IGCSE PE 0413 · Area 4 · Social, Cultural & Ethical Influences

Technology in Sport

Cambridge splits this subtopic into three uses of technology and then asks you to judge its effect on four different groups. Students who can name the technology usually lose the evaluation marks because they never say who is affected and how.

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Syllabus coverage

  • The use of technology in sport for decision-making by officials, e.g. in tennis, football and rugby
  • The use of technology in sport for recording time and distance, e.g. in athletics
  • The use of technology in sport for enhancing performance, e.g. in cycling
  • The positive and negative impact of technology on officials, performers, the audience / spectators, and the sport or event

Part of the IGCSE PE 0413 syllabus 0413 / 0995.

Technology in sport: what it is used for, and its impactDecision-making byofficialsGoal-line technology, videoreview, hawk-eyeRecording time anddistancePhoto finish, electronic timing,laser measurementEnhancing performanceAerodynamic cycling kit, forceplates, motion trackingImpact, group by groupGroupPositive impactNegative impactOfficialsMore accurate and consistent decisionsDecisions still debated; slows the gamePerformersBetter equipment, feedback, injury preventionExpensive; those without lose outSpectatorsReplays, statistics, better understandingDelays, controversy, cost of accessSport or eventFairer results, wider reach, more revenueCost, and over-reliance on technologyAn evaluate question needs a supported judgement: weigh the gains against the costs and state what you conclude.
The three uses of technology in sport — decision-making by officials, recording time and distance, and enhancing performance — with the groups each one affects.

The three uses Cambridge tests

Every question in this subtopic comes back to three uses. Learn them as a set, because one-mark questions simply ask you to name one.

Decision-making by officials — technology that helps a referee, umpire or judge get a decision right. The syllabus points you to tennis, football and rugby.

Recording time and distance — technology that measures performance accurately, with the syllabus using athletics as its example.

Enhancing performance — technology that helps a performer go faster, further or more consistently, for example in cycling.

The three overlap, but Cambridge marks them separately, so answer the use that has actually been asked for.

Read the sport named in the question. If it says rugby, do not write about tennis — the examiner is testing whether you can apply the technology to the sport in front of you.

Decision-making by officials

Officials cannot see everything, and a decision can turn a match. Technology gives them evidence rather than a guess.

  • Tennis — ball-tracking technology rules whether a serve or shot landed in or out, so a close line call no longer depends on one umpire's eyesight.
  • Association Football — goal-line technology tells the referee whether the ball has fully crossed the line, and video review allows offside and penalty decisions to be checked.
  • Rugby — a television match official reviews footage of a try, a grounding or foul play and advises the referee, who can also see replays on the big screen.
  • Communication — headsets and microphones let officials talk to each other, and assistance from a video official, so a decision is shared rather than made alone.
The mark is in the effect on the decision: the technology makes the correct outcome more likely. "They use Hawk-Eye in tennis" on its own is a name, not an explanation.

Recording time and distance

In athletics, results are decided by margins a stopwatch and a tape measure cannot settle reliably, so technology removes human error from the measurement.

Electronic timing records a sprinter's time to a fraction of a second, started by the gun and stopped automatically at the finish line, so times are accurate and comparable between competitions.

Photo finish images the moment each athlete crosses the line, so places can be separated when two performers look level to the eye.

Chip timing uses a device worn by each competitor to record their own time, which is how large fields in a cross-country or road race are all timed accurately.

Laser measurement replaces the tape measure for long jump, triple jump and throwing events, so distances are read quickly and precisely.

The consequence for the sport is that records can be trusted and close results can be proved, so fewer results are decided by protest or opinion.

Enhancing performance

The syllabus uses cycling as its example because almost every part of a cyclist's ride can now be measured or improved by equipment.

Aerodynamics — lightweight frames, aerodynamic helmets and skin suits reduce drag, so the performer travels faster for the same effort.

Power meters and heart rate monitors — these measure the work the performer is producing and how hard the body is working, so training can be set at the right intensity instead of guessed.

Data analysis and motion capture — pedalling technique, bike position and race tactics can be filmed and analysed, so the performer and coach change what the data shows to be inefficient.

Wind tunnels and altitude training — air flow can be tested before a race and training can be planned for conditions where the air is thinner.

The same pattern applies elsewhere — lighter, stronger equipment, protective kit and monitoring devices are used to raise performance in most sports — but cycling is the example the syllabus gives you.

The impact of technology on the four groups

This is the evaluation half of the subtopic and the table below is the answer. Note the structure: the same technology can help one group and harm another, so you must name the group before you give the impact.

A question might ask about one group, about all four, or about positives and negatives together. Learn the four groups as four separate columns of knowledge.

Group affectedPositive impactNegative impact
OfficialsThey get decisions right more often, so results are fairer and the pressure on one person's judgement is reducedReviews take time and break up the flow of the game; an official can be criticised for relying on the technology or for misreading it, and some feel their authority is undermined
PerformersBetter equipment, accurate feedback and monitoring improve performance, and protective technology reduces the risk of injuryEquipment costs money, so performers who can afford it gain an unfair advantage; a performer can feel the technology decided the result rather than their own effort; being measured constantly adds pressure
Audience / spectatorsDecisions are clearer, replays explain what happened, on-screen graphics and statistics add interest, and coverage reaches people who could not be thereLong stoppages for reviews interrupt the excitement; a crowd that cannot see or hear the review is left confused, and the atmosphere of the moment can be lost
Sport or eventA higher and fairer standard of competition, a reputation for accurate results, and more attractive coverage for sponsors, media and spectatorsTechnology is expensive, so poorer clubs or nations cannot compete on equal terms; the sport can become dependent on it; cost keeps rising and the traditions or simplicity of the sport may be lost
Never write "technology is good and bad for the sport". Name the group, name the technology, then give the effect: "Video review helps officials get offside decisions right, so the result is fairer, but the stoppage interrupts the game for spectators."

Turning knowledge into marks

A state question needs one named use: "Technology is used to help officials make decisions."

A describe question needs the technology plus what it does: "In rugby a television match official reviews the video of a try and advises the referee, so the referee can award a try knowing the grounding was legal."

An analyse or evaluate question needs a named group and both sides: "For spectators, video review makes decisions clearer, but the wait for the decision interrupts the game and can lose the atmosphere of the moment."

Key terms you must be able to define

Ball-tracking technology
A system that tracks the flight of a ball and shows exactly where it landed, used to rule on line calls in tennis.
Goal-line technology
A system that tells the referee whether the ball has fully crossed the goal line.
Video review
Checking television footage of an incident to confirm or overturn a decision made on the field.
Television match official (TMO)
A video official who reviews footage and advises the referee in rugby.
Electronic timing
Automatic timing started by the gun and stopped at the finish line, recording performance to a fraction of a second.
Photo finish
An image of the moment performers cross the line, used to separate places in a close finish.
Chip timing
A device worn by each competitor that records their individual time, allowing a large field to be timed accurately.
Power meter
A device that measures the work a performer is producing, used in cycling to set and check training intensity.
Wearable technology
A device worn by a performer, such as a heart rate monitor or GPS tracker, that records data about their performance.

Applied to your sport

Cambridge requires you to apply this knowledge to physical activities. Use these as models, then write your own for the sport you play.

Tennis

Ball-tracking technology shows whether a serve landed in or out, so a player can challenge a close line call and the umpire's decision can be corrected.

Association Football

Goal-line technology confirms whether the whole ball crossed the line, and video review allows offside and penalty decisions to be checked, so fewer results turn on a wrong decision.

Rugby Union

The television match official reviews the video of a try and advises the referee, who can also watch the replay on the big screen with the crowd.

Track and Field Athletics

Electronic timing and photo finish decide sprint places to a fraction of a second, while laser measurement replaces the tape for long jump and throwing events.

Cycling

Aerodynamic frames, helmets and skin suits reduce drag, and power meters record the work produced, so performers and coaches can target training and measure the gain.

Flashcards

Click a card to flip it. Mark honestly — the tracker uses this.

Q1State the three uses of technology in sport.
Decision-making by officials; recording time and distance; enhancing performance.
Q2How is technology used for decision-making in tennis?
Ball-tracking technology shows whether the ball landed in or out, so a close line call can be checked and corrected.
Q3How is technology used for decision-making in rugby?
A television match official reviews footage of a try, grounding or foul play and advises the referee, who can show the replay on the big screen.
Q4Give two ways technology records performance in athletics.
Electronic timing, started by the gun and stopped at the finish, and the photo finish image that separates performers who look level.
Q5What is chip timing used for?
A device worn by each competitor records their own time, so a large field in a cross-country or road race can all be timed accurately.
Q6How does technology enhance performance in cycling?
Aerodynamic frames, helmets and skin suits reduce drag, and power meters measure work output so training intensity can be targeted.
Q7Which four groups does the syllabus ask about the impact of technology?
Officials; performers; the audience / spectators; the sport or event.
Q8Give one negative impact of technology on officials.
Reviews take time and interrupt the flow of the game, and the official can be criticised for relying on the technology or misreading it.
Q9Give one positive and one negative impact of technology on performers.
Positive: better equipment, accurate feedback and protective kit improve performance and reduce injury. Negative: the equipment costs money, so performers who can afford it gain an unfair advantage.
Q10Give one negative impact of technology on the sport or event.
Technology is expensive, so poorer clubs or nations cannot compete on equal terms, and the sport can become dependent on it.
Q11Give one positive and one negative impact of technology on spectators.
Positive: replays and on-screen graphics make decisions clearer and add interest. Negative: long stoppages for reviews interrupt the excitement and can kill the atmosphere.
0 of 11 marked as known

Exam-style questions

7 questions, 22 marks. Write your answer, then reveal the mark scheme and tick each point you actually made. Answering honestly here is what makes the rest of the site useful.

StateAO11 mark
State one use of technology in sport.

Mark scheme — tick each point you actually made

Any 1 of these score full marks. The examiner only needs 1 distinct point - pick the ones you actually made.
Examiner tip: One mark, one use. Do not describe it — the command word is state.
IdentifyAO12 marks
Identify two sports in which technology is used to help officials make decisions.

Mark scheme — tick each point you actually made

Any 2 of these score full marks. The examiner only needs 2 distinct points - pick the ones you actually made.
Examiner tip: Names only, one mark each. Both examples should come from the syllabus list.
ExplainAO23 marks
Explain how technology helps officials to make correct decisions in Association Football.

Mark scheme — tick each point you actually made

Examiner tip: Name the technology, say what it detects, then say what that means for the decision.
ExplainAO23 marks
Explain how technology is used to record performance in Track and Field Athletics.

Mark scheme — tick each point you actually made

Examiner tip: The mark is the accuracy it gives, not the name of the device. Always add what the measurement means for the result.
ExplainAO24 marks
Explain how technology is used to enhance performance in Cycling.

Mark scheme — tick each point you actually made

Examiner tip: Four marks, four different pieces of technology. Two sentences about helmets is one mark.
AnalyseAO24 marks
Analyse the positive and negative impact of technology on the audience / spectators at a Tennis or Rugby event.

Mark scheme — tick each point you actually made

Examiner tip: Analyse means both sides, with the effect spelled out. Give two positives and two negatives and label them — never write one balanced sentence and hope.
EvaluateAO25 marks
Evaluate the impact of technology on the sport or event.

Mark scheme — tick each point you actually made

Examiner tip: A five-mark evaluate answer needs both sides and a decision. Two positive points, two negative points, then a conclusion that weighs them.

Exam technique for this topic

  • Name the group before the impact. Marks are lost by writing about technology in general when the question asks about spectators or officials.
  • Learn one piece of technology per syllabus example: ball-tracking in tennis, goal-line technology and video review in football, the television match official in rugby, electronic timing in athletics, power meters and aerodynamics in cycling.
  • For positive and negative questions, answer in pairs. "Positive: ... Negative: ..." is faster to mark and easier to keep count of than two paragraphs.
  • Watch the command word. Describe wants the technology and what it does; analyse or evaluate needs the effect and a judgement.
  • Use only activities from the syllabus list — Tennis, Association Football, Rugby, Track and Field Athletics and Cycling all come directly from this subtopic.

Why students lose marks here

A student wroteTechnology helps the sport because it makes it fair.
Why it loses marksNo group is named and no technology is named, so the examiner cannot credit it. Impact questions always need the group and the technology.
The answer that scoresVideo review helps officials in Association Football, because offside and penalty decisions can be checked against footage, so a wrong decision is less likely to decide the result.
A student wrotePhoto finish is used in football to decide goals.
Why it loses marksThe technology has been matched to the wrong sport. Photo finish records the moment performers cross a line and is used in Track and Field Athletics.
The answer that scoresPhoto finish is used in Track and Field Athletics to separate athletes who finish level to the eye; in Association Football, goal-line technology is used to decide whether the ball crossed the line.
A student wroteTechnology is always good for spectators because they can watch it on television.
Why it loses marksThis gives only one side and only one idea. Impact questions reward balance, and 'watching on television' is about coverage, not about the effect on those at the event.
The answer that scoresFor spectators, technology is positive because replays and on-screen statistics make it clear what has happened and why a decision was made. It is negative because reviews stop the game for several minutes, which interrupts the excitement and can take the atmosphere out of the moment.
A student wroteCyclists use technology to record their time and distance.
Why it loses marksTime and distance recording is the syllabus example for athletics. In cycling, the technology is used to enhance performance through equipment and data.
The answer that scoresIn cycling, technology enhances performance: aerodynamic frames, helmets and skin suits reduce drag so the performer goes faster for the same effort, and power meters measure the work produced so training can be set at the right intensity.

Where this fits in IGCSE PE 0413

This page is one topic of Cambridge IGCSE PE 0413 / 0995. IGCSE PE 0413 is the course home: every area and every topic in Cambridge's own order, the papers you sit and what each one tests, and the exam-practice tools. The full topic list, with each topic linked to its revision page, is on the IGCSE PE 0413 syllabus page.