Maybe there is, but don’t expect us to reach it any time soon. As we learn more about genetics, nutrition and biomechanics, combined with the development of new technologies, athletes will continue to achieve feats thought impossible just decades ago. Here are some of the latest technologies revolutionising college sport in America:
Virtual reality is being used to review moments of play
The concept of virtual reality (VR) has been flirted around for years, but finally we are beginning to see this technology integrate with everyday life. Initially developed to enhance video game experiences, VR has innovated many different fields and professional sports is the next industry to embrace the technology.
In California, VR is being used to improve athletic performance at Stanford University. Derek Belch, an assistant football coach for the Stanford Cardinals American football team, said VR gives players the opportunity to take a break from the field and review plays.
Analysis is nothing new – studying moments of play on a TV screen has been a common feature for years. However, VR allows the player to actually relive the moment as if they were amid the chaos of the pitch. This allows the player to analyse what they have done well, what went wrong and how they can improve in that particular situation next time.
VR technology is also being used by top football teams in Netherland's Eredivisie. Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and AZ Alkmaar are all using software that allows coaches to develop custom scenarios for their players to experience. The Netherlands has a rich history of sparking football revolutions through training innovations and early adoption of virtual reality could be the next major breakthrough. Do not be surprised to see US college football teams follow suit soon.
Military technology is being used to monitor concussion
Around 300,000 concussions are suffered by US college athletes each year. In the short term, these brain injuries can cause headaches and problems with coordination, memory and concentration. In the long term, repeated head trauma can lead to serious medical conditions in later life.
As a result, many universities are trialing technologies designed to monitor the impact of concussions. The University of Kansas are making their football players wear impact-sensing mouthguards that allow trainers to monitor hits taken by individual players in real-time.
A military technology known as Linx IAS is also being trialled across the country. The Linx IAS is a small sensor that fits against the skull on a fabric headband. The device measures concussive forces and wirelessly transmits information on each blow via an app. It also displays a traffic light colour code on the force of each hit – a green light appears for each low-level “sub-concussive” blow, while a red light signals a severe hit.
Wearable technologies are enhancing athletic performance
Across all fields of professional sport, wearable technologies are being used to monitor how athletes train, perform and recover. These devices give coaches an extra insight into the health and performance of their athletes, helping them to more advised decisions on training methods and nutrition.
In North Carolina, athletes at Duke University are using BioMetrix wearable technology to monitor performance beyond the training room. These devices are placed on an athlete’s heel and the small of their back and can be used to track vital metrics like stride length, pronation and hip drop.
Coaches can usually analyse these measurements in training but not during an actual race. However, being able to track these metrics in a race can help to prevent muscle strains and injuries. For example, monitoring pronation, the measure of inward or outward foot roll during exercise, can help athletes recognise when they are moving in ways that could potentially lead to injury.
