The sports technology ecosystem has never been more diverse, innovative or essential to the success of athletes, teams and leagues. As a result, emerging trends in the industry are driving a range of solutions that span athletic performance and injury prevention to business operations and fan engagement.

One such trend is the increasing adoption of data analytics to enable players and coaches to make data-driven decisions during games, resulting in better strategic outcomes. This is being augmented by a focus on immersive technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), which enhance the fan experience with real-time stats, player data and interactive visuals. VR also has applications in athlete training, such as allowing players to simulate game scenarios in a controlled environment.

Another key trend is the growing emphasis on wearable technology to monitor player health metrics and biomechanics, as well as to improve athletic training and prevent injuries. This is being complemented by the growth of sportswear companies that offer instrumented mouthguards such as HITIQ, which are designed to detect concussions, potentially saving athletes’ careers by helping them return to play at the right time.

A final key trend is the increased accessibility of sports technology, enabling all clubs, from the elite to the grassroots, to adopt more comprehensive and data-driven approaches to their athlete development and training. This is being facilitated by digital platforms such as Vector Core, which simplify the process of load management and merging wearable data with video analysis.