When it comes to sports and technology, it’s a winning combination! From performance-driven cutting-edge gadgets to advanced data analytics, 2024 has witnessed plethora of technological advancements in sports. These tools and technology help athletes unlock their best performance and also transform the sports experience for fans. 

Tech Innovations Driving Sports in India

According to the ‘Think Sports: Unlocking India’s $130B Sports Potential’ report by Google and Deloitte, India’s sports ecosystem will witness remarkable growth and reach $130 billion by 2030. A 14% CAGR is double India’s GDP growth, and the majority of it can be attributed to ever-improving sports technologies.  

From AI-backed tools that enhance athlete scouting and training to digital analytics that have expanded access to sports resources, technology is at the forefront of the Indian sports industry. Thanks to the growing collaborations between government, businesses, investors, stakeholders and fans, India’s sports ecosystem continues to move upwards solidifying its global sporting presence.

In IPL, we have seen how Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) integrated AI and data analytics into their training and real-time match performance to enhance player performance. IIT Madras’ Centre of Excellence in Sports Science and Analytics (CESSA) has developed several AI-driven programs, like “Player Impact Score” for ESPNcricinfo, that analyze player performances more intricately than the established metrics.

Likewise, CESSA has been collaborating with sports tech startups in chess, boxing, badminton, tennis, and wrestling, and further plans to work alongside 200 such organizations over the course of five years. 

In boxing, innovations like the SmartBoxer system which monitors boxers’ movements and punches, have proved to be a game changer. 

In digital chess, anti-cheating tools have been put in place with technological changes to bring integrity. 

Let’s explore which sports tech innovations are pushing the limits.

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1. Wearable Tech

Athletes and teams are embracing smartwatches, biometric sensors, and fitness bands. These wearable tech sports gadgets help in monitoring health, fitness, blood oxygen levels, hydration, muscle activity, measure training, fatigue tracking, and recovery. The wearable tech is helping create personalized programs to reduce injury risks and boost performance.

2. Smart Gear 

The sports equipment is integrated technologies that adapt to athletes’ needs. Adidas and Wilson are making smarter soccer Balls, custom tennis rackets, and smart running shoes to help athletes hone skills and improve performance.

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3. AI’s Sports Revolution

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is leading sports technology baton. AI has made sports exciting, safer, and smarter. AI-powered models analyze player data to spot injuries before they happen, predict slumps or breakouts, and help in building winning game plans.

With the help of AI, now teams are able to break down game footage to their advantage, track players better, give real-time insights to the think-tank, and provide performance reviews that are on point.

In individual sports and games, AI’s customized training plans have been helping athletes boost performance, prevent injuries, and recover faster. The training simulations help players practice and hone their skills without physical wear and tear.

4. Fair Play 

Nobody likes bad calls or loopholes in rules. Technology is helping referees get it right, management brings integrity to the table and makes the game fairer for everyone.

5. Enhanced Sports Experience

Not just athletes and teams, technologies like Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), smarter stadiums and multiple camera viewing has brought fans closer to the action. The action has become immersive for fans like never before. They can dive deeper into the action with live stats and info, interactive overlays, jersey try-ons, and more.

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6. Big Data and Analytics

The use of data and analytics has been ever-increasing in sports. Most teams deploy advanced analytics to stay ahead of their counterparts. 

Be it player performance metrics, exploiting opponents’ weaknesses, refining strategies, streamlining scheduling, resource allocation, and more, there is so much that data analytics is organizing.

The technology in sports has become an integral part over the years. As sports technology evolves, the future of sports looks more competitive and exciting than ever!

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