Technology-based sports performance enhancement: A conference review
Hongyou Liu
Abstract
This review synthesizes the keynote presentations delivered at the 2024 International Conference on Sports Technology and Performance Analysis (ICSTPA 2024), highlighting advances in the interdisciplinary development of science and technology applied to health promotion, sports performance and physical education. Real-time physiological monitoring via AI-powered wearable technologies (e.g., wearable ECG shirts and cuffless blood pressure systems) enables personalized health and metabolic management. Measurement techniques for athletic performance (i.e., vertical jumps) have evolved from traditional jump mats to advanced automated systems based on deep neural networks, significantly improving accuracy and applicability in diverse environments. Additionally, machine learning-driven analyses of extensive match datasets in sports such as squash and soccer have identified hidden tactical patterns, thus providing quantitative foundations for tactical and training optimizations. Moreover, interactive educational innovations have emerged from the integration of wearable devices, mobile applications, and observational coaching tools. A novel psychological-fatigue threshold (PFT) concept has also been introduced, which incorporates psychological factors into the evaluation of decision-making and tactical performance of soccer players under high-intensity conditions. The ICSTPA 2024 conference demonstrated that technology-driven innovations are profoundly reshaping sports performance enhancement, health management, and motor skill development. Future research directions highlighted include expanding the application of AI-driven tools for real-time feedback, further refinement of psychological assessment frameworks, and enhanced integration of technology within practical sports training environments.