The company has developed a golf ball with RFID technology. The ball has a RFID tag inside its center. The ball can be used in tournament plays as it complies with standards set by the United States Golf Association. The firm’s Ball Position system is developed into a handheld unit or a RFID reader that transmits radio frequency signals and searches for the ball. The Ball Positioning Technology has a detection range of almost 100 feet. The company started marketing the system in 2005. The company has decided to certify the technology to other firms that manufacture golf ball. Therefore, advancement in technology will enable companies to enhance balls using the RFID technology (Madigan & Delaney 2009).
Moreover, RFID technology has transformed soccer in the world. The Erlangen, Germany-based Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits developed an RFID based system to change the soccer field. The system gives a whole visibility to the soccer field. The ball and a shin guard on every player have been fitted with RFID chips. Also, readers placed in different places examine the field and reads the position of the players and ball. The system will enable referees solve problems using data generated by the RFID. Refers can call disputed goals and off side penalties. Further, the RFID technology will enable spectators access the performance metrics of football teams and players. FIFA decided to use the RFID technology in soccer, in 2006, (Ross 2010).
Further, RFID will change racing by adding value and visibility to races. RFID technology has been applied in marathon races. The ChampioncChip encouraged the use of RFID chips in 1994 Berlin marathon. The company attached the chips to athletes. The company tracking device has been used by road races, cyclists, cross country skiers and other players in different events globally (Ross 2008). The tracking device utilizes passive RFID technology. The device has antennas developed into a mat over which players should pass. This provides real time data regarding real net time for the athletes. It records the start and finish time. The race tracking device has been used in a wide range of marathons including New York City marathon. More than 5000 runners crossed the 36 meters wide starting line at the Verrazano Narrow Bridge. It was also used in 2000 in Broloppet Half Marathon. In this case, runners raced across the bridge. A total of 79,837 athletes were tracked using the ChampionChip. Managers have appreciated the use of RFID technology in races as it has transformed racing in the world. Judith Donohue Commented on marathon technology and acknowledged the use of technology to track athletes during the marathon (Wyld 2006).
RFID technology has also been implemented in motor racing. Texas Instrument manufactured the Race Timer systems for use in motorcycle racing. In this case, an RFID transponder is placed on the athlete chest protector or the front fender of the motorcycle. The system has changed motor racing by providing real time information about motor races. Before the development of the instrument, people depended on manual recording and scanning bar codes. The bar codes were attached on the helmet. The implementation of the Race Timer systems in motor racing will increase the number of athletes and events. The number of motorcycle events will rise considerably in the future because of the Race Timer system. More than 1000 riders will participate in ever event (Wyld 2006). Indy Racing League (IRL) has adapted the RFID technology to improve the recording of data and generation of information. Active transponders are positioned in the nose of Indy car, and antennas are placed around the track and inside. The RFID technology can differentiate more than two race cars passing a single point within 10,000ths of second of each other. The RFID technology has a speed of more than 200 miles per hour and this makes it easy to distinguish the race cars. The system permits real time tracking of the races over the internet for all Indy Racing league races. For instance, the system is used in Indianapolis 500 race, and the antennas are placed in the track surface in the Indianapolis motor speedway and Old brick yard. In addition, NASCAR has also implemented RFID technology to track tires utilized by the racing teams in its races.
The system has enabled centralized control of the Good year tires utilized in NASCAR events. This has allowed a playing field between the teams and facilitated control of tire stock. NASCAR used bar code labels to track races and tire inventory. However, the bar code label proved ineffective as they could be deleted (Sullivan, 2005). With the RFID technology, all race officials utilize handheld readers to scan cars and pits. This ensures the officials have an accurate number of tires before, during and at the end of the race (Swedberg, 2005). RFID has also transformed slow speed races. RFID is used in pigeon racing. Before, the introduction of RFID, officials had to catch pigeons and read the identification number on the metal rings. Today, the officials have attached RFID on the legs of the bird using plastic band. The antenna is placed on the course from the starting point to the finishing point (Ujihashi 2007). Technology, mobilizing sports and management of sports
Technologies like RFID have changed the management of the arena and will continue to change. RFID has improved ticketing for matches. The technology growth has led to incorporation of RFID chips into a paper form ticket. This prevents counterfeiting and enhances security. In addition, it prevents the black market for prized tickets. Also, the integration of RFID chip into tickets has facilitated quick entry into sports venues. FIFA used RFID ticketing in 20-6 world cup in Germany. The use of RFID in world cup in Germany in 2006 is considered the biggest use of RFID in ticketing in history. It had 12 venues, 64 games and 3.5 million tickets. FIFA had used RFID tickets in 2005, in its confederations Cup in Germany., FIFA used the Philips Electronics MIFARE technology. The technology enabled ticket holders to enter the venue by sliding their tickets into fixed scanners placed at the entry of the venue. FIFA used the technology to prevent black market and control the crowd.
Preventing counterfeit is a problem in many events including World cup. The RFID technology has helped prevent counterfeit (Page & Thorsteinsson 2010). Tag-It RFID inlays were used in 2005 to prevent counterfeiting in tennis master’s cup. The event organizers used readers placed at the gates. The use of RFID technology prevented the purchase of counterfeit tickets. The spectators were required to purchase the tickets first and this facilitated entry to the stadium. In addition to that, the staff members had handheld RFID readers to check tickets inside the stadium to improve security (Fridell 2008). Other technologies such as RFID enabled smart cards will improve ticketing and payment. Several companies like Stadiacard have examined the effectiveness of the technology. Stadiacard several football clubs are working together to determine its effectiveness. Clubs like Liverpool have used the smart card since 2003. The club has installed readers on the gates to improve entry speed of season ticket holders. It has also used the smart cards to prevent resell of the tickets. The implementation of the technology by other clubs will change ticketing and payment (Hums, Barr & Masterlaxis 2011).
Technology and athletic training
Athletes need technology so as to train sucesfully. Researchers have developed the best apparel for effective performance. Injuries during sports have led to modification of various equipments such as shoes, helmets protective gears and baseball bats. Shoe technology plays an essential role in athletic training (Shogan 1999). The shoe type determines the performance of the athlete. Shoe manufactures have utilized shoe technology to develop specific shoes for every sport. The position of laces, materials used and sole increase performance. Also, technology has led to development of clothing for use in different seasons. The clothes keep athletes warm during a cold season without changing their movement (Jenkins 2003). Tracking technology has improved athletic performance by giving them a chance to monitor their time, speed etc. Tracking technologies include pedometers, scales, heart rate monitors etc. Equipments used by athletes during training have undergone technology developments. For instance, baseball bats and hockey sticks have undergone development to improve their performance. Further, training programs for athletes have changed with the development in technology. Athletes have used different technologies like the internet, DVD to improve training. Athletes can access any information regarding their training from the internet. Also, technology has led to development of gyms and gym equipment that help in exercising and training (Foran 2001).
Health researching sports
Being health is important in sports and athletes should always be health in order to achieve their goals. Athletes should engage in regular exercise and eat healthily in order to remain healthy. The increase in prevalence of chronic diseases has also affected athletes. Athletes should have the right BMI, blood pressure level, weight and other parameters in order to prevent diseases and improve their performance. As a result, athletes use the internet technology to research information concerning health. They research a wide range of health topics including chronic diseases. This has equipped them with adequate knowledge to make proper choices in life when it comes to their lifestyle. This has improved their performance in the field. Athletes can get information about diseases including cause, symptoms and prevention by searching the internet.
Social media and sports
Social media has also transformed sports and sport marketing globally. The development of social networking sites such as Face book and Twitter has enabled clubs and players to connect with their fans (Deardorff nd). It has facilitated communication between different stakeholders in the sports industry such as fans, clubs and players. Players, clubs, and fans can share information on the internet. Social media has eliminated geographical and time barriers and enabled stakeholders to access real time information regarding their clubs, players and fans. In addition, social media has improved marketing of sports across the world (Summers & Morgan 2005). Sports governing bodies have integrated social media technology in their marketing strategies in order to achieve their goals (Sutton, Hardy & Mullin 2007). The social media have enabled sports governing bodies, clubs and players to reach a vast range of people and market themselves effectively. It has led to strengthening of club brands and contributed to their success (Timmons & Blakely 2008).
Conclusion
In conclusion, technology has changed sports greatly. Technology has affected all aspects of sports including training, marketing, and health, playing methods and officiating of sports. RFID technology has changed all areas of sports. It has changed officiating of many sports including racing, soccer, rugby and golf. Also, RFID technology has improved ticketing, payment and management of sports. It has eliminated counterfeit tickets and facilitated entry to the stadium. Technology has influenced athletes training by advancing development of shies, clothes, and equipment and training programs. The social media have also transformed interaction between fans, clubs and players. It has also improved marketing of sports, clubs and events by enabling reach of diverse people. Technology advancement will continue to change sports as companies develop more technology applications for use in the sports industry.
Reference
Deardorff, D.L. Sports. Greenwood publishing group,
Foran, B. High-Performance Sports Conditioning:Modern Training for Ultimate Athletic Development. 2001. Human Kinetics, p1-367
Fridell, R. Sports Technology. 2008. Lerner Classroom, p1-48
Hums, M., Barr, C., & Masterlaxis. Principles and Practice of Sport Management. 2011. Jones and Bartlett publishers, p1-616
Jenkins, M. Materials in Sports Equipment. 2003. Wood head publishing,p1-407
Madigan, T., &Delaney, T. The Sociology of Sports:An Introduction. 2009. MC Farland, p1-332
Page, T., & Thorsteinsson, G. An Examination of the Impact of Modern Technology on Sport. 2010. LAP Lambert Acad publishing, p1-64
Ross, S. Sport Technology. Stewart Ross. 2010. Evans Brothers, p1-48
Ross, S. Higher, Further, Faster:Is Technology Improving Sport. 2008. John Wiley & Sons, p 1-34
Shogan, D.A. The Making of High Performance Athletes:Discipline, Diversity, and Ethics. 1999. University of Toronto, p 1-133
Summers, J., & Morgan, J.J. Sports Marketing. 2005. Cengage learning, p1-320
Sutton, W.A., Hardy, S., & Mullin, B.J. Sport Marketing. 2007. Human Kinetics, p1-539
Timmons, S.M., & Blakely, M.R. Life Style and Health Research. 2008. Nova Publishers, p1-217
Ujihashi, S. The Impact of Technology on Sport II. 2007. Taylor and Francis, p1-940
Wyld, D.C. Sports 2.0: A Look at the Future of Sports in the Context of RFID’s “Weird New Media Revolution. The sports journal. (2006):p1543-9518
Is this your assignment or some part of it?
We can do it for you! Click to Order!
