AI in Sports: A Game changer, not only for field enthusiasts

In the world of sports, the integration of advanced sensors, videos, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is driving a profound transformation. Athletes now have access to personalized data and insights to optimize their performance, while AI's predictive capabilities are helping teams anticipate and prevent injuries. Meanwhile, fans are experiencing an entirely new level of interaction through AI-powered platforms.

The fusion of sports and AI looks very promising and ML cubers decided to delve into this space as it connects both professional activities and personal delight.

AI-Enabled Insights: Enhancing Athlete Performance and Safety

Advanced sensors and videos offer athletes assistance in enhancing their performance through personalized data and insights about their activities. Interestingly, this wealth of biomechanical information can also be harnessed to analyze injury patterns.

Machine learning models have been trained using this data to predict such incidents, enabling teams to take proactive measures.

For example, players at risk could be advised to rest, hazardous training routines can be avoided, and coaches may strategically decide not to field them.

Although sports injury prediction is a burgeoning research area, most current studies tend to apply conventional techniques to this domain. Nevertheless, numerous companies are now developing solutions in response to the growing demand from sports teams.

The National Football League (NFL) has pioneered an artificial intelligence tool that utilizes TV imagery and helmet, mouth guard, and shoulder pad sensors to mitigate injuries in American football games. Considering the historical connection between head trauma in NFL games and brain damage in ex-footballers, these technologies also hold promise for improving the lives of former players.

In a separate study, Zone7 conducted a retrospective analysis of workload data and injury rates from 11 professional soccer teams in Europe and North America. The study revealed that out of 423 injuries across the teams, Zone7 accurately predicted an increased injury risk between one to seven days before 306 of these injuries occurred.?

AI in Team Decision-Making - Operational improvements

In sports like Formula 1, race cars generate an enormous amount of data, encompassing tire pressure, fuel consumption, lap times, and aerodynamic performance. This data is crucial for teams to optimize their car's performance and gain a competitive edge.

AI-driven analysis allows teams to uncover patterns and trends that would be impossible to detect through human analysis alone. Consequently, teams can make data-driven decisions during races, such as

• Timing: precise pit stop frequencies,
• Right tools selections: tires
• Assets’ adjustments: to the car's aerodynamics,?

maximizing their chances of success.?

Internal, external and competitor analysis?

Similarly, in rugby and football, AI platforms are transforming the way coaches make decisions, leveraging player performance and opponent analysis.

Tools like Kognia, employed by FC Barcelona, and Second Spectrum, used in NBA, MLS, and Premier League, employ machine learning algorithms to analyze player data, including speed, distance covered, and tackles made, to identify areas for improvement.

Coaches can then use this data to pinpoint their team's strengths and weaknesses, leading to informed decisions about substitutions, tactics, and training programs. Moreover, these platforms enable coaches to go through opponent data, such as formations, playing styles, strengths, and weaknesses, aiding in strategic decision-making for the upcoming match.?

AI for Content Distribution – Increased Interaction and Connection

Not only players benefit from AI.

Technology continuously revolutionizes how fans interact with the excitement.

The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) promises a transformative experience in content distribution, paving the way for an entirely novel and immersive viewing mode for sports enthusiasts.

Game preview and highlights

At the forefront of this transformation are AI's predictive capabilities, which allow to envision pivotal moments in sports events even before they occur. Try and picture having the ability to foresee crucial instances during a match or race.?

For instance, the Tour de France's groundbreaking AI model, "Le Buzz", demonstrates this potential. This intelligent system accurately predicts key moments in the race, such as the split in the peloton, or a change in race dynamics. These insightful forecasts add an exciting dimension to the spectator's experience, offering a deeper connection to the unfolding race.

The renowned Wimbledon tournament has harnessed AI's capabilities by partnering with IBM's Watson to transform highlight generation. Through the analysis of player reactions and crowd noises, AI algorithms swiftly identify the most captivating moments of a match. Gone are the days of waiting for hours to relive the best plays - within seconds of a match concluding, AI delivers a concise, action-packed highlight reel. This streamlined approach perfectly caters to the preferences of the new generation, which seeks instant gratification and engaging content.

Another example of this interactivity is the MLB's introduction of Gameday 3D, an AI- powered platform, which delivers an immersive viewing experience to baseball fans, “using real-time tracking data and letting you watch a play from any angle, as if were a video game”(1).?

Game statistics

Starting already, this flexibility is expected to grow more and more: fans will delve deeper into player statistics, access real-time analytics, and might even have the ability to control their viewing perspective through AI-guided drones, immersing themselves further in the action and adding a sense of participation to their viewing adventure.

Connections between fans and the idols – fans and their ‘peers’

Moreover, AI-powered chatbots and voice assistants enable fans to connect with their idols directly, providing the opportunity to ask questions and receive instant responses. This kind of interaction grants fans deeper insights into their beloved teams and players, creating a sense of intimacy and involvement. Take for example the International Tennis Hall of Fame's recent creation of a VR museum version that.

Finally –for this post - AI-driven technologies foster live discussions among fellow enthusiasts, enabling fans to engage in real-time conversations about ongoing matches and events. These interactive platforms facilitate stronger connections between sports teams and their fan base, ultimately leading to a more vibrant and engaged sports community.?

AI: a ‘good sport’

AI's impact on the sports industry goes beyond mere changes; it's a transformative force shaping the entire landscape, both the athletic and the business.?

As we progress, the integration of sports and AI will offer unparalleled opportunities for athletes, fans, and also managers. The future holds immense promise as AI-powered innovations elevate sports to new heights, delivering extraordinary experiences and redefining the very essence of the sports world.

AUTHORS

Alessandro Contu , Andrea Cerasani , Lorenzo Bisi , Alessio Russo , Antonio Riva

#ai #sports #machinelearning #predictive #training #contentgeneration

Resources

(1) https://www.pcmag.com/news/with-mlbs-3d-version-of-gameday-watch-plays-from-any- angle-like-a-video?