From tracking heart rate to predicting injury risks, Artificial Intelligence is not just changing the way athletes perform — it’s transforming the very fabric of sports science.
As we enter a new era of data-driven performance, Dr Paul Grimshaw, an Associate Professor at Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), says: “AI has and will continue to revolutionise how we measure and enhance athlete performance and wearable technology is at the forefront of this transformation.”
Equipped with sensors and AI, wearable devices track key metrics like heart rate, movement and recovery in real time. As these devices become more advanced, they are seamlessly integrated with AI systems to offer personalised feedback, making them an indispensable tool for both individual athletes and entire teams.
“The wearables are getting better, smaller, more powerful and more accurate, as they are combined with artificial intelligence, which is also getting better by the day,” says Dr Paul Grimshaw, an expert in sports performance and technology.
For example, wearables for runners have come a long way in recent years. Not long ago, they simply tracked steps and distance. Now, they capture sophisticated metrics like cadence, step length and foot strike. By analysing this data in real-time, these devices can detect patterns, offer immediate feedback and provide actionable insights that help prevent injuries.
Says Dr Paul: “As you progress in sports, the margins between success and failure become slimmer and slimmer — every tenth of a second counts — and that’s where AI is making the most impact.
“With it, we are reaching unprecedented levels of precision. Athletes can fine-tune their technique, enhance their performance and push their limits like never before.”
Additionally, the real-time data from wearables doesn’t just enhance performance, it also plays a crucial role in protecting athletes from injuries.
“It analyses biometric and biomechanical data and detects anomalies — things like the force being exerted by a particular movement can lead to injury or fatigue after a specific period of time,” says Dr Paul. “This tells the athlete to either adjust their technique or schedule rest time. It can also predict optimal recovery strategies and provide personalised rehabilitation plans.”
"While wearables have come a long way, a certain degree of error will always be present," explains Dr Paul. "Users need to be particularly careful when using them to diagnose issues like fatigue or injury prevention."
He also stresses the importance of not over-relying on technology. "Wearables should complement, not replace, a well-rounded injury prevention strategy. Evaluations by sports medicine professionals and proper training methods remain crucial for an athlete's health and performance.
One of the early challenges faced by coaches and athletes with wearables and AI was the overwhelming amount of data they had to sift through. “While data is valuable, it only works if it can be understood and applied,” says Dr Paul. “Athletes and coaches don’t have the time to process thousands of data sets, which is where machine learning comes in.”
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