The use of technology is sport has increased dramatically over the last twenty (20) years. At the elite level training facilities now routinely include: gyms, biomechanic technology, physiological testing, in-door and outdoor facilities and plenty of training equipment. There have been massive advances in the technology of equipment as well. Equipment such as cricket bats have become larger and lighter, with larger “sweet spots”, tennis rackets are lighter and have longer handles, balls have changed from leather to synthetic, GPS devices are used at training and during competition, and much more. 

The HSC PDHPE syllabus though does not want you to focus on the use of technology advances per say, but whether the use of these technologies is fair. They must be considered from an ethical point of view. Technology often has a high cost and is not available to everyone, giving some athletes an advantage not available to others and not based on their abilities or efforts.

Students learn about

• use of technology
  • training innovation, eg lactate threshold testing, biomechanical analysis
  • equipment advances, eg swimsuits, golf ball

Student learn to:

• describe how technology has been used to improve performance

• argue ethical issues related to technology use in sport such as:
  • has technology gone too far?
  • has access to technology created unfair competition?