How Technology Continues To Influence Sports - Android

With the advances in technology, information is both easier and faster to obtain. Every day we exist in an ever-evolving technological revolution. Of course, sports have seen its fair share of technological change. Even though the impact that technology has had on sports isn’t always as plain to see, there are vast differences in the [...]

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The post How Technology Continues To Influence Sports appeared first on Android Headlines.

With the advances in technology, information is both easier and faster to obtain. Every day we exist in an ever-evolving technological revolution. Of course, sports have seen its fair share of technological change. Even though the impact that technology has had on sports isn’t always as plain to see, there are vast differences in the way sports is produced and consumed, compared to 15 or even 10 years ago. And the truth is that things will never be the same. Here are the ways that technology continues to have an influence on sports.

Everything is Online – Before the advent of the internet and when games were broadcast solely on broadcast and cable television. Watching a game meant being at the arena, watching it live on television, or setting your VCR to record it. Now the internet makes things easier for sports fans. As long as you have an internet connection, you can watch the game from anywhere. Missing games doesn’t mean that you can never see them again. Games and mobile sports news are now available on the internet 24 hours a day. Fans can also purchase subscriptions directly from major leagues. Additionally, fans have access to out-of-market games. A New York Knicks fan living in Dallas, Texas can choose to watch their team no matter who or where they are playing. Additionally, games and highlights live forever on the internet.

Athletes are outfitted with tech – As much as data drives business, data also drives athletic performance. The advances made by technology means that data about a player’s individual performance can be just a few clicks away. Athletes and trainers can employ devices such as GPSs, accelerometers and other data collection devices that record the individual’s distances, heart rate, velocity, exhaustion, hydration, and muscle activation to name a few data points. These metrics can then be used to design workouts that are tailored to the athlete’s needs. Data can also help identify when an athlete is exhausted during the course of a game. Off the field, trainers are able to make note of an athlete’s neurological function and even sleep patterns. This actionable data helps to produce better, more efficient athletes.

Fantasy Sports – Yes there is certainly a geeky aspect of fantasy sports from which it may never be divorced. However, over the years, fantasy sports has become a billion dollar facet of the sports industry, all facilitated by technological advancements. Fantasy sports allows sports enthusiasts to further enjoy sporting competition by allowing them to compose leagues filled with each fan’s choice. The on-field achievements of the selected players help the fans rack up points. Additionally, up-to-the minute reporting helps to quickly decide league winners. As lines.com explains, sports’ fantasy component has helped to attract more fans as well as provide other means of interaction.

Ticket purchases – Acquiring a ticket for a sporting event meant waiting in line at a ticket counter sometimes for hours if the event was a popular one. Many times, the event would be sold out even before getting to the window. This meant that would-be attendees usually had to resort to scalpers. Putting it simply, buying tickets was a hassle. While technology hasn’t completely eliminated any of these issues, it has simplified the task of ticket purchasing, making it more accessible and efficient. Fans are now able to purchase tickets online. Some websites make the process even better by helping users secure cheaper tickets. Conversely technology also facilitates fans sell extra tickets they no longer need. All these technological advances mean that there is a more equitable distribution of tickets and a greater cross section of fans are able to attend games.

On-field, On-court technology – Technology has made a huge impact on how games are played around the world. The introduction of ingame technology has made games fairer. Tools like instant replay, while long a feature enjoyed by TV audiences, are increasingly being utilized by officiating crews. In the NBA’s 2007-2008 season, the league first implemented the use of instant replay, allowing referees to make decisions on how to assess various fouls and also to decide whether a made basket was a two- or three-pointer. Instant replay has been used in gridiron football, tennis, and cricket. More recently, instant replay in the form of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) was used for the first time in the 2018 FIFA World Cup to help assess whether the ball crossed the goal line.

Through technology, sports’ stakeholders have always sought to bring competition closer to fans, to make it more watchable, to have athletes achieve their highest potential and to make the games as fair as possible. There is no doubt that those who have an interest will continue to implement technology as a means of further achieving these dreams.

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