Technological evolution and physical education, health and sport sciences

Abstract

　The Summer Olympic Games will soon be held in Japan. It is, therefore, relevant to consider the roles that sport plays in societies. While the attentional focus associated with any Olympiad is on elite sport, all of us at this important conference recognize the value that physical activity, through its related fields, has in healthy living. It is also appropriate that the focus of this keynote address is on the evolution of technology in the advancement of physical activity through physical education, health, and sport sciences. A product type model, originated by Pitts, Fielding, & Miller (1994) and adapted for this presentation by the keynoter (2019) is used as a framework for contemporary discussion. Sport-specific applications of technology in the areas of participation, performance, production, and promotion of physical activity through physical education, health and sport sciences will be provided. The power of the latest scientific knowledge and technological innovations, when linked together, can be referred to as sport technoscience. This technological evolution will be addressed in terms of how technology can impact broad-based participation, elite performance, quality of performance production, and promotion of physical activity. Finally, questions will be posed relative to participation in and contribution to the sport-technoscience discussion and ethical decision making between historic aims of sport and advancing thrust of technoscience.