Bridging the Future of Sports and Related Fields of Study

Hands-on experience. Expert training. Cutting-edge research. Innovation approaches. All of these focuses are at the forefront of the sports world – and the Physical Therapy (PT) and Occupational Therapy (OT) departments at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS), both of which call Bridgeside Point I home. So it only made sense to bridge these topics and communities in an early-morning activation.

Our “arena” was the first floor lobby, where we hosted a Coffee Talk: The Future of Sports Technology to discover what new inventions would make sports more fun to play or watch. Gathering over coffee and doughnuts, it was no surprise that attendees had several ideas to share, especially given the professions and areas of study of our community members. 

From the responses received, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) were popular themes, ranging from VR-infused viewing experiences to AR-induced interactions. Smart technologies and monitoring metrics, such as speed, strength, and endurance (to name a few) were also repeatedly mentioned. Additionally, discussions included COVID-19, and how it has pushed technology to make vast changes, like stadium entry protocols. Being “hands-on” or able to interact with a game or a sporting event while it’s happening (for instance, tablets in the backs of stadium chairs) was also highly desirable.

With breakthrough research, clinical experience, and best practices top-of-mind for the competitive fields of sports, PT, and OT, it’s exciting to see where the future will take us.