7.3.3

Impact of Technology on Sport

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PROs and CONs of Technology in Sport

New technologies can benefit sport greatly. However, there are also associated disadvantages.

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PRO - lower chance of error

  • Using technology greatly reduces the chances of human error.
  • Photo-finishes, electronic timings and third umpire technologies (e.g. Hawkeye) are producing much more accurate judgements in sports.
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CON - unequal access

  • Technology does not give equality across sports. Those that can afford the best technologies have a huge advantage.
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CON - time consuming

  • It takes time to wait for TMO/Hawkeye type decisions to be made. This can make viewing boring.
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CON - new ways to cheat

  • Technology can offer new ways to cheat.
    • E.g. doping - performers can find new ways to dope and increase performance.
    • E.g. cricket bat tape - performers used tape that stopped "Hot Spot" detecting whether someone had edged the ball or not.

Impact of Technology for Officials

Technology can help officials make accurate decisions in sport.

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Less pressure

  • Technology can take pressure off officials making live decisions.
    • E.g. goal-line technology can help officials judge whether or not a goal has been scored in football.
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Better communication between officials

  • Officials can also communicate with each other during play through microphones.
  • This means that they can communicate decisions quickly by getting a ‘second’ opinion.
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Improved decisions

  • We can use ball-tracking technology in cricket to challenge decisions made by the officials.
  • Although this takes time, the decision process can be exciting as everyone is shown the decision from lots of camera angles around the ground.
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Too reliant on technology

  • One disadvantage is that officials can rely too much on the technologies.
  • Looking at too many slow-motion replays can slow the game down too much and change the intensity of the sport.

Jump to other topics

1Applied Anatomy & Physiology

2Movement Analysis

3Physical Training

4The Principles of Training

5Using Data

6Sports Psychology

7Socio-cultural Influences

8Health & Fitness

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