Sports Technology Trends

sports technology trends

The sports industry continues to adapt and use innovation to reshape how fans engage, athletes perform, and teams generate value. As augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and predictive analytics make headway, they are helping teams to develop more effective training programs, improve player health and performance, and reduce injuries and recovery times.

The engine driving these technology trends is advanced biometric tracking, including wearables that measure heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, sleep patterns, and more. Increasingly, apps are aggregating these metrics for comprehensive performance analysis. This data can help coaches to understand an athlete’s total load, determine what is needed to improve their performance, and the holy grail – predict what might happen next.

In addition, smart integration into athletic equipment is allowing for personalized training. For example, Adidas’ 4DFWD running shoes are equipped with 3D-printed lattice midsoles that adjust cushioning and propulsion based on an athlete’s foot scan, while companies like Plantiga and Driveline Baseball use pressure-mapping sensors in cleats to analyze jump loads and asymmetries. Additionally, Wilson’s X Connected Basketball features embedded sensor technology to track shooting performance metrics like shot arc and rotation.

Meanwhile, virtual reality is providing immersive experiences for fans to interact with their favorite players and teams. For instance, the NBA has an AR app that allows fans to play virtual pop-a-shot games at home. In the future, this technology could also enhance in-stadium experiences, enabling fans to interact with stadium maps and betting odds, or even virtual-reality simulations of game-play.