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Overview

How various applications of technology have influenced the way that sport is played. Students will be required to critique the relationship of sport and technology from a multidisciplinary perspective.

About this paper

Paper title Sports Technology
Subject Sport, Physical Education and Exercise
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,318.20
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
PHSE 202 or SPEX 202
Restriction
PHSE 329, PHSE 531
Schedule C
Science
Contact

chris.button@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Co-ordinator: Professor Chris Button
Guest Lecturers: Peter Lamb and Mark Falcous

Paper Structure

A combination of stimulus lectures, seminar discussions, practical workshops and offsite visits will be used. The range of topics that the paper typically covers includes:  fairness and the paradox of modern sport; materials and equipment technologies; clothing and exercise monitoring; technologies of the body; practice-enhancing technologies; officiating and media; doping; sports media and international trends; motion analysis; and sport technology in industry.

Teaching Arrangements
  1. Materials: Lecture objectives and notes will be provided electronically (on Blackboard) at least 24 hours before every lecture. They will list the learning outcomes of the lecture and provide copies of complex diagrams and space for you to write notes.
  2. Web resources: Material to support your learning, such as audiovisual aids and computer-assisted learning packages, will be provided on Blackboard.  There will also be useful web-based resources (e.g. videos, websites) posted regularly. There is also a discussion board for you to ask questions of tutors and other students.
Textbooks

A supplementary reading list will be provided in the course manual, which details the book chapter or research articles that complement each lecture. 

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes
  1. Provide historical overviews of disruptive sport technologies and predict some likely directions for the future
  2. Provide a critical analysis of how technology can impact upon sports performance, exercise and physical activity
  3. Debate the ethics/fairness of the role of sports technology
  4. List some of the main challenges for the sport technology industry in collecting, analysing and interpreting physical activity data
  5. Demonstrate a range of effective communication and presentation skills (e.g., verbal, written, digital)
  6. Display initiative and advanced learning skills (e.g., problem-solving, communication, critical analysis, leadership)

Overview

How various applications of technology have influenced the way that sport is played. Students will be required to critique the relationship of sport and technology from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Technology is fundamentally changing the nature of sport and exercise. In this paper, you will learn about how to appraise the historical impact of sport and exercise technologies in the past, present and potential future.

About this paper

Paper title Sports Technology
Subject Sport, Physical Education and Exercise
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
PHSE 202 or SPEX 202
Restriction
PHSE 329, PHSE 531
Schedule C
Science
Contact

chris.button@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Co-ordinator: Professor Chris Button

Guest Lecturers: Dr Peter Lamb and Associate Professor Mark Falcous

Paper Structure

A combination of stimulus lectures, seminar discussions, practical workshops and offsite visits will be used. The range of topics that the paper typically covers includes: fairness and the paradox of modern sport; materials and equipment technologies; clothing and exercise monitoring; technologies of the body; practice-enhancing technologies; officiating and media; doping; sports media and international trends; motion analysis, and sport technology in industry.

Teaching Arrangements
  1. Materials: Lecture objectives and notes will be provided electronically (on Aoroa) at least 24 hours before every lecture. They will list the learning outcomes of the lecture and provide copies of complex diagrams and space for you to write notes.
  2. Web resources: Material to support your learning, such as audiovisual aids and computer-assisted learning packages, will be provided on Aoroa. There will also be useful web-based resources (e.g., videos, websites) posted regularly. There is also a discussion board for you to ask questions of tutors and other students.
Textbooks

A supplementary reading list will be provided in the course manual, which details the book chapter or research articles that complement each lecture. 

Course outline

View the 2025 SPEX 311 Course Outline as a reference.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this paper will be able to:

  1. Provide historical overviews of disruptive sport technologies and predict some likely directions for the future
  2. Provide a critical analysis of how technology can impact upon sports performance, exercise and physical activity
  3. Debate the ethics/fairness of the role of sports technology
  4. List some of the main challenges for the sport technology industry in collecting, analysing and interpreting physical activity data
  5. Demonstrate a range of effective communication and presentation skills (e.g., verbal, written, digital)
  6. Display initiative and advanced learning skills (e.g., problem-solving, communication, critical analysis, leadership)
Assessment details
  • Individual project presentation
  • Group project report
  • Examination
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