IBM
Watson is taking athletics training to a whole new level. The goal of IBM is to maximize the
performance of elite runners using their technology of data analysis. The reasoning for using this technology is
flawless, however will not having an actual coach have an effect on the runners
who are participating in this revolutionary project?
This technology could undoubtedly be
a game changer in the sport of competitive running as well as other
sports. Although sports medicine is a
very advanced field, the rapid updates that IBM could potentially relay to
athletes is unmatched by humans. The
second part of this technology that is a major improvement is IBM’s ability to
be one hundred percent accurate as it pertains to the treatment an athlete
needs to receive. This would cover
injuries and potential injuries, nutrition, fatigue, and stress levels. IBM Watson would also be able to take small
variables into effect like travel schedules and body recovery time after
competition. This technology could also
potentially save sports teams as well as individual players a lot of
money. If potential injuries are
identified and treated right away, the chances of an elite player suffering a
career ending injury would definitely decrease.
The reason for the usage of IBM Watson for this analysis would be to
figure out how the best runners in the world train. How is it that all of the best runners in the
world come from approximately the same place?
This is what IBM Watson would be used to figure out.
Should IBM Watson be taken seriously
on this matter? I strongly believe it
should be. Technology has worked wonders
for a lot of athletes. We have learned
that different equipment works better for different people. If IBM Watson could tailor a fitness regiment
for the best athletes in the world, there is no telling how great those
athletes could be. Should coaches be
substituted for computers? I do not
think so. Coaches offer a certain support
and motivation that are necessary for success.
“Mark Rowland, the head coach for Oregon Track
Club Elite…views Coach Watson as more of a coaching assistant rather than a
competitor, according to Moore. Partnering with Coach Watson will be a way for
Rowland to keep up-to-date with the latest research, to support his gut
instincts with data-driven decisions, and to make sense of all the
physiological and biomarker data that’s now possible to collect from athletes
to gain a competitive edge” (Basulto).
Overall, there is no reason why IBM Watson should not be used in the
training process. It is a revolutionary technology
that could maximize athlete performance as well as offer protection of
athletes.
Basulto, Dominic. "What IBM Watson Can Do for Elite
Athletes." Washington Post. The Washington Post, n.d. Web. 01 Oct.
2015.
I agree with the post that Watson would be an asset to the training world; athletes could see statistics on their workouts and races, thus showing them which areas they need to improve on. It also provides an added bonus to help coaches "draft" a team; they can look at the data of potential players or team members to see their injury probability in order to assemble a less volatile team.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I do see how Watson could be beneficial to athletes and coaches, I could see how it could be used as a mechanism for cheating. Since any technology can be hacked, Watson could be hacked by an athlete's competitor to see their training mechanisms and gain an unfair advantage. Also, the lack of human input on training regimines that could result if Watson fully replaces a coach could actually lead to more injury. Sometimes, data is not enough to prevent injury, so it is necessary for a coach to be paired with this software in order to protect athlete safety.