How sports Science & technology has shaped modern football

Science and technology have had an incredible effect on almost every sector and culture around the world. Both technological and scientific progress have transformed education, medicine and agriculture, ultimately improving the lives of millions of people.

The progress made has also had a profound impact on the development of major sports, including football. While many are aware of the influence that Sports Science & Technology has had on football, the manner in which it has changed and shaped the modern game is still often under appreciated. So, let’s take a look at three ways that Sports Science & Technology has shaped the beautiful game…

What is GPS Tracking?

It is customary within professional football to swap your shirt with a player of the opposing team at the end of each game as a demonstration of respect. For football fans who have been watching football for a lengthy period, there is something that over the course of the last decade, they will have noticed – the vast majority of players are wearing some kind of tightly fitted black sports vest under their shirts. But what exactly is the purpose of this vest?

The vest contains a piece of wearable technology, no bigger than a credit card, which is contained within the back of each garment. It measures each player’s speed, position, velocity, acceleration, distance covered and allows you to analyse all of this data after each use. This GPS unit has become a fundamental part of the game and is utilised not only in every game, but every training session.

The data allows you manage each player’s physical input on a daily basis in order to ensure that they have correctly prepared for the upcoming game.

What is Goal Line Technology?

Goal Line Technology was something that football fans wanted for years, and whether it was the Luis Garcia “ghost goal” in 2005 that saw Liverpool defeat Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League, or the Frank Lampard goal that should have been when England were 2-0 down against Germany in the 2010 FIFA World Cup that lead to its introduction, they finally got their wish in 2012.

It was seamlessly integrated into the sport and has been used almost flawlessly since. Each referee wears a smart watch that vibrates to indicate if the ball has crossed the line. It has added an extra level of fairness to both the sport itself and football betting, as it ensures that the correct decision has been made and removes any lingering debate over whether or not a goal should have been awarded.
What is Video Assisted Referees (VAR)?

VAR is made up of a team of assistant referees with access to video replays and an automated three-dimensional line system that aids in deciding whether or there has been a foul, offside or if a player should or shouldn’t receive a red card.

The VAR system has been in operation since 2016 and while it is still being debated whether or not its introduction has improved the game, it appears to be here to stay and will continue to shape the game for years to come.