Which sport has been least impacted by technology in the last 50 years?

Primo Numero Uno wrote:

If we don't county PED's as technology or improved nutrition maybe Swimming. Obviously when they had the super suits that changed the game but once they banned those it seems like technology is relatively similar to 50 years ago.

Competitive Weightlifting. Clean and Jerk technology seems about the same.

I don't see guys swimming in the Mark Spitz speedos.

Also, pool design has played a role.

HRE wrote:

Bowling

Soccer

Water polo

Polo

Horseshoes

Rugby

Lacrosse (?)

Demolition derby

Cricket (?)

Polo at the highest levels routinely use cloned horses. Seriously. Entire teams ride the clones of famous and successful ponies of the past.

Primo Numero Uno wrote:

If we don't county PED's as technology or improved nutrition maybe Swimming. Obviously when they had the super suits that changed the game but once they banned those it seems like technology is relatively similar to 50 years ago.

Competitive Weightlifting. Clean and Jerk technology seems about the same.

Actually swimming has completely changed - not only have they completely changed one stroke (breaststroke) but the other three strokes have evolved as well. They actually had to change the rules because one swimmer (David Berkoff) swam underwater in the backstroke as much as he could.

Bad Wigins wrote:

The only major technological advance in basketball has been to not enforce traveling.

Do you watch basketball? There were 40% more three point attempts this season than there was just five seasons ago. And there's been an over 50% drop in shots from 16 feet to the 3 point line (16.2% to 7.7%). Unless you are arguing that analytics aren't technology.

Judd wrote:

Martial Arts, Synchronized Swimming, Equestrian, Water Polo and Gymnastics as far as Olympic events.

No. Gymnastics has changed a ton. Spring-loaded floors, new vaulting tables, etc. You don't know what you are talking about, do you?

MatthewXCountry wrote:

Judd wrote:

Martial Arts, Synchronized Swimming, Equestrian, Water Polo and Gymnastics as far as Olympic events.

No. Gymnastics has changed a ton. Spring-loaded floors, new vaulting tables, etc. You don't know what you are talking about, do you?

Also, the scoring system for elite gymnastics changed radically in 2006 with the revised Code of Points.

Bib #1 wrote:

Much has been made of impact of shoe technology to running. Not to mention pacing lights and track surfaces (cinder vs whatever tracks are made of these days).

Better clubs and balls have changed golf

Rackets and balls have transformed tennis

Bats and balls and mitts have impacted baseball

Bikes are way better for cyclists these days

Football maybe less so, although today’s footballs probably spiral better and may be easier to catch and handle due to more frequent replacement, better materials and better overall construction quality. Receivers and QBs also use tacky gloves not previously available. Today’s pads and helmets are better, obviously, mitigating injuries

Basketball is probably least impacted of all

Discus

I would say sports that are height-"prohibitive" have been affected the least. Like, no amount of technology will make your height difference in sports such as volleyball, basketball, rowing (or limb length for contact sports) stop being a disadvantage. Technology might have allowed some improvements here and there, but ya can't teach height or length.

Chet Manly wrote:

Bad Wigins wrote:

The only major technological advance in basketball has been to not enforce traveling.

Do you watch basketball? There were 40% more three point attempts this season than there was just five seasons ago. And there's been an over 50% drop in shots from 16 feet to the 3 point line (16.2% to 7.7%). Unless you are arguing that analytics aren't technology.

I believe the OP was referring to technological advancements in gear and equipment more than advanced stats influencing strategy.

In NYC, they had the big concrete walls where men played handball, usually 1-on-1. We called that 'American' handball, where the ball had to hit the wall first. As kids, we played 'chinese' handball, which is when a bunch of kids lined up in some order and the ball had to bounce on the floor before hitting the wall. The advantage to that is you only needed a few square feet to have a game. Cracks on the floor or wall made it all the more fun. I don't think tech has changed that game much.

subelite hobbyjogger wrote:

MatthewXCountry wrote:

No. Gymnastics has changed a ton. Spring-loaded floors, new vaulting tables, etc. You don't know what you are talking about, do you?

Also, the scoring system for elite gymnastics changed radically in 2006 with the revised Code of Points.

The scoring of gymnastics has changed over the decades with more points awarded for more athletic moves v dance. But that is not technology.

Rowing shells have changed a lot in 50 years.

Runner10287 wrote:

Chet Manly wrote:

Do you watch basketball? There were 40% more three point attempts this season than there was just five seasons ago. And there's been an over 50% drop in shots from 16 feet to the 3 point line (16.2% to 7.7%). Unless you are arguing that analytics aren't technology.

I believe the OP was referring to technological advancements in gear and equipment more than advanced stats influencing strategy.

Part of what drove the analytics was the ability to track players better with technology.

So there is this thing, human growth hormone. Might want to look in to how it is being used. Combined with steroids you have the current monsters of the nba. If you want a laugh look at the body types from old game footage compared to today.