Tech in Sport
What does a heart-rate monitor measure?
Heart rate, measured in beats per minute (BPM).
What does BPM stand for?
Beats Per Minute.
Name the three areas we examined where technology has led to improvements.
Clothing, equipment and playing surfaces.
Name one technology used to assist sporting officials.
Video replay/VAR, goal-line technology, electronic line calling, photo-finish technology, electronic timing, communication systems.
What term describes activities involving very little movement or energy expenditure?
Sedentary behaviour.
Name two wearable technologies that could be used by athletes.
GPS tracker, smartwatch, heart-rate monitor, motion sensor, smart insoles.
Data or Technique? “A golfer's club face is too open when making contact with the ball.”
Technique. It describes how the golfer performs the movement.
Give two ways technology has improved sporting clothing.
Lighter materials, greater flexibility, moisture-wicking/breathability, improved aerodynamics, compression/support, sport-specific designs.
What technology can determine the winner when two runners cross the finish line almost simultaneously?
Photo-finish technology (electronic timing may also assist).
Give two examples of technology that could encourage someone to participate in physical activity.
Smartwatch/activity tracker, fitness app, online workout, treadmill/exercise equipment, fitness challenges or exercise programs.
An athlete's performance decreases late in games. Name one technology a coach could use and explain what information it could provide.
GPS tracker can provide information about distance, speed, movement and workload throughout the game, helping the coach identify changes as the athlete becomes fatigued. Also accept heart-rate monitor with an appropriate explanation.
Data or Technique? “A soccer player completed 18 successful passes but made 6 turnovers during the game.”
Data. These are measurable statistics collected about the player's performance.
Explain how one technological improvement to a playing surface could improve sporting performance.
Synthetic running tracks provide a more consistent surface with improved grip, allowing athletes to perform more efficiently and consistently. Also accept artificial turf, sprung floors, improved pool designs with a valid explanation.
An official has a poor viewing angle during a close decision. Which two qualities of effective officiating could be affected?
Positioning and accuracy. Poor positioning can make it harder for the official to see what happened and therefore make an accurate decision.
Explain how recreational technology use could lead to increased sedentary behaviour.
Spending long periods gaming, streaming, using social media or other screen-based recreation involves little physical movement and may replace opportunities to participate in physical activity.
A coach wants to improve an athlete's technique. Name one technology they could use and explain how it would help.
Video analysis allows the athlete's movement to be recorded, replayed, slowed down and compared with correct technique to identify areas for improvement.
A soccer team records more turnovers and missed passes at the end of a game than at the beginning. What might this data suggest about their performance?
Their performance appears to decrease later in the game. Possible explanations include fatigue, reduced concentration, poorer decision-making or reduced skill execution.
Give one advantage and one potential ethical/fairness issue associated with technologically advanced sporting equipment.
Advantage: May improve speed, accuracy, control, efficiency or safety.
Issue: Expensive technology may not be equally accessible to all athletes, potentially creating an unfair advantage.
Give two advantages and one disadvantage of using technology in sporting officiating.
Advantages could include improved accuracy, reduced human error, additional evidence, improved fairness or assistance with close decisions.
Disadvantage could include delays/interruption to play, expense, unequal access, technical problems, or some decisions still requiring human interpretation.
Explain why saying “technology makes young people inactive” is too simplistic.
Technology can have both positive and negative effects. Some uses may increase sedentary behaviour, while other technologies such as fitness apps, activity trackers and online workouts can encourage physical activity. It depends on how technology is used and the balance between active and sedentary behaviours.
An athlete has access to GPS, video analysis and a heart-rate monitor. Explain how each could provide different information to improve their performance.
GPS: movement, distance, speed and workload.
Video analysis: technique, body positioning and movement patterns.
Heart-rate monitor: heart rate/exercise intensity and response to training.
Coaches can use the different information to make informed changes to training and performance.
Explain the difference between data analysis and technique analysis, and give one sporting example of each.
Data analysis examines statistics/information to determine what happened. Example: A soccer player recorded 6 shots on target.
Technique analysis examines how an athlete performs a movement and can help explain why something occurred. Example: Video analysis shows a golfer needs to improve their follow-through.
“If technology improves performance, it must be good for sport.” Give two reasons why this statement may not always be true.
Any two well-explained reasons, such as unequal access/cost, unfair performance advantage, safety concerns, rules restricting technology, or technology changing the nature of the sport.
“Technology should make all decisions instead of human officials.” Give two reasons why human officials are still required.
Human officials are needed to interpret and apply rules, make judgement calls, communicate decisions, manage players and control the game. Technology generally provides additional information/evidence rather than replacing every aspect of officiating.
Explain how the same technology could have both a positive and negative impact on a young person's physical activity levels.
A smartphone could positively encourage activity through fitness apps, step tracking or online workouts, but negatively contribute to sedentary behaviour through prolonged gaming, social media or streaming. The impact depends on how it is used.