10 Ways Technology Makes Sports Better

Technology is shaping every aspect of our lives. From how people book their travel to how they shop for their favorite gadgets, technology has touched upon every aspect of our lives. When things around us have been changing at such rapid pace how sports can be far behind. As technologies makes deeper inroads into sports we are witnessing evolution for sportsperson, viewers and the game itself. Here’s a look at ten ways in which technology is making sports better and is expected to influence the future of different games played on the field and in the courts.

1. Live Broadcast on the Go – Gone are the days when one had to stay glued to the television sets to watch live broadcast of games. Thanks to Internet, OTT Apps and Live Streaming fans can stay updated with live action on their smartphones, tablets and laptops. As long as one is connected to the Internet one can enjoy live sporting action from around the world on the go. You aren’t restricted by time and location anymore.  
2. Instant Reply – While this has been there for more than two decades now, instant replay is one of the biggest transformations in the world of sports. If you miss the important moments in the game instant replays do let you relive those moments. The instant replay technology is constantly evolving with state-of-the-art cameras being used during broadcasts these days with features such as ultra-slow motion offer deeper perspectives into player performances. 
3. Sports Betting Apps – Internet and mobile applications have revolutionized the way bettors stake their money into games. Thanks to sports betting apps bettors are able to stake round the clock. From betting on the outcome of the games to in-play betting, time and location have become irrelevant. You can bet from anywhere and anytime using these sports betting apps. 
4. Smart Clothing – When everything in the world is getting smart how can clothing be far behind? The best teams and clubs have already started investing in smart clothing that can keep the players comfortable in extreme weather conditions or during intense phases of the game. This is helping improve player performance and making sports more competitive. 
5. Minimizing Human Errors – There are several sports such as cricket and tennis where technology is ensuring fairer results by minimizing the scope of human errors altering results. For instance the use of Third Umpires (TV Umpires) and Decision Review System on cricket allows on-field decisions to be reviewed and use technology to do away with controversial human errors. 
6. Player- Fan Interaction – Several tournaments and competitions now allow players and fans to interact with each other during the course of the game using microphones. This is letting fans get a glimpse of the kind of challenges players face on the field or the court during the course of the game.  
7. Unlimited Sporting Action – Those who have been watching sports from the 90s to the first decade of the millennia would remember how our choice was often limited by the broadcasters’ bandwidth. For instance in multi-disciplinary events like Olympics one could watch live action from few of the events based on the number of channels the broadcaster had. Things have changed drastically on this front and live streaming of events now allows viewers to watch each and every game or event they wish to follow. 
8. Viewer Experience – Viewer experience across sports has been completely transformed in the last decade. From wireless microphones to helmet mounted cameras we are seeing the widespread use of technology to offer realistic experience to the fans. From sledging to chitchat that goes on in the field, every part of the game is now brought to your living rooms. 
9. Analytics – Morden sports is analytics driven. Players, coaches and support staff have access to tons of data that help in carrying out in-depth analysis on player performances and reviewing strengths and weaknesses of opponents. This has made modern sports more competitive where every individual has more situational awareness that is helping them in improving their skills and applying it in more rewarding ways. 
10. Safety and Injury Prevention – Competitive sports is demanding on the players and here injuries are common. Thanks to the use of technology and smart wearables potentially traumatic injuries have been reduced over the last many years. On-field sports have become safer for the players and the time required to recover from injuries has also been reduced with advancements in biomechanics.

Sports have always been one of the early embracers of technology. With billions of dollars’ worth of money being involved in the top leagues and tournaments we expect to see more evolution and embracement of technology into sports. It is difficult to predict where technology would push sports in the future given the rapid advancements we have seen over the last three decades. What’s certain though is that we have only seen the tip of the iceberg and next generation technology would make sports more entertaining, engaging and safer.