Augmented reality (AR) is quickly becoming more than a fad and is heading towards being a major player in the sports and fitness industry. From enhancing on-field gameplay to offering more immersive at home experiences, AR is giving both fans and athletes a new way of engaging with sports. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the rise of AR in sport and what the future holds for AR technology.
AR in Training
Athletes are majorly benefiting from the use of AR in a number of ways:
Better Insight into Form and Technique
AR offers athletes a chance to see their movements in real time. This information can then be used to optimise form and technique. Not only does this improve an athlete’s performance, but it can also reduce the potential for injury.
Improved Decision Making
AR can simulate high-pressure situations. These practice settings can help athletes cultivate their decision-making skills and apply these to real life scenarios, which can lead to better outcomes on the field.
AR Glasses
AR glasses are offering fans immersive experiences both at home and while attending matches in person. This technology means spectators can get real-time player statistics, field metrics, and historical comparisons as they are watching. And a casual fan wondering what is going on in rugby today, for example, could get an interactive AR breakdown of players, matches, and more, superimposed onto their coffee table.
eSports
AR has gone beyond the realm of physical sports – now eSports has entered the scene, and with it, AR is being used to transform how we experience and engage as players and fans. From enhanced viewing experiences and interactive gameplay, to a world of new possibilities for game developers, eSports has been revolutionised by AR.
The Downsides of AR
As with everything, there are downsides. Privacy issues are of great concern, as AR devices are constantly scanning and environments. Performance lag and motion sickness also remain a barrier for AR’s widespread adoption but with tech giants pushing for lighter, faster, and smarter hardware, these challenges may be short lived.
What is the Future of AR in Sport?
Within the next few years, gear such as AR powered glasses may become the norm at major events and AR in training facilities will continue to gain traction and improve athlete performances drastically. Whilst AR technology has some issues to iron out regarding privacy and performance, it’s likely that AR will integrate itself into all areas of sport and eSport within the next few years.
