Impact of Technology on Sport
Physical Education: AQA GCSE, topic 7.3.3
PROs and CONs of Technology in Sport
New technologies can benefit sport greatly. However, there are also associated disadvantages.
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.
CON - unequal access
- Technology does not give equality across sports. Those that can afford the best technologies have a huge advantage.
CON - time consuming
- It takes time to wait for TMO/Hawkeye type decisions to be made. This can make viewing boring.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Test yourself on Impact of Technology on Sport
What technology is used in tennis to increase the accuracy of line calls?
Which of these is a criticism of the use of technology in sport?