Elite athletes are always looking to take advantage of the latest innovations so that they can improve their performance. This often involves the use of cutting-edge technology in one form or another. Of course, the methods themselves have evolved over the years and some of the most recent trends are directly related to the digital age. How can these technologies be applied and what are their primary benefits? Furthermore, are there any trends that might exist just beyond the horizon?
Wearable Tech
It can be argued that the most well-known advancement is already familiar to the general public. This comes in the form of what is commonly referred to as wearable technology. It is now possible to equip the body with a number of smart sensors which can monitor a host of metrics within real-time scenarios. A handful of examples include:
- Heart rate
- Blood pressure
- The number of calories burned per hour
- Distance travelled
- Inertial sensors
This dta can then be used to modify training programmes or simply to track long-term progress. Athletes who are provided with such crucial details are also more likely to make appreciable gains when compared to the competition.
Online Odds and Fixtures
It is important to remember that other forms of technology serve dual purposes. For instance, sports betting websites will frequently update their odds and fixtures. When combined with other rewards programmes such as a one-off Stake.com promo code, the ability to generate a lucrative side hustle becomes even more of a reality.
However, this very same information can be used to analyse the performance of a team and perhaps more importantly, to predict the outcome of an upcoming match. It also provides a hands-on means to keep track of the competition; crucial for those who wish to remain one step ahead of the game.
The Increasing Prevalence of Virtual Reality
Most of us associate virtual reality (VR) with casual pastimes such as playing video games. However, VR has also begun to play a key role within the sports industry. Virtual reality can be used to sharpen the reaction times of players, to teach a new skill and to simulate real-world competitions (such as a football match) without risking the chance of an injury. Due to the fact that VR-related hardware has also become much more affordable in recent times, a growing number of teams have already implemented this approach.
What Does the Future Have in Store?
We can now see that technology is transforming how professional athletes train and gauge their own progress. What future advancements might we witness? Some feel that augmented reality (AR) is set to dominate the industry while others believe that artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning will provide even more performance-related insight.
Either way, even the most traditionally minded athletes cannot deny that the digital age has ushered in a host of beneficial changes within a relatively short period of time.
