Until not long ago, people saw sports and technology as poles apart. While sports encouraged physical exertion and going out, technology was associated with sitting in front of a computer and reducing the effort.

However, the introduction of technology to sports has been a commendable journey. There were reservations from some circles, but technology has always found its way around with its diverse application.

Today, sports are inseparable from technology. It has improved the standards of the sports and added new dimensions. It has also provided an opening to endless possibilities and potential.

The Hawk-Eye technology in tennis, the DRS in cricket, and the Virtual Assistant Referee (VAR) in football are examples. They have improved the standards of the game and changed how we view sports.

Numerous gadgets help improve the performance of players and track their health.

Pros

There are many advantages of the application of technology in sports. Before using technology, most sports stats and performance charts were drafted from manually analyzing the training sessions and recording videos. Things have changed for the better with technology.

Improved Performance

The application of tech has improved the performance of athletes and sportspeople. Earlier, the training session videos were the only source of correction. The athletes and trainers used to record their videos and thoroughly examined their techniques.

It required a lot of paperwork and manual labor. It was also hard to spot a mistake as the videos do not provide proper insight.

The introduction of gadgets like GPS and sports vests contains sensors and tracking devices. These sensors thoroughly examine every set of muscles and their movements.

The sensors transmit the information to a tablet or mobile. The trainers and athletes can benefit from a real-time opinion and analysis of the requirements for optimizing performance.

Health

Athletes are injury-prone. It is so because of the exertion and intense activity that they go through. Every training session requires their complete focus and energy.

A human body has limits. Rest and recovery are as important as exercise. There were unfortunate instances of horrific injuries and even deaths of athletes during matches on the pitch.

The introduction of the state of the art technology like watches and sports vests has drastically improved the health standard and sports protocols.

Tech gadgets track and trace the aches and pains that an athlete experiences during training. These inputs help the trainers, athletes, coaches, and medical staff caters to their bodies’ needs.

Tech has also improved the diet and consumption of sportspersons. It has enhanced their performance and improved their productivity.

Accountability of Referees and Umpires

The use of technology in sports has increased transparency and accountability. Refereeing or umpiring is central to sports. Sports require a decision on the spot. Mediation is necessary for the smooth flow of a match and avoiding unwarranted situations.

However, to err is human. Some referees and umpires faced intense criticism for their wrong decisions. There were calls of corruption from the disadvantaged side. The introduction of technology like the VAR in football and DRS in cricket has been a revelation.

They have reduced the controversies. Sports are more transparent. The referee’s and umpire’s decisions are not the last calls. Technology is used to review on-field decisions. The decisions are also reversed if deemed incorrect.

Certainty of Rules

The principle of fair play in sports is vital. The certainty of rules is central to fair play. It cannot be the case that a referee calls to action as foul in one instance and ignores it in another. This breaks the flow of the match. It also reduces certainty.

The use of tracking and Hawk-eye technologies have added to the certainty in sports. It has compelled the concerned regulating bodies to revise and redefine the rules.

Less Room for Error

All the application of technology to sports has reduced the room for error. Some cameras take shots and observe the game from every angle.  The constant eye of technology has reduced the errors in the decision.

This has improved the standards of play. The mediation through technology is acceptable to most players on the pitch.

Shoulders the Burden with Humans 

Technology in sports has taken nothing away from humans. In fact, it has helped humans a lot. The referees and umpires had to face the criticisms’ brunt if a team or player was not happy with a decision.

Now that technology has increased v=certainty and reduced the room for error, it has shouldered the burden with humans.

Cons

Not all that glitters is gold.

There is no denying that the application of technology to spots has been a revelation and proved valuable. However, there are also some cons associated with introducing technology to sports.

Breaks Continuity

The beauty of sports is its intensity. It requires the body’s and mind’s complete focus. A little look away can cost a match, tournament, or career.

The review of on-field decisions takes time. It breaks the continuity of the game. In football, the VAR takes a lot of time. The DRS is also time-consuming in cricket. While this is a small con, it is one nonetheless.

Technology is Not Always Exact

While the decisions and performance have improved with technology, it is not always exact. For example, the DRS technology in cricket takes the previous matches and balls into account to detect the delivery path and bounce.

The decision is not always exact, and there is room for error. This has been a bone of contention in pundit circles.

Less Human Input

The use of technology has reduced human input. Technology views decisions as black or white. In contrast, humans can contextualize and reach a better decision. The less human input is also a drawback.

Summary

While technology in sports is far from the finished product, tech use in sports has been a revelation. It has improved the performance and health standards. It has increased the certainty and accountability of referees and umpires. It has improved the decision-making in sports.