Modern Technology In Sport

Question 1

2 technological developments and how they increase participation

Answer 1

1) Floodlights- allow sport to be played during hours of darkness, increasing participation during winter
2) Synthetic surfaces- allow sport to be played all year round in different weather conditions. Increased quality of play so could increase participation

Question 2

How could ‘running blades’ increase participation

Answer 2

• increase participation of disabled athletes

- may enable disabled athletes to participate in equal competitions with able-bodies athletes (Oscar Pistorios)

Question 3

How could ‘safety equipment & clothing’ increase participation in sport

Answer 3

• increased safety (fluorescent clothing in cycling)

- increased comfort of sports clothing may increase participation

Question 4

How can ‘lawn darts’ increase participation in sport

Answer 4

-makes activities safer, for example javelin can be made accesible for children

Question 5

What piece of equipment could decrease participation in physical activity?

Answer 5

Segways- replace walking. This may have a long term negative impact on health

Question 6

How has modern tech affected general participation in sport?

Answer 6

• improved access to sporting facilities for disabled E.g. swimming pool hoists
• therefore increase participation

Question 7

How has modern tech affected general & elite level in sport (monitoring)?

Answer 7

• help assess whether someone (able-bodied or disabled) has potential to be an elite athlete, thus giving them access to to elite sport
• done through physiological testing

Question 8

How has modern tech affected general and elite level participation in sport (playing surface)

Answer 8

Increases

• Artificial and natural surfaces are of higher quality- optimum playing conditions (ELITE)
• enables play all year round in different weather conditions (GENERAL) and increases quality of play so may incentivise ppl to participate

Question 9

How has ‘improved equipment’ affected participation in general and elite level sport?

Answer 9

• improved equipment, use of composite materials to allow athletes to further improve performance. E,g. Hit harder, further and faster in tennis
• improved safety-lightweight, better visibility and better protection

Question 10

Example of equipment which has improved performance for elite athletes:

Answer 10

• Hypoxic chamber- oxygen content controlled to stimulate training at altitude; which increases oxygen uptake and so endurance
• biomechanical/3D motion analysis- increase effiency and prevent injuries in techniques

Question 11

Evaluation- arguements against modern tech in sport

Answer 11

1) computer games/ labour saving devices- ppl become more sedentary and less likely to take part in sport
2) very expensive , leading to inequality- Individuals/ NGB’a at an advantage? It can discourage participation
3) disparity between sport today and in the past- questioning if current achievements should even be compared with past ones