128 Advancements in Modern Sports Medicine, Technology, and Rehab

Introduction:

Advancements in sports medicine, technology, and rehab have allowed athletes to perform at higher levels for greater lengths, especially through the 21st century.

Connection to STS:

In this chapter, we’ll discover how science and technology have helped change the perspective of athletes and their playing careers. We’ll delve into specific examples of new medicine, game-changing technology, and advanced rehabilitation procedures all used to boost performance. Sports play a large role in society, by connecting cities and fans through wanting to win. Having athletes that can perform at higher levels for longer periods of time help create a more connected fanbase and an overall positive impact to society.

Medicine:

Recent innovations in sports medicine have been aimed at improving diagnosis, treatment, and recovery from injuries. Interdisciplinary research has advanced the repair of complex injuries, such as rotator cuff tears, spinal issues, and ligament injuries, with improved surgical techniques and novel materials for repairs. Biomarkers are also used as predictors for outcomes in surgery, like spinal fusions, providing more personalized recovery plans. For injuries like the rotator cuff tears, modern treatments include using suture anchors with biologically enhanced materials, which showed improved recovery outcomes. For ligament injuries, such as ACL tears, modern methods use advanced techniques that preserve ligament attachment points to reduce long-term cartilage degeneration. Multiple athletes have undergone torn ligaments and have made full recoveries, including Jamal Murray, who tore his ACL in 2021. However, through advanced recovery methods, he was able to help his team win an NBA championship just over a year later.

Technology:

The role of technology in sports has evolved tremendously in recent history. Especially in modern times, artificial intelligence has created new ways in which athletes can train and perform to better themselves. Examples include the use of VR for realistic training, GPS for tracking movement, and advanced materials in sportswear that improve aerodynamics and comfort. Enhanced data-gathering tools are emphasized for providing actionable feedback to athletes and coaches. For virtual reality, Olympians have utilized this technology to help with rehabilitation as well. Within the controlled environments, specialized training and real-time feedback helps athletes maintain motivation and improve their recovery process through immersive and sport-specific simulations. In rugby and soccer, GPS tracking is employed to help track statistics and performance during these high-intensity, run-heavy matches. The technology can track miles run as well as heart rate and other figures to help analyze overall performance.

Rehab:

Finally, rehab methods paired with these new medicines and technology have bettered athletes’ performance and training. For example, virtual reality and simulation technologies are now used in physical rehabilitation, providing immersive environments for therapy that enhance engagement and adherence. Percussive therapy devices, like the TheraGun, apply targeted vibrations to speed up muscle recovery by promoting blood flow and reducing lactic acid buildup. Motion capture and biomechanics analysis systems allow for precise correction of movement patterns to prevent re-injury. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is also a way in which new therapy treatments have helped athletes. HBOT helps increase the amount of oxygen in the blood, which helps speed up recovery and treatment. Lebron James has used this method in his recovery techniques. Paired with (I’m sure) numerous other advancements in sports science, Lebron has been able to play at the highest level for 20 years.

Conclusion:

in progress

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