1. Socio-Cultural Issues Affecting Performance
Contemporary Issues
Modern Technology and its impact on elite level sport, participation, fair outcomes and entertainment

2. Learning Objectives Learning Objective:
Understand the impact of technology on sport
Learning Outcomes:
All: Describe the use of different forms of technology in sport
Most: Explain how modern technology has impacted on elite sport, participation, fair outcomes and entertainment
Some: Evaluate the impact of technology on elite sport, participation, fair outcomes and entertainment

3. Key Terms Modern technology Elite level sport Participation Fair play
Entertainment

4. Technology and Sport Technology in sport – is it cheating?
Overview of technology in sport
Technology in Sport
How technology has revolutionised training
Adidas miCoach, Google Glass and Future Technology in Sport | Fast Forward #4
Goal-line technology: Hawk-Eye explained
Exercise Physiologist Demonstrating VO2 Max Testing
What is a force plate? What does it measure?
Sports Science heat chamber at the University of Sunderland
Nike Sport Research: The Art of Science
Prosthetic Science
Gene editing and the future of doping in sport
Are athletes really getting faster, better, stronger? | David Epstein

5. Technology + Elite level sport
Access
It can help assess whether someone has the potential to be an elite athlete and which sports suit them or if they have the right physiological make-up
E.g. EIS / UK Sport test potential rowers using bone density and internal body fat measurements
It can help assess health through screening devices
Facilities
Sports Science units for physiological and biomechanical testing
E.g. Hypoxic training chambers
E.g. 3D lab based gait analysis
Specialised and improved facilities for able-bodied and disabled athletes – Bisham Abey National Sports Ventre - £2million for elite training and rehab facilities for 2012

6. Technology + Elite level sport
Equipment
Prosthetic devices for paralympians
E.g. springlite prosthesis for runners missing a lower limb
E.g. wheelchairs with sharply slanted back wheels for tennis players to allow quicker movement across court.
E.g. lighter rackets and protective gear that’s more durable enabling improved performance
Specially designed trainers and sports shoes for athletics
Precision hydration techniques to assess sweat content in sports people to work out the most effective tablet for each athlete to replace electrolytes lost.
Monitoring of exercise
E.g. Speed gates for accurate times
E.g. Spirometry testing – lung function
E.g. Vo2Max testing
Safety
E.g. harnesses / landing mats in gymnastics
E.g. improvements made to the safety standards of cricketers helmets after Philip Hughes died in 2014 after a ball struck him at the top of his neck
Ingestible computers transmiting data on a player’s vital functions such as BP, body temp.

7. Technology + Participation
Access
Improved access to buildings e.g. wheelchair accessibility and swimming pool hoists
Improved sports surfaces /facilities
E.g. 3G/4G astro
Sprung floors in sportshalls providing rebound or slip resistance, improving shock absorption and optimum playing conditions with protection from injury
Artificial lighting to allow evening matches
Equipment
Wearable computer devices measuring HR / amount of activity undertaken which can lead to more regular, efficient exercise and boost motivation to improve health and well-being e.g. fitbit, applewatch.
Apps / social media to give people workouts and information on how to train

8. Technology + Participation
Cost
Modern technology is expensive- leading to inequality for elite and recreational performers especially in developing countries
Lack of facilities, especially in certain countries and lack of financial means prevents some countries from hosting large sporting events.
However modern technology is not imperative at general participation level so it shouldn’t inhibit participation.
Range of alternatives to physical activity and sport
It’s greatly helped people with disabilities to safely participate in activities such as wheelchair basketball and skiing.
Other types of technology such as computer games consoles can make people more sedentary and less likely to take part
Greater access to watching sports on TV can also reduce participation.

9. Technology + Fair outcomes
Increased fair outcomes
Better timing devices – e.g. speed gates
Increased accountability of officials – eg. Hawkeye, action replay, video referee
More accurate decision making
Improved detection of foul play
Improved detection of doping
Limited fair outcomes
Access to modern technology can be limited
Performance enhancing drug testing technology cannot keep up with new drug development (gene therapy)
Pressure on officials due to the exposure and scrutiny of their decisions

10. Technology + Entertainment
Increased entertainment
Action replays
Multiple camera angles
Slow motion technology
Improved analysis
Punditry
Reduced entertainment
Interruption / delay
Adverts, video playback, analysis from pundits
Reduced live attendances
Cheaper / easier to watch on TV / internet / radio, especially with highlights and replays you can watch when it suits you