i卡會員

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics during the past few years has been driving the global sports industry towards smartness and data-driven development. This has contributed to the creation of an expanding array of sports analysis tools and technologies, the accumulation of massive sports data assets and the significant growth of the sports technology market. 

Home workout was all the rage during the pandemic and sports technology took off. According to the sports technology market report by the research firm Markets And Markets, the overall sports industry market value reached $15.7 billion in 2020 due to COVID-19, and it is estimated to reach $40.2 billion by 2026, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.5%. During the forecast period, the sports data analytics market is expected to post the highest CAGR at 26.4%, followed by the smart stadiums market with a CAGR of 21.2%.

The use of AI has enabled the sports industry to establish a service process focused on data analytics and predictions. Rapid and accurate analysis can be provided through AI algorithms to effectively improve the performance of athletes. Many professional sports organizations have now introduced new technologies such as data analytics, smart stadiums, wearable devices, and esports to enhance team performance, attract fans, and provide intelligent infrastructure.

Smart stadiums have become one of the main trends in the development of the global sports technology industry. The innovative technologies in smart stadiums have spurred many global R&D projects, helping the sports industry in Europe and Asia Pacific to achieve high growth in the sports technology vertical.  

For example, IBM Watson used cheering sounds from past tennis matches to train an AI model in order to provide crowd cheering for live tennis matches during the US Open. AI and machine learning technologies have begun opening up new applications for sports technology in the post-pandemic era.

Meanwhile, wearable devices that enhance human-machine interaction are also driving growth in the sports technology market. These include activity trackers, smart clothing, smart glasses, smartwatches, and virtual and augmented reality devices. 

Wearables allow for hands-free operation, network communication, data analysis, and real-time data monitoring. In the sports technology market, the growth of esports has mainly benefited from the increasing popularity and promotion of electronic games. 

AI and machine learning technologies enhance the ability of information collection and analysis. Machine learning techniques perform statistical analysis on datasets to gain deep insights into a team's overall performance. The development of high computational capabilities has made it easy and practical for sports organizations to use predictive methods to analyze matches. AI can also be used to analyze data to identify and hopefully to prevent the circumstances likely to cause player injuries. 

With high computational capabilities, AI technologies will continue to develop in the sports technology market. The proliferation of AI and machine learning will help to analyze player performance and enable corrective measures to be taken in real-time to improve their overall performance. 

As the sports industry market continues to grow, policy measures can be put in place to support startups by offering assistance with the consolidation and integration of domain knowledge and platform development in the sports industry. This will promote new use cases of the sports technology and position Taiwan as a professional sports training base within the Asia-Pacific region allowing it to gain a foothold in sports technology development. 

Moreover, it is important to create a society of health empowerment given the aging of the global population. Physical examinations, fitness empowerment, and nutritional interventions should be implemented to avoid the health deterioration of the elderly. 

Empowered by the development of digital technology, fitness trackers have changed the way physical activities are monitored and tracked. It is now much easier than before to stay motivated and achieve fitness goals. This is also beneficial for elderly individuals who wish to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. Fitness trackers suitable for the elderly focus on the features that meet their unique needs and preferences.

Fitness trackers allow the elderly to take control of their own health by offering the following advantages: 

1. Activity monitoring: Fitness trackers provide accurate data on the number of steps taken, distance walked, and calories burned so that the elderly can track their daily activity levels and set achievable goals. 

2. Heart rate monitoring: Fitness trackers allow the elderly to monitor their heart rates during exercise and daily activities. This information is particularly valuable for those with cardiovascular conditions or those looking to maintain an appropriate exercise intensity. 

3. Sleep tracking: Many fitness trackers have sleep tracking functions that provide measurements of sleep quality, duration, and sleeping patterns. This information can help the elderly identify and address any sleep-related issues to improve their overall health.

4. Notifications and reminders: Fitness trackers can be set to send reminders for medication schedules, hydration goals, and other important tasks. Notifications for incoming phone calls, messages, or calendar events can also help the elderly to stay connected with loved ones and communities.

Fitness trackers can serve as a valuable tool in the daily lives of the elderly, helping them to stay active, monitor their health, and remain connected with loved ones. By prioritizing the comfort, ease of use, and functionality of fitness trackers, the elderly can manage their own health. 

The ICT (information and communication technology) solution capabilities of Taiwanese companies may potentially become an export advantage. By focusing on health promotion to address the physical conditions of the elderly, businesses can provide personalized and customized exercise guidance. The outlook is bright, provided that the related industries proactively develop a diversity of fitness empowerment solutions suited to the needs of the elderly.