Believe it or not, 2014 was a year to remember for technology. Why? Well, because the Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl, and the game against the Denver Broncos reached the largest digital audience ever recorded. That said, throughout the years, technology has impacted the sports industry, in particular, is massive — and it’s still growing.
The sports industry uses increasingly complex technologies to not only improve performances but limit injuries as well. The big question, however, is: “How has technology really changed the sports industry?” Below you’ll find three ways technology has changed the way we view sports, injuries, and data:
Digital Media: Digital and social media makes it easier than ever for sports fans to follow up with their favorite players through mobile apps, social media, and sport games. Because of this improvement, technology can now be used for sports coverage and updates. Plus, the coverage provided by media stations is live and in full replay. Two decades ago, if you missed the big game, there was no way for you to see it again – unless you recorded it on your VCR. This usually meant fans would have to wait for the paper to come out the next day to read all about it or discuss highlights with a friend.
With technology, however, fans are not only able to watch the game as many times as they’d like, they can pause the game and come back to it later. Social media has also created countless opportunities for fans to communicate with players like Russell Wilson. Thanks to digital platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, fans enthusiasm and contribution to their beloved teams skyrocketed throughout the years. Fantasy sports are also another way fans can keep track of players’ progress and have a better outlook of their favorite teams and players.
Injury Prevention and Recovery: Injuries — like muscle tweaks and torn ligaments — can’t be avoided in any sport, especially in contact sports like football. In fact, this could be one reason why athletes are paid millions each year: They put their bodies on the line for entertainment purposes. While athletes know the risk of them getting injured is high, they never plan for it.
Thanks to emerging innovations and technologies, team doctors and other physicians can now make sure their athletes recover faster than ever before. This means that players will not only be able to play longer but also to take the field without the fear of getting injured in the middle of a play. So, if a player tears their ACL in the middle of a play, for example, technology can be used to determine the strength of the athlete’s muscle and predict the healing outcome through robotic use. That said, as technology continue to progress, athletes should rest assured knowing that their careers can be prolonged thanks to these devices.
Experience and Team Apparel: Technology has revolutionized the way teams design their apparel and, in some cases, their equipment as well. Gloves, visors, helmets, shoes, and uniforms all are more high tech than ever before. That’s not the only thing that’s changed, however. The overall experience of going to a football game is also different. Scoreboards, for example, are now in high-definition and in real time. Fans now have access to things like Wi-Fi, internet, and other recreational devices.
The increase in technology has made the experience one to remember and allows athletes to perform at the highest level, which is important when it comes to avoiding injuries. One of the biggest improvements in team apparel is the new design of smart football helmets. With concussions becoming a growing concern in the sports industry, something needed to be done; thanks to technology, a new wave of helmets was designed. Although injuries things like concussions can’t be avoided in sports like football, technology has made way for some much-needed improvements to the sports industry to help minimize the possibility.
