FSHP Academy
Sports Technology — all lessons

Module 1 – Introduction

Evolution and role of technology in sportImpact on training, recovery and competitionCase studies: technology in Olympic and elite sport

Module 2 – Biomechanics & Motion Capture

Biomechanics basics for technology usersMotion analysis tools: cameras, sensors and appsForce plates (e.g. VALD ForceDecks)Reaction-light systems (e.g. BlazePod)DynamometryRunning gait analysis (e.g. GaitON)Timing and jump systems (e.g. Hyperlab)

Module 3 – Wearables & Monitoring

Types of wearables: GPS and heart-rate monitorsInterpreting speed, load, fatigue and HRV dataIntegrating wearable data into training

Module 4 – Performance Testing & Analytics

Performance testing and analytics workflows

Case studies: technology in Olympic and elite sport

Illustrative case studies of technology use in elite sport — sprint timing, force-plate monitoring, GPS in team sport, and video in skill sports — with lessons for all levels.

Intermediate Evidence: Established consensus 3 min read Reviewed 2026-10-31 Status: draft

Learning objectives

  • Analyse how elite programmes use technology
  • Extract principles transferable to lower budgets
  • Evaluate cost–benefit
  • Recognise limitations

Before this lesson

Why this matters

Elite sport shows what is possible; good principles transfer to every level.

Illustrative cases (composite, not specific teams)

CaseTechnologyQuestionLow-cost version
Sprint squadTiming gates, videoIs acceleration improving?Phone video + app
Team sportGPS + HRAre players ready for match load?Session-RPE × minutes
Strength squadForce platesNeuromuscular fatigue?Jump app [balsalobre2015]
Skill sportVideo analysisTechnical errors?Phone slow-motion

Technology and equipment have shaped Olympic performance [haake2009]; wearable data needs careful interpretation [cardinale2017], and good visualisation drives use [thornton2019].

Lessons

Question first → reliable measure → meaningful change → simple communication.

Common mistakes and misconceptions

Case study

A district athletics programme copies an elite sprint model with phone video, a free timing app and a shared spreadsheet. Coaches use it weekly to adjust sprint sessions.

Further learning: video lessons

Video links are only marked “verified” after a human has watched them. Unverified entries open a YouTube search for that channel and topic rather than a guessed link.

Technical needs verification — opens a YouTube search

Case studies: technology in Olympic and elite sport

sport science practitioners and manufacturers’ education channels (search)

You will understand: case studies: technology in olympic and elite sport

Why: Practitioner content; verify the specific video and be aware of commercial bias.
Technical needs verification — opens a YouTube search

Validity and reliability explained

sport science practitioners and manufacturers’ education channels (search)

You will understand: judging measurement quality

Why: Practitioner content; verify the specific video and be aware of commercial bias.

Knowledge check

Knowledge check · 0/5

1. A key lesson from elite programmes is…

Answer B. Purpose-led.

2. A low-cost alternative to a jump mat is…

Answer B. Balsalobre-Fernández et al. (2015).

3. GPS in team sports is mainly used to…

Answer B. Load monitoring.

4. A change in data is meaningful when…

Answer B. Signal vs noise.

5. A common barrier to success is…

Answer B. Culture.

Short-answer & application questions

  1. Analyse a technology case in your sport.
  2. Design a low-budget equivalent of an elite system.
  3. Discuss cost–benefit for a club.

Key takeaways

  • Elite programmes link technology to specific performance questions.
  • Low-cost alternatives (phone video, apps, wellness forms) capture many benefits.
  • Data must be reliable and interpreted against meaningful change.
  • Culture and communication matter as much as hardware.

Connected topics

sports technology

Performance testing and analytics workflows

sports technology

Force plates (e.g. VALD ForceDecks)

sports technology

Types of wearables: GPS and heart-rate monitors

References

  1. Haake SJ (2009). The impact of technology on sporting performance in Olympic sports. Journal of Sports Sciences, 27(13):1421–1431. Narrative review check pending
  2. Cardinale M, Varley MC (2017). Wearable training-monitoring technology: applications, challenges, and opportunities. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 12(Suppl 2):S255–S262. Narrative review check pending
  3. Balsalobre-Fernández C, Glaister M, Lockey RA (2015). The validity and reliability of an iPhone app for measuring vertical jump performance. Journal of Sports Sciences, 33(15):1574–1579. Source check pending
  4. Thornton HR, Delaney JA, Duthie GM, Dascombe BJ (2019). Developing athlete monitoring systems in team sports: data analysis and visualization. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 14(6):698–705. Narrative review check pending

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