Technology

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ITS IMPACT ON SPORTS
Information technology (IT) has an impact undeniably intense to almost all aspects of human life. Education, health and business are all geared to utilizing information technology for the purpose of improving the entire organization and systematic management of the work environment. Information technology primarily involves the use of computers to efficiently create designs, development and implementation programs in various fields. The ordinary home, for instance, cannot thrive without the use of information technology because almost everything happens through computer-based information systems. It is generally true how all fields of human existence have employed information technology for better and faster performance of duties and addressing of needs. It is in this light that we need to evaluate the use of IT and its impact in the world of sports. Indeed, researchers and other modern studies have proven that computer-based systems are useful in effecting a more systematic sports management.

Moreover, IT has taken its greatest slot in the global connection trade as it made use of the information highway also known as the World Wide Web or the internet. Some may find it hard to imagine how computers and the internet could affect the kicking of the ball or the sprinting in a marathon but in-depth analysis of information technology use could prove how IT and the internet has transformed the world of sports into a faster, more accurate and more accessible field of endeavor.

Yes, sports are undergoing such revolution in global technology. Year after year, technology per se has gradually transformed traditional sports facilities into more sophisticated equipment. For instance, video replay systems are used to evaluate if the referees or umpires were able to make fair calls. Basketball games make use of instant replay systems to be able to gauge if the players were able to shoot the ball within the allotment of the shot clock. On the other hand, disputed catches and other complaints in international cricket are reviewed and assessed through television replays. The International Football Association Board has made use of certain set of criteria before the so-called soccer goal line technology was used.

A promising prospect has been a smartball loaded with an computer chip, jointly developed by German companies Cairos Technologies and the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits, an engineering research and software development company, along with the Adidas athletic clothing and shoe company. The companies technology uses a network of receivers around the field designed to track the balls precise position in real time - including exactly when it has fully passed the goal line. That information would be relayed in less than a second to a watch-like device worn by the referee. (TopendSports)

But this kind of technology was said to have failed in responding to the set criteria which basically includes 100 percent accuracy, should only be applied to goal line decisions, must be able to create instantaneous signal sent to the referee, and must be able to communicate to the game officials. In its failure, this technology was further replaced by the hawk-eye technology. This is the name given to a system of computer and a camera that is able to trace the trajectory of the ball. International tennis and cricket games used this definitive decision-maker on whether the ball was able of all within the line or beyond it. High-end as it may sound, the hawk-eye is capable of taking 600 frames a second within the goal line. In the end, the shots are analyzed by the computer and the decision is then sent to the referee. If this proven accuracy of the hawk-eye will be consistent all through out the conduct of any games other than cricket and tennis, then one can say that bias and subjectivity in decision-making will fully be achieved, does winning will be more meaningful to savor.

Moreover, it is not only the goal line that could benefit from the advantages of information technology. The Australian Institute of Sports has acknowledged the use of IT and computer-based systems in furthering the performance of their athletes. Traditionally, athletes are prepared primarily by a training coach. The athletes then are required to complete several tests in order to gauge their fitness to play. In the past, a sports team is generally composed of a sport psychologist, a dietician, a conditioning coach, a biomechanics and a sports scientist. All of them are employed in order to make sure that the athletes are in good condition while training and playing. At present, these roles are no longer evident in a sports team and people employed are just substituted by the ability of information technology to do all these peoples responsibilities in just one single small chip.

Taking advantage of advancements in microelectronics and other micro technologies it is possible to build instrumentation that is small enough to be unobtrusive for a number of sporting and clinical applications. Pedometers, heart rate monitors and trip computers for bicycles today are common place and represent some of the earliest technological innovations popular with elite and recreation athletes alike. Today the humble pedometer is finding a new use for elite athletes, now able to measure one thousandth of force due to gravity in all three dimensions as well as rotational forces these devices can be attached all over an athlete to monitor the movement of individual limbs hundreds of times a second. A runner, swimmer or rower wearing these devices can have examined in detail their performance on the track or even on race day itself. (James 1)

There is a great difference in measuring the strength and the fitness of athletes from the past compared to the present. Long time ago, athletes need to spend so much time in laboratories for series of tests in order to detect system failures or weakening possibilities. But as James placed it, the micro electronics and micro technologies can definitely be reliable tools in making sure that athletes are physically sound. It is then proper to expect that if Australian players are making it to world championships given the traditional mode of physical fitness tests and training, what more could they achieve given the fact that they are using high-end gadgets that assists them more accurately and more efficiently The monitoring of runners, football players, skiers and rowing skulls has never been as accurate as how the Global Positioning Systems does it. Information technology has been greatly relied upon to trace fatigue levels, and measure blood sugar and lactate degrees. The Global positioning System is usually as thin as the human hair which is just inserted in the skin to act like a monitoring device.

Again, it is but helpful to understand that the primary embodiment of information technology is computers which utilize different tools like the micro chips in order to function as desired and planned. Dr. T.J. Rosandich once made a study on the importance of information technology in managing sports. He addressed how sports administration could be improved by technological revolution, how the World Wide Web could function for training and marketing and how electronic commerce could provide low-priced equipment, and the factors that could trigger an athlete to fully participate in the advantages of IT revolution. Rosandich made a clear and brief explanation of the impacts of computer and the internet in managing sports fields especially the administration of athletes. Considering the first task of proving how IT could help in managing sports, Rosandich clarified how the use of computers could organize data including the name of qualified athletes and referees. Event management software can be used in fixing training and games schedules and even setting up of equipment. By just keying the information in the computer and creating a distinct file, everything that needs to be put in order could be as easy as one click on the mouse. Moreover, it is not only the members of the team who could be monitored. The computer software could also be used in tracking active and inactive donors and what kinds of donations were shared. This could easily facilitate the sports organizations financial aspects. Another is the ability to organize the roster of support staff. Drivers, timekeepers, officials and other medical personnel could easily be traced as information like the addresses and birthdates could be filed in the database.

As great as databases are for effective sport program management, the real power of information technology comes when individual computers are tied together through the medium of a network. This is truly a case where there are synergies created as in 2  2  6. A computer network simply is the hardware and software required to connect two or more machines together so to allow the sharing of data and other resources. Larger enterprises use computer networks to link together their operatives in a common computing environment. All of the permeations and configurations available to the sports administrator are clearly beyond the scope of this presentation except to note that the most common configuration of these kinds of networks are of the client - server variety. (Rosandich)

The benefits of network sharing and establishing broader connections could be basically dependent on three important decisions whether to introduce IT system in the organization, what system will be introduced and how its configuration will be done, and finally, how will the software or technology be operated. The operation is the most crucial as this will include the entire affectivity of the employed technology. Proper use and implementation will maximize potential benefits. The sports administrator holds the biggest bulk of responsibility especially in choosing to write the organizations own software or adapting others which have been used in similar cases. Whichever way, this aspect of sports administration could greatly prove how information technology has a great influence on the world of sports.

Exploring and broadening horizons is what technology is geared up of doing. Each year, improvements and discoveries are flourishing in order to provide more ease and comfort to human existence. In information technology, the inclusion of the internet is really a big advantage not only to business and education environments but also in fields of sports. How could the internet affect sports First, understand how the Web works. The internet has this ability to bridge together people of the same interests and wants. This networking ability is very useful in sports because administrators can get in touch with each other no matter how physically distant they are.

For example, all of the regional offices of a national sports governing body such as the National Football Association can be linked together regardless of their geographic location. All of the operatives so linked can share administrative and programming information and communicate with each other cheaply and efficiently through the medium of e-mail.

The internet then could provide an opportunity for the members of a particular sports league to be part of forums and share their insights and thoughts. This makes the arena more conducive to
learning as athletes and administrators could share to their colleague some tips and other skills without having to be concretely connected. Thus, the internet now becomes an essential medium of communication and education in the world of sports. For instance, the Web acts as vessel for distributed learning when The US Sports Academy has opened its distance education program. The use of internet and the computer has helped sports enthusiasts to enroll in course studies for Master of Sports Science. The same case is true to those who are willing to finish an undergraduate degree in the International Sports Academy.

Finally, in Rosandichs argument, information technology especially the internet becomes a medium for commerce and advertising. Professional sports teams use the internet to broadcast games and announce victories.

For example, there are no English language radio broadcasts in Montreal for the Montreal Expos professional baseball team. Fans wanting hear the play-by-play in English can only do so by calling up the teams Website and listen to it coming across as an audio feed. Another example of how deeply the Internet has penetrated professional sports is how some pro hockey teams now require their players to have e-mail addresses as a means to interact with both the team administration and their fans. (Rosandich 3)

In this case, the internet acts as bridge in establishing not only administrator-athlete, athlete-athlete, or administrator-administrator connections. It has also paved the way for athletes to get in touch with their fans without the use of traditional mass media like the television and the radio. Indeed, the web has turned out to be the primary means of communications because people now opt for it as medium of interacting with the world. Television, radio and newspapers are indeed very helpful media but when regarding accessibility and availability, the internet takes the bigger edge. Webcasting is now the term used to refer to broadcasting of events through the use of the internet.

Aside from that, information technology has this great effect in the economic aspect of sports. The internet has been proven to increase sales and distribution of goods associated with sports. As Rosandich puts it the relative cost for sports equipment can be an issue for the profession, particularly in terms of trying to broaden the appeal of sport to the greatest number of participants. E-commerce through the Internet holds the potential for containing costs for sports equipment.

The advantages of information technology are really gargantuan in almost all aspects of sports. From managing athletes, administrating games and trainings, and even marketing and exposure strategies, information technology is an indispensable ally for the sports enthusiasts. But the need to see the ill effects of this modernization should also be weighed over the advantages. What could micro technology, for instance, do in the lives of those whose responsibilities are taken and assumed What happens to the so-called sports medical staffs who examine the athletes blood pressure and sugar stability What will happen to employed umpires and soon, referees Would this mean that information technology will soon leave more and more people jobless In any aspect of human life, technology is a boon when used in moderation. Moreover, the sports world should not be limited in employing the benefits of information technology as long as fairness, accuracy, honesty and sportsmanship like any other universal values are not sacrificed.

Summary of Findings
Information technology could improve the performance of athletes by the use of modern medical gadgets that could test their fitness and health.
Information technology could help in putting into order the information of the sports organization members, athletes and staff.
Information technology could help in broadening exposure of athletes and other local sports by webcasting.
Information technology could be used in advertising sports equipment.
Information technology can enhance sports education through distance-learning programs via the internet.
Information technology can help in making accurate decisions for the goal line.

Three Suggested Questions for Examination
How could information technology help in maintaining the health and fitness of athletes
Answer The use of micro electronics that detect the heartbeat and monitor blood and sugar levels could detect whether an athlete is fit to train or to play in the game.

How could information technology help in enhancing athlete exposure to fans
Answer Fans who do not have radio or television could opt for the internet to watch uploaded games and get information about their favorite athlete local or international. They could send feedbacks and admirations to electronic mail where their sports icons could respond in return.

3. Give three disadvantages of information technologys impact to sports

1. People will be left jobless as computers are made substitutes.
2. Privacy of athletes can be invaded as webcasting is popularized.
3. Technology might distort the natural performance level of an athlete as in some cases where information technology will be used to keep track of opponent strategies.