Advantages and disadvantages of technology
Technology brings benefits to sport, but it also brings disadvantages. Sometimes the technology needs to be embedded and improved before it is fully effective, often the problems only emerge after time. These tables highlight some of the advantages and disadvantages of technology in sport. For athletes Advantages Better performance – marginal gains make the difference Better medical care results in fewer injuries or faster recovery from injury Feedback from coaches is more focused, objective and helpful Improved kit is more comfortable, more efficient and safer Part of a team, not isolated
Disadvantages
Invades privacy Blurs lines between personal and professional time Availability and cost – makes sport and success exclusive to wealthy people and countries Tempts athletes and coaches into cheating or unfair practices Puts the sole focus on winning not athletic endeavour
For officials Advantages
Supports team approach so there is less pressure on individuals Information can be shared easily and quickly and stored over time Decisions and scoring are more reliable and accurate There is increased confidence and trust in officials
Disadvantages
Slows the game Not available at all levels of competition No longer trust people’s decisions Undermines respect for officials’ knowledge and expertise Undermines honesty, integrity and the spirit of fair play
For spectators Advantages
More engaged in the sport More informed about rules, players etc Have a direct link to athletes
Disadvantages
Detracts from actual play Reduces the atmosphere at live events Reduces interest in grass roots events that aren’t supported by technology Increases spectator/broadcaster costs Enables trolls to attack individual athletes
For sport generally Advantages
Increases participation Promotes new and alternative opportunities Supports less-wealthy sports to promote themselves Leads to more coverage and revenue Adds glamour Improves safety
Disadvantages
Detracts from intensity of physical activity Reduces emotional wellbeing that comes from escaping digital pressures/routines Increases costs to sports and participants Sponsors more interested in technology than sport or athletes
Impact of technology on coaches
A coach will need to have access to high end technology in order to help their sports people to train and perform at their highest level. This means coaches will need to stay up to date with current technology and be able to afford the required equipment. This means that coaches working with organisations that have a lot of money are going to be able to help to support their athletes to get to higher performance levels compared to coaches working with organisations with lower incomes which have less money to spend on technology.
Question
Identify one benefit and one problem of using technology to support disabled performers in sport.
Culled from https://www.bbc.co.uk/
