Training smarter with sports technology
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In this video, Kevin, co-founder of AfroBallers, explains how athletes use technology to improve their skills and performance. He shares examples like training apps and wearable tech.
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Does sports technology help even the playing field by giving everyone access to a virtual coach, or does it take away from creativity if athletes all train in the same way?
You might want to structure your answer like this:
I think technology does / does not even the playing field because [your reason]. Another reason for my view is [a second idea]. However, others might argue that [an alternative view].
Make sure you read the comments from other Topical Talkers and reply to someone whose opinion is different from yours.
Comments (26)
I think that technology evens the playing field, as it gives all athletes an actual fighting chance. The access to technology changes the way athletes train and strategize. It gives them access to scientific tips, and opponents records and mistakes, all which give significant advantages when it comes game preparation. Technology makes the playing field safer, and it also provides comfort and convenience to these athletes. A virtual coach also is another bonus, as it allows you to be groomed to your best capacity and potential. I feel like technology allows paralympic athletes also to perform at their very best. Access to technology also boost everyone's potential, which can make sports more exciting to watch.
I agree because... I think the technology helps balances the players ability. A player could put in what he knows with his virtual training to birth something new and impressive. It would be a mix of his own knowledge, skills and talent with what the new technology provides him with, making him even better both physically on the field and mentally . I say this because, he/she is putting together two ideas, human ability and technological support, to form a better and more effective approach. It also ensures that we aren't loosing originality but becoming more prepared and enhanced.
I disagree because people are training to make themselves feel stronger and make it more even. But if someone isn’t as strong and wins using tech, that isn’t fair to the other people who put effort in.
Do you think tech should be disallowed even if it makes athletes safer?
I think tech should not be disallowed it keeps the people safer and it is people's creativity that got expanded and improved so technology should be allowed.
I think technology does even the playing field as long as we handle it properly. A lot of people are not able to get good coach often because they didn't have enough money to get lessons or didn't get chance to be found by some coaches. Sometimes, even getting a good teacher/coach for their sports requires a lot of things. Some get those chances/things easier than others.
Another reason is because it allows people to be able to train themselves much easier. Apps mentioned by Kevin, basketball coaching app and Whoop(the app that Cristiano Ronaldo uses) are good examples of virtual coaches that are more efficient than actual human coaches. Even with only phone or smart watch which are now into most of our lives, they are able to coach people and help them improve their skills. With technologies, we don't need to struggle making up time for an appointment that satisfies both coach and the player and it's much more efficient.
Some may argue that human coaches are still better than virtual coaches as they have some actual experience from their own life. However, I would say that the technology got much better based on a lot of databases of the sports which can be much larger range than how one could have experienced. Thus technically, virtual coaches have more database than even a human coaches may be having and actually it makes it more fair with this because this means virtual coach can provide access to have chance to get taught with a lot larger range of database unlike how some experienced coaches are only available for either rich people or chosen ones.
I couldn't choose whether I think that technology evens the playing field or makes all athletes train in the same, uncreative way because I think that both sides of this debate aren't suitable and sustainable alone, however both of the outcomes need to be controlled in a neutral manner, in order not to suffer the consequences of both outcomes.
Another reason for my viewpoint is that sports technological equipment shouldn't be used in a very excessive or a very adequate way but in a controlled and unharmful way of execution. As long as athletes aren't using virtual devices and equipment excessively, then they would provide very helpful information and assistance for improving the athlete's skills, speed, nutrition, safety and experience, which could play a major role in developing an athlete's fitness level. From my own experience, I have been using my fitness watch while running and training, and it really helped me beat my fitness goals, which is a very fun, motivating way of training. Although sports technology provides many benefits, they should never replace personal effort and hard work.
While sports technology does even the playing field, it shouldn't be the most reliable source of real advice while training, as personal trainers and coaches must know best for their own athletes. Additionally, I think that each player in a team should be provided with different training programs, which should be customly designed for each player according to their fitness level and weakness points to ensure a better, overall team performance and to prevent uncreativity.
I believe that both virtual coaches and human coaches are great. and also, both have disadvantages.
Virtual coaches are extremely significant and efficient. I believe that virtual coaches do not reduce innovation because not all the bodies and fitness levels are the same. For example, if two athletes are willing to train football using the help of virtual coaches. Will both of them have the same training schedule? If a thin athlete tried to work like a muscled athlete in training, the thin athlete can be injured because of the training. Also, virtual coaches can work at any time not like human coaches and produce many creative ideas like what Kevin said in NBA, virtual coaches can tell how to shoot and from which angles. However, it is so boring to train using virtual coaches. For me, I trained fitness before, using AI but from the first day, I became bored because it was only giving me instructions yet no encouragements.
Human coaches are actually important too since they have feelings not like virtual coaches (AI). They can encourage their trainers and teach them from their past experiences moreover it is more entertaining to train with a human rather that AI. On the other hand, in Egypt, most of the coaches abuse their trainers to take more money. Nothing matters with them except money and they increase the fees of training. From my experience, most of them insult easily.
To conclude, both are excellent but not everything is ideal and perfect.
What do you think and who is the most efficient to instruct you in training, the virtual coaches or the real human coaches.
I think technology does even the playing field because of the time factor if a virtual coach and the saving of costs.
This virtual coach is just like the Whoop app which helps check cardiovascular fitness and monitor sleep instead of one having to go to a for hospital cardiovascular check almost everyday, having to pay transport but with this virtual coach, you can check your fitness at anytime, anywhere and also have the best suggestions to improve by the virtual coach just as a doctor would do.
However, others may think from a perspective of the AI being a distraction to having the presence of a physical coach who understands emotions and all, but with this AI, you have a variety of exercises to choose from for the one you love and best suites you. This collection has been brought together by different coaches and cardiologist suggestions for patients with different conditions, making it indirectly like a physical coach.
THANK YOU
Technology really is helpful in training and helping athletes, especially those who do not have coaches. Imaging an aspiring basketballer who has no access to a coach or a basketball playing team, he or she will not be able to succeed. But if he or she can get a hold on some training apps and a basketball field, I think that will help him or her get somewhere in the profession.
However it is possible that others might say it is not very reliable, which is a valid point . But an athlete who trains under a coach is not always better than one who used apps to train. It is useful and helps the athlete train even in their lone time and as a famous adage goes " Practice makes perfect".
Now this is a very good example of where tech should be involved in sports. Tech in my opinion should help athletes to improve themselves physically and mentally, and the rest should be up to human effort entirely. Becuase, at the end of the day, one of the main reasons for sports is to witness human capability in action and not what tech can do(unless of course people are interested in humans playing against bots).
Technology is very useful in todays world, but talent is more important. Talent is what allows people to think, create, and solve problems. Without talented people, technology would not even exist because humans are the ones who invent and improve it.
Talented people can use their skills in many different situations. They can learn new things, make good decisions, and come up with creative ideas. Technology can only do what it is programmed to do, but people can think for themselves and help others in ways machines cannot.
No two individuals are genetically alike. This means that no two athletes have the same skill set, innate abilities, and strengths. For this reason, I think technology will never truly even the playing field. From a psychological perspective, each individual interprets environmental impacts differently. For example, although two siblings experience the same field trip in similar environments, their reactions stem from individuality and how their behavior changes when amplified by varying interests. In the sports industry, having a virtual coach can still lead to different progress because of an individual's mindset and determination.
However, others might argue that these pervasive virtual coaches take away from creativity. A similar concept, I think, is the definition of communism versus its application. On paper, communism serves the role of a government that eliminates social class and distributes the nation's wealth through government-sponsored property. Yet, when applied to nations around the globe, its results vary from intense censorship to economic decline. How does this happen? Each nation has political officials who influence society overall. If all athletes have the same coach, it can't be assumed that they will experience the same methods and adapt them perfectly. After all, defined expectations and reality aren't causation, but rather a correlation.
In this aspect, I support and admire what he does; the technology he uses ensures that many athletes across different sporting activities have access to technology that can help them train and improve their overall ability by learning, not just by using it as an in-game advantage. Helping people become better at the sport they do is very impressive and commendable for that. Also, he said that there was an app called Whoop for tracking oxygen levels and other important cardiovascular metrics and data that help you stay fit throughout. That's very efficient and a great use of technology.
I think technology does even the playing field because it makes access to high-quality training much more affordable and available. Virtual coaches can provide insights and techniques which would normally be locked behind a giant paywall only accessible through elite personal trainers who also require millions of Dollars worth of equipment. This means that anybody and everybody can train which also means that even people from less well-off backgrounds can also step into the sports scene.
Another reason for my viewpoint is that sports technology can offer data-analysis insights which make it so that you don't always have to rely on pure talent and have a formula to work with. For example, wearable devices and video analysis tools allow athletes to measure their performance via various metrics i.e. heart rate. This reduces the money-based aspect of training.
However, others might argue that if the same technology were to spread all around, it could take away creativity from athletes since they would all train using standardized methods and tools. A direct set of formulas may be useful in sports, but not quite as useful as something such as Math per sè since sports contains artistic expression. Coaches offer unique training styles which are prized for being unpredictable to the opposition. But I would argue that they would cancel each other. Coaches would still come up with unpredictable tactics because some players might use the same machine strategies which they could exploit.
I think sports technology helps make sport more fair.
It is like a small coach who is always there.
Watches can count speed, balance, and time.
This helps athletes improve carefully, step by step, in a logical line.
In Egypt, many children train with big dreams and little space.
Technology can help them learn and keep up the pace.
If an athlete has no professional coach to explain what to do,
Training apps can give feedback and show skills that need improvement, too.
But if everyone trains in one strict digital way,
Creativity, like Egyptian football skills ,might fade away.
So technology should help, not control or scare.
Because sport needs both smart tools and imagination to be truly fair.
IPS October 2, Egypt.
I believe that using technology in sport is not fair. I thinks sports should stay human and technology should serve the games nt give advantages to some players over the others. Technology can help with the audience and mkaing sure that it is fair every one participating.However,I think that using some apps and equipment for some players and not for all is unfair. If we want to use technology in sports,we must make sure that all players have access to them worldwide before the competions.I think the organizing committees should specify some apps for all players to use and some equipment and devices and even make them available for poorer countries so that the players can be jusged on their performance rather equally on the basis of equal chances for all particpating players.
well generally speaking I think it could actually even the playing field, but what we have to consider is that all athletes have different ability and different skill sets some are exceptionally good at one thing and horribly bad at another, so it still does not even out the playing field because some are still better than the other.
I think technology does even the playing field which is a good thing because it gives everyone the same chance so that not only the rich people able to afford a good coach but with this technology, we could find more professional athletes as it gives free coaching and same way to all people and not for beginners no it is to make and train professionals.
Another reason for my view is that it reduces wasting money because even if you are rich, you pay much money for a professional coach but with this technology it is saving much money and resources.
However, others might argue that they won't be able to customize as not all humans have the same strong points and weak points and not everybody have the same muscle strength, so it isn't as helpful.
I think technology does even the playing field because it gives more athletes access to tools that help them improve, even if they don't have a personal coach. Training apps, smart wearables and performance tracking system let players see data about their movement, fitness and decisions so they can train smarter and make progress at their own pace. For example, at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, technology was used not just for watching matches but also to bring AI-powered football experiences into fans' hands, showing how digital tools can make the game more interactive and accessible for a wider group of people, not just elite professionals.
Another reason for my view is that technology can help players learn from patterns and feedback that they might not notice on their own. Wearable sensors and training apps (like devices used by elite teams to monitor performance and recovery) give athletes detailed feedback that once was only available through expensive personal trainers or performance labs.
However, others might argue that if everyone uses the same apps and tech, athletes could start training in very similar ways, which might take away from creativity and unique personal style. They might say that too much focus on data and standard programs could make training feel more like following instructions than finding your own way to excel
Using technology in your sport, even if you already train normally without it, can be a very useful addition. When technology is used alongside your regular training, it can greatly improve your performance in training or in the sport you play.
So, most of us agree with the idea of using technology, and it has become something normal nowadays. It is not strange or forbidden, even if some people do not use it. However, it can make a big difference for people if they use it in their training.
From my point of view, technology can help you as an extra type of training. For example, it can help you follow a healthy diet. You can take photos of your food, and the app will tell you how many calories are in the meal. This helps you control what you eat, avoid gaining weight, and keep your fitness level high. So, this is a very positive advantage of using technology
I believe that technology does not even the playing field.
A virtual coach only works for so many, some people are physical learners, or visual learners.
Having someone yell at you through a screen may work for some, but for the vast majority they need the companionship and physical attention of a coach. As such, when those who thrive with descriptive learning are equipped with a virtual coach they are given more resources and connections to use aside from the majority who do not find virtual coaching useful, which then further de-levels the playing field.
As a quick summary, people learn differently. When those athletes who depend on physical learning are starved of it in the name of equality, we are doing the opposite. It’s basically depriving them of the way that they learn. If it becomes normalized to have online coaches, those athletes begin to struggle even more. Some may argue that it’s good to normalize virtual coaching because it’s more accessible. That isn’t wrong, but they aren’t thinking of the coaching environment, or it’s affective-ness. Think of a child asking for a picture so they understand it, and being denied because that would be “unequal” because everyone has to learn the same. It’s taking a step back in society, not forward.
I think technology does even the playing field because it provides the opportunity to all teams and athletes to improve their performance and push their limits through different ways, for example, virtual coaches, creative methods of training and traditional ways for recovery. As Kevin mentioned, Whoop and an app from the NBA are being used nowadays to improve athletes' fitness and optimize sleeping time and recovery.
Another reason for my view is the "accessibility". Some teams don't have the financial ability to afford latest technology as they are expensive, while others can. Therefore, there will be always unfairness and a feeling of frustration because other athletes could break records with the help of tech but others who rely only on their natural abilities couldn't. But sports technology that Kevin mentioned are solving this problem. These apps make poorer teams have the chance to compete fairly with wealthy teams.
There are more sports technology that is used in sports to avoid "bias" like the VAR and goal-line technology.
However, others might argue that technology is unfair because still some teams don't have the ability to afford it.
I partly agree with them because there are so many uses of technology. It can be used to add super-natural power and in this case, I completely agree with them. On the other hand, technology can provide a free opportunity to improve athletes' skills. Also, it plays a crucial role in refereeing, which help to produce a fair outcome after a competition.
I think it does take away creativity as it alters people’s strengths and skills, and I don’t think that should be allowed. If it’s only to make it safer, then it’s not as bad.
If I met Kevin, I would ask him on his opinion about sports tech and what he thinks is valid.
Hi charming television, I'm agree with you in one part because these technology apps are to guide us training. By one hand, yes, if all people would use the same apps to improve they wouldn't be any creativity and all players' technique will be the same. By the other hand, you can use these apps only to help you. Using them in a good way and not copying, for example: it shows you an exercise to do and you change some parts of it, so that you like it and you don't copy other players and there will be creativity.
I think that the technologies on sport even the playing field for each type of sports, being able to use newer technologies (apps, new mechanics or even a virtual coach). Even if every athlete trains in the same way, I honestly think the creativity won't be removed from them, in my opinion, I would focus on them improving their skills so they are ready to enter the playing field, since I think that the most important thing is for them to be ready for the match, not in the way they train. Some athletes may use different ways of training without using a virtual coach or any new technologies (maybe they find their own ways of training more useful than using new training ways, I don't know). So my final answer is that, the new sports technologies help the athletes, even if they all train the same, the important thing about sports is that all the athletes are ready for the match.
Hi guys!
I think that technology does even the playing field because the players of each team can improve their way of training and get more benefits from it. So by that, in the matches, they will be more prepared and trained. In my opinion, in the video by Kevin, I think these apps were made to improve the skills on sports for the professional's ones because they have to develop more of their abilities on the match. Another reason from my view is that these technology systems or apps are the same, so if all players use these systems to improve their skills, all of them will play the same and would have the same technique. Sometimes, we need to search our own resources to improve on sports and don't follow what technology says because it isn't perfect. However, others might argue that these virtual trainers or apps can't make us the same ''person'' in the match because once the technology teaches us to improve, each player would train in his/her way and have different abilities. To conclude, I think these technology systems are to guide us in our sports-way and not to replace the essential of the sports: the human, not AI.
I think that technology does not even the playing field, because we are not all the same and we will never be the same person. Each athlete has their own personality, each of them has their own physique and different abilities. Some of them push themselves a lot to be better every day and try to give their best always and others, even though they try, they can't last the same time. For this reason, even if technology could help us, it would not help everyone in the same way. For example: Imagine 2 people that are reading the same book, when they finish it, they are not going to have the same opinion, maybe it can be similar, but not the same. Something similar happens with sports, if you have a virtual coach or trainer, it will help both of them, but probably their results would be different.
However, others may argue that technology does even the playing field, but think about some undeveloped countries, or countries that are poorer than others. How is technology going to help them, if they don't even have it? Moreover, because of this, people in these countries would be still more disadvantaged, since they would not be able to obtain all those benefits that technology offers to us, such as all those apps that tell us how to do a better workout, or that measures our heart rate.
Some people may argue that, if everyone trains in the same way (with technology), this could bring on that the creativity of the athletes would disappear and so their distinctive personality would, since they would be using regular or common techniques for their training.
I think that technology evens the playing field, because although people are very different in their way to play, to interpratate the game and in the physical aspects, if you train with a virtual coach teaching you what to do, you are going to improve a lot, but if the other people train with a vitual coach too, it is very possible that their trainings are similar to yours so you are going to react in a similar way to the same things that they.
Also I think training with technology is a very good way to train if you can take advantage of it,becuase it is a better way to improve playing and to improve faster, because you have a personal coach,so if you can improve using it but also you can play in the same way you play before the coach, you are going to play very different to other people that only play as the virtual coach have trained them.
So as a clonclusion, I think technology evens the playing field but if you can take advantage from it, you are going to be better than before and very different to other people that use it.
I think technology takes away the creativity of the players. When everyone is using the same ways to train, it makes it boring; first of all, it limits their unique capabilities, and second of all, it makes them only depend on technology and not think of other ways to train. It kind of keeps them inside a shell out of the world of exploration and in to the world of dependency.
I think technology does even the playing field because It helps all athletes train better. Many childrens can use apps and videos to learn sports skills at home this is good because not everyone has a coatch or a sport club. Another reason for my view is that technology can show athletes what they are doing wrong and how to improve. For examples, videos can show how to run, jump, or Kick the ball in the right way.
However, others might argue that technology is not always good for sports. They may say that if all athletes train in the same way, sports can become boring. Some people think that athletes need to use their imagination and learn by playing with others, not by using technology. Technology also help athletes feel more confident. When childrens see their progress on and app or vídeo, they feel very Happy and want to keep training. this can help them not give up when sports are difficult.
Technology also can help parents and teachers understand how childrens are learning and how they can help them at home.