Computers and Sports

Overview From sports-related Web sites to computerized training devices, computers have revolutionized the sports industry. Sports teams and other organizations use computers to track scores, maintain player records, create virtual playing fields, and model new sports techniques and methods. Sports equipment manufacturers use computers to design and test new equipment. Even if you don't participate in sports yourself, you may have used your computer to buy tickets to sporting events, check out sports schedules, or chat with other sports fans about the latest game. Check out the links below to learn more about computers and sports.

General Information The sports equipment industry relies heavily on computer aided design (CAD) software to create new shoes, balls, skis, and other equipment. Read more about CAD here. Follow the links to check out national sports media Web sites like ESPN and Sports Illustrated. 

Specific Technologies Check out the links below to read about specific uses of computers and sports.

• Biomechanics is the study of the motion of living things. Visit Biomechanics World Wide for links to biomechanics forums, personal Web sites of people who work in the biomechanics industry, computer simulations, and other biomechanic related links.
• Read about the SRM Powermeter, the computerized training device used by Lance Armstrong and other professional bicycle racers to monitor speed, heart rate, and other training data.
• Bobsled runs can cost up to US $30 Million to design and build. The University of California's bobsled simulator cost a fraction of that and is used by bobsled teams around the world. Read more about it here.
• Events like the Olympics and the Superbowl rely heavily on computers to monitor security, coordinate transportation, and maintain match scores. This Google News page provides up-to-the minute articles about the technology behind this event. Read about the innovative new FaceFinder application used at Super Bowl 2001 to detect criminals here.
• Read about how sports equipment companies like Nike and Titleist use computers to create new sports equipment here and here. 
• Not everyone agrees that technological advances help the sports industry. Read about why some people feel that advances in tennis racket technology decreases the excitement of the game in this article. Read about other ethical issues involving sports technology at this page.

Additional Links The International Sports Engineering Association maintains a Web site here that contains links to news, research, and discussions about sports engineering. Interesting in learning how to use CAD software? Check out this link.