Digitalization in Sports

Sports itself is defined by physical activities with a playful and competitive character. Sport takes place as recreational and competitive sports. The topic of digitalization in sports stands for the digital mapping of movement sequences, the measurement of fitness values, the evaluation of training results, GPS tracking in soccer, the simulation of training sessions, RFID time recording at running events, and the analysis of movement sequences. On the spectator side, the main focus lies on enhancing the sporting experience through digital opportunities for participation and to increase the convenience of attending sporting events.

The sports production industry acts like a manufacturing industry. The care and transportation of athletes and services for spectators and fans are all about logistics, such as mobility and supply.

Overall, digitalization of companies in the sports sector is about combining sport and technology. Wireless IoT technology in particular, with a focus on wireless sensor technology, optimizes sports operations.

The range of application fields in sports shows that sports is made up of different aspects including competition, events, fitness, health, entertainment, production, and logistics, and therefore a wide variety of wireless IoT solutions are used.

The sports industry is very diverse and includes producers, active players, passive participants, and service providers.

The following list shows how diverse the sports industry is. However, it cannot be described as an industry. It is a lucrative economic sector, as it accounts for a large proportion of the leisure sector.

• Sporting goods manufacturers produce, for example, sneakers, sportswear, and sports equipment. However, this segment also includes the fields of ergonomics, mechanics, design, marketing, physiology, materials research, and biomechanics.
• Sales and marketing of equipment and clothing, such as sports equipment, shoes, jerseys, or protective equipment.
• Organization of sports leagues and events in which professional athletes participate. Examples include the German Football League, the NBA, the NFL, and other major international leagues and competitions.
• Sports activities at a non-professional level, including school and club sports, as well as recreational sports. Amateur sports encourages mass participation and is often integrated into local communities and educational institutions.
• Gyms, personal training, yoga studios, pilates, online fitness platforms and other services that focus on physical health and fitness.
• TV stations, radio stations, online streaming services, sports journalism, and all other media formats that report on sports, broadcast sporting events, and produce content relating to sports topics.
• Marketing of sporting events, teams and individual athletes, as well as sponsorship agreements in which companies acquire advertising rights to sports facilities, events, and athletes. This involves the organization and management of sports activities and facilities, including the representation of athletes by agencies, the management of sports facilities, and the organization of events.
• The field of sports science is concerned with the further development and investigation of technologies to improve sports performance including biomechanics, sports psychology, nutritional science, and the development of sports technologies such as wearables and performance analysis tools.
• Operators of stadiums and sports facilities, and rental of commercial space in the vicinity of sporting events.
• Sports physicians and rehabilitation centers that specialize in sports injuries.

Various products and tools are used in the sports industry to measure sporting performance and training success, to track players and equipment, or to optimize the spectator experience. For example, RFID tags can be embedded in jerseys or equipment as a counterfeit protection measure, to confirm authenticity. In some cases, Bluetooth LE or RFID tags are also used to monitor athletes’ performance by measuring position or speed, for example.

Bluetooth LE and LoRaWAN hardware are often used in conjunction with wearables and sensors to collect real-time health data and performance indicators from athletes. Bluetooth LE is often used in smaller, wearable devices due to its low power consumption, while LoRaWAN is often used in environments where both longer range and lower power consumption are required. Scanners and antennas are used to scan tickets and access authorizations at sporting events. GPS trackers can also be used for the same purpose. Based on the health and fitness data, performance analyses and coaching sessions are created.

Various trackers, often linked to GPS, are also integrated to track the movements and performance of athletes. This data is important for training and performance analysis.

How does 5G work in sports? Adidas is developing sportswear with an integrated 5G mobile phone and display. This will allow athletes to read their training data without a smartphone. In future, the clothing will even be able to generate the electricity required for this itself.

Antennas can also be part of a larger RFID system to track tickets and merchandise. High-resolution cameras are used to record and analyze matches. They also enable the use of video evidence in controversial decisions in many sports. In addition to RFID tags, special labels and transponders are also used in sports equipment and gear to make them easier to track and manage.

Wireless label printers and card production systems are used when tickets, chip cards, or accreditation need to be produced. Software solutions are used to analyze and evaluate the captured data.

According to a report by ‘GlobalData’, growth in the IoT market for sports solutions will increase by more than 15 percent between 2022 and 2027. IoT software products and services will account for the largest share.

According to a report by ‘Mordor Intelligence’, revenue growth for wearable IoT devices such as fitness watches or smart sportswear will increase by more than 4 percent between 2024 and 2029. This growth will be driven by increasing demand, advances in communication protocols, and the miniaturization of sensor technology. 5G connectivity, in particular, continues to drive the IoT sports market.

The possibilities for process optimization in sports are complex and involve various solutions, application scenarios, and players.

Sportswear

The integration of RFID technology into sports shoes is an innovative application that is becoming increasingly widespread in the sports industry. RFID tags integrated into sports shoes can be used to uniquely identify athletes. This is particularly useful in team sports where players frequently change their shoes, as it can be used to track exactly which athlete is wearing which pair of shoes.

By integrating RFID or Bluetooth LE into sports shoes, helmets, or jerseys, performance data such as running speed, distance, cadence, and movement patterns can be captured in real time. This data can be used to analyze the performance of the atheletes, optimize training sessions, and minimize the risk of injury.

In sports stores and sports clubs, RFID tags can be used in sports shoes for inventory tracking and RFID anti-theft protection. With the help of RFID scanners, retailers and clubs can quickly determine which shoes are in stock, which have been sold, and which are missing

By equipping sports shoes with RFID, retailers and brands are able to make personalized offers and recommendations based on customer purchase and usage data. This can help to strengthen customer loyalty and improve the shopping experience.

RFID can also be used as an authentication solution for sports shoes, to ensure that they are genuine and not counterfeit. Detailed product information such as material, manufacturing location, and care instructions can also be accessed via RFID tags.

Competitions

In competitions, RFID technology is used in various sports to identify athletes and track their performance. For example, RFID tags can be used in running shoes or race numbers to accurately record the times of runners in marathons. In team sports such as soccer, RFID tags in jerseys or balls can be used to track the position of players and collect performance data. Sensors in fitness equipment, sportswear, and wearable devices measure various parameters such as heart rate, step count, calories burned, sleep patterns, and movement.

This data is transmitted wirelessly and can be used to optimize training, monitor performance, and track health goals. The data can also be used to measure the stress levels of athletes, prevent over-training, and optimize recovery. In some sports, such as tennis and basketball, wireless IoT solutions are used to equip playing fields and courts with sensors that can track player movements and actions. This enables detailed analysis of player performance and tactics, and supports referees in their decisions.

Sports Stadiums

Wireless IoT technologies can also be used to improve security in sports stadiums by supporting real-time monitoring systems, intrusion detection, and access control. This enables the effective monitoring and control of access to different areas of the stadium, as well as rapid response to security incidents.

Spectators can use personalized tickets, or tickets with embedded RFID tags or NFC chips to pass through turnstiles or other access points. This enables fast and efficient ticket control and prevents queues and crowds at the entrances. Wireless payment technologies such as NFC technology and mobile wallets are used in sports stadiums for the purchase of food, drinks, merchandise items, and other services. Spectators can use their smartphones or contactless credit/debit cards to pay quickly and securely without having to carry cash.

By integrating wireless IoT solutions, tickets can also be purchased, stored, and scanned on smartphones. This offers spectators more flexibility and convenience when purchasing and accessing tickets. By integrating wireless IoT solutions, sports stadiums can also collect data on spectator behavior to provide personalized offers, promotions, and discounts. This contributes to customer loyalty and creates additional revenue opportunities for stadium operators and merchandisers. Overall, wireless IoT solutions are helping to make access to sports stadiums safer, more efficient, and more user-friendly, while creating new opportunities for customer engagement, marketing, and revenue generation.