Technology in Sport Flashcards
Explain how technological developments in equipment design have had a positive impact on sports performance.
New materials - Lighter materials used in equipment have improved performance, - carbon fibre bikes, graphite tennis racquets & golf clubs.
Aerodynamic design - Cycle helmets, Formula 1 cars, skis have attributed to faster times.
Headgear in boxing was adopted to provide protection from head injuries
VAR
Timing gates
Explain how technological developments in sports clothing have had a positive impact on sports performance
Clothing can now be designed to reduce friction (air, water). Tech swimsuits/running suits use range of technologies to help cut down on drag & improve oxygen efficiency
Compression clothing encourages blood circulation & aid recovery after injury
Research into fabrics has created breathable sports clothing, waterproof & can either prevent heat loss/overheating
Footwear constantly being developed to suit specific sports often lighter, cushioned reducing impact & adding support
Discuss illegal performance enhancing drugs used by some power athletes to succeed in sport and assess the risks involved.
Anabolic steroids:
Used by athletes often synthetic modifications of testosterone.
Help to repair muscle damage after intense training.
Help the athlete build muscle mass/muscle hypertrophy for explosive events.
Enable athlete to train harder & recover quicker from high intensity sessions, allowing athlete to train harder & more frequently
Humans naturally produce HGH. Growth hormone released from pituitary gland mainly during childhood but at lower levels in adulthood.
Artificially produced hormone can be injected in adulthood to stimulate growth of bones, muscles & other tissues.
Can reduce body fat, increase muscle mass, strength and power.
Enhance muscle tissue repair/recovery of the musculo-skeletal system
Increased aggression - ‘road rage’
Increased blood pressure
Damage reputation
Disqualified
Win at all costs & pressure to succeed
Discuss the strategies sports organisations have implemented to counteract the use of illegal performance enhancing drugs in sport
WADA was established in 1999 - bring together various international & national governing bodies to address drug problem in sport
IOC established medical control system responsible for drug testing since the 1968 Games.
IOC can legislate against what is on their banned list. IOC have a lead role, their list is adopted by most other sports
Rigorous testing in & out of competition/season
Regular urine testing, following set protocols in trustworthy establishments.
Regular blood testing following set protocols
Discussion points:
Corruption within governing bodies.
State sponsored programmes, e.g. Russia.
Lack of funding/direction of funding
Identify types of technological equipment used by officials to assist with the decision-making process. Evaluate the use of technology by officials in sport.
Hawkeye, goal line tech, snicko referral process & VAR
Advantages:
Helps officials communicate with each other - used to support officials who’re in field of play & may require second opinion
Less pressure on official to make final judgement/less post-match criticism
Timing & measurement more accurate
Becomes difficult to blame referee for playing ‘favouritism’ or being ‘paid off’ for certain games
Apply laws consistently - ensures correct decisions made/fair competition & less controversy & players more confident in decision making process
Disadvantages:
Artificial breaks in continuous activities – football harder to use as result. Use of technology in some sports can slow down speed of game
When & how much to use, how far back can official go
Some calls can’t be verified by replay system ‘too close to call’ sports officials still rely on own judgement
Officials using technology can still be wrong & technology can’t be used for everything, subjective judgement still needed
Discuss the role of technology in the preparation of elite athletes in the 21st Century.
Advantages:
Alter training environment - e.g. hypoxic chambers, get altitude effects of training/live low, train high
Monitor, evaluate & review performance, e.g. prozone, Dartfish, Stat sports
Facilities have had impact on some team sports, e.g. 3G/4G pitches have speeded up game
Prosthetics made for athletes with specific disability. Wheelchair devices used in sporting activities have become more sophisticated
Clothing - includes valuable properties, e.g. strength, flexibility
Disadvantages:
Could lead to increased injury or violence/shorter careers, e.g. use of shoulder pads, ergogenic aids, making players bigger, fitter & more powerful
Not an ‘even playing field’: can be seen as unfair advantage for those that can afford it, e.g. trained staff & advanced equipment. Can be very expensive, depending on wealth of the player, sponsorship deals/developing countries, sports suffers, no investment. For some athletes, they don’t have access to high tech equipment or specialist coaching, as it is not equally available to all
Too focused on stats , planning & prep - losing spontaneity & natural talent
Explain how a coach could use technology to improve performance within the training and competitive environment
Specific Apps to monitor progress, keep track of athletes - allows for more control, understanding & success
Helps the coach to prevent player burnout, reduce risk of injury, enables coach to make informed decisions & refine technique, where necessary
Variety of products aimed at improving athletic performance - monitor athlete’s health e.g. measuring work rate, resting rate
Discuss the advantages & disadvantages of the use of technology on an athlete’s performance
Advantages:
Gives performers competitive edge, helping athletes refine techniques & perform better
Video feedback - analysing technique, specific software can be used, e.g. dart fish. Areas for improvement identified & athlete can work on improving weaknesses
Enables athletes to perform better & avoidance of injury - development of high-tech suits & clothes to optimise performance. E.g. reducing drag/fluid resistance, helping athletes to thermo-regulate efficiently
Disadvantages:
Overemphasis on fitness development, leading to uniform athletes playing many team games
Unfair advantage to athletes who can afford technology & team of sports scientists
May lead to cheating, reducing traditional ethic or nature of the sports/could lead to “win at all costs” mentality
ICCUVF
Outline how advances in technology can aid improvement in an athlete’s performance
Revolutionised sport, aid improvement - increased comfort & safety
Clothing means athlete can remain cool, warm, well ventilated, depending on requirements
Technological development has improved the facilities athletes have access to
