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We were lucky enough to have an event at this year’s British Science Festival in Bradford regarding the role of science and technology in sport. The event took the form of a debate, with our own Professor Haake arguing for technology, and Philosopher Dr Jim Parry presenting arguments against. Both gave fascinating talks which raised a lot of questions and debate. I recorded both speakers so others could listen to the arguments, find the videos below. Of course it wouldn’t be a debate unless we asked the opinion of the audience, so I have copied some of the questions into polls below, it would be fantastic if you could respond with your opinions on the subtleties of technology in sport and what you think is acceptable. Did either speaker sway your decisions? Who do you agree with? What are your thoughts? It would be great if you could leave a comment.
Professor Haake:
Materials World Magazine recently invited me to write a feature article for a special edition on sports engineering. I was asked to showcase our work (in collaboration with Prince Sports) on a finite element model of a tennis racket.The project aims to develop a model for use in the design of the next generation of tennis rackets, giving ultimate control over the parameters which affect how the racket behaves. The article provides details of the model and project in addition to a discussion on the role of finite element modelling in sports equipment testing, a cutting edge design and analysis tool gaining favour with forward thinking sports technology companies.
If you’d like to read the article,click here.
Tom
Dr Simon Choppin and Dr Tom Allen are acting as guest editors for a special edition of Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology. The issue looks at the use of predictive modelling in sport and how it can be used to predict new behaviour, essentially how technology influences sports performance! If you’re an academic and have some work which you’d like to submit, we have further information here, including progress with the edition and information on how to submit.
The two hour marathon is a hot topic, following on from a BBC radio four documentary which asked whether it would ever be achieved, I thought I’d shoot a quick video to illustrate the speed necessary to complete a marathon in 2 hours. Previously we’ve covered the subject ourselves in one of Leon Foster’s posts, and the Science of Sport blog has looked marathon’s in detail several times. I hope this video illustrates the kind of sustained effort necessary to achieve this awesome feat.
Simon Choppin
My curiosity was piqued recently on a last-minute Christmas shopping trip. As I wandered round the sports section of a local branch of a department store, my mind was struggling to contend with the mental challenges of garish festive displays, oppressive crowding and music so good it’s only played for a few weeks every year. As the drudgery wore on, my eye was drawn to what seemed to be an exciting new product, it was presented very well with attractive graphics and sleek matt packaging. The box contained what seems to be a thin rubber bracelet with two small holographic discs embedded diametrically opposite each other. What did it do? The box claimed it was ‘Performance Technology’ but even after prying the box open and scanning the contents I could find no explanation or instructions on how this technology should be used.
The Power Balance Bracelet
A hundred years after the first football rules were set, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) met (on 6th March 2010) to discuss a number of footballing issues; these included the role of the 4th official and a “discussion on the latest developments concerning goal line technology”. FIFA dismissed the concept of goal line technology in 2008 following tests of video replay system and the Hawkeye motion analysis system. IFAB were seeking systems that gave decisions correctly 100% of the time and claimed that neither system apparently did this (a comment subsequently rebuffed by Hawkeye).
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