Zero gravity sports

In the very distant future, there is no doubt that sports will still be around. I think that advancements in technology will eventually lead space into zero gravity environments. This will add a whole new perspective on the way sports is played. I can see many different sports being played in zero gravity such as football, tennis, and a type of basketball. Zero gravity will surely add a whole new dimension to these sports. There is also limitless opportunity to invent new games. Just think about it, athletes no longer have to be weighted down by gravity and can take their game playing to a whole 'nother level. But gliding around a zero gravity room and throwing around a ball is harder than it seems. Players are going to have to plan all of their moves in order to get to the ball, or anyplace they need to be. Once you bounce off the wall, your course is set and you cant change course until you hit another wall. This adds a whole new level of strategy into the games. The balls are going to have to be light so that less momentum transfers to the player when they hit it. Zero gravity games are definitely going to be hit once the time comes around but it won't be anytime soon.

Source:
http://www.spacefuture.com/tourism/sport.shtml

NASCAR Tire Development - A Look Ahead

The Indianapolis Raceway was resurfaced before the 2008 Brickyard race, this caused the tires used to wear down after about 10 laps and caused serious safety concerns. This lead to Goodyear re-examining their methods of developing and testing tires. An optical scanner was brought in by Goodyear to study the surface of the track. The use of the optical scanner to approach the problem from another angle not only lead to better tires being developed for the Indianapolis Raceway but opens the door for optical technology to be used in the development of tires for everyday use. A better understand of road surfaces will help in the development of safer tires for all vehicles. The cycle of raceway developments making their way to everyday road use continues.

References:

Website / Photo: Yahoo.com - 'Unprecedented' effort has led Goodyear back to Indy: http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news?slug=nascar_com-enterprise.inside.nascar.goodyear.indianapolis-20090722&prov=nascar_com&type=lgns

NASCAR Sponsorship - A Look Ahead

NASCAR, one of the richest sports, is looking for new ways to generate revenue with creative sponsorship. Looking beyond the sponsorship of cars and their drivers, NASCAR now has track / race name sponsorship. The newest sponsorship is from ServiceMaster Clean in the form of a sponsored yellow flag (yellow flags are used to tell drivers there is a hazard on the race track) in addition when the hazard (which could be trash or an accident on the track) needs to be cleaned up, yellow ServiceMaster Clean cars/trucks will come out to cleanup. This type of sponsorship is a first for NASCAR and signals a new thinking in out to generate revenue. Not only will these types of creative sponsorship help NASCAR remain competitive in tight economic times but allow for new sponsors to display their products to NASCAR fans. Exposing fans to products they made not be aware of will allow for smaller companies which may not be able to afford the costs of full car/team sponsorship to get their products notice by race watching public.

References:

Website: NHLOutsider - Creativity Key In Securing Newest NASCAR Sponsorship For Yellow Flag Cautions: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/111717-creativity-key-in-securing-newest-nascar-sponsorship-for-yellow-flag-cautions
Photos: Sportztoday.com - NASCAR: http://www.sportztoday.com/nascar/

NHL Goalies Masks - A Look Ahead

The primary function of the goalie mask is to provide protection for the goalie's face. Made from new energy resistance materials like fiberglass and Kevlar, the goalie mask has taken on another role, that of self expression for the goalie. This is best summed up in a quote from Toronto artist Dave Arrigo: "The goalie mask is a billboard to that player's soul". The use of the goalie mask as a form of self expression is a growing trend in the NHL. These works of art give the goal a way to standout and connect with fans on a more personal level. Skilled artists are being used to create the look and feel of the goalie mask art work.

References:

Website: NHLOutsider - The Art of an NHL Goalie Mask: http://mvn.com/outsider/2009/02/post-2.html
Photos: Flyershistory.net - Flyers Goalie Mask Gallery: http://www.flyershistory.net/cgi-bin/gm.cgi

Fighting in the NHL - A Look Ahead

In a game that features big fast players making crushing hits on the opposing player, tempers will flare and fights will breakout. General Managers will continue to try and curb fighting in the NHL and at least on the surface appear to clean up the game of hockey. The fact of the matter is fighting in the NHL is a point of attraction for many fans and fights help to sell tickets. Many news and web sites feature fights in the NHL as top stories and show video of the fights over and over. Society has voted and fighting will survive in the NHL for the years to come. The challenge of the General Managers is not to stop fighting but to keep it clean and balance protecting their investment in their player with meeting the demands of the fans.

References:

Website: ESPN.com - NHL general managers weigh in on fighting: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nhl&id=3967982
Photos: SportsClimax.com - NHL enforcer Boulton talks about fight rules: http://sportsclimax.com/tag/atlanta-thrashers/

Swimming Like Phelps

Swimming in the buff, the athletes of ancient Olympics believed clothes were a hindrance on performance. Modern technology, however, has changed that. Notably in swimming, the right suit can have an enormous impact. Introduced in February, Speedo's LZR swimsuit, 38 of the 42 world swimming records have been broken since then have fallen to swimmers wearing these suits. Some of those records have been claimed by less-than-notable racers, suggesting that the difference lies in the apparel, not the athlete.

The new suit is cut from a densely woven nylon-elastane material that compresses the wearer's body into a hydrodynamic shape but is extremely light. Moreover, there are no sewn seams. The first fully bonded bodysuit. The suit is ultrasonically welded, creating a smooth streamlined surface. Built with a core stabilizer, the suit holds the swimmer in a corset-like grip allowing to maintain the best body position in the water.

Sources:
Video - "How the Speedo LZR swim suit works"
http://blogs.howstuffworks.com/2008/04/21/how-the-fastest-swim-suit-works/
http://www.speedo80.com/lzr-racer/features/

The New Running Essential

What better companion then the Nike+. From the manufacturers who bring you the best running sneakers, not only help improve your running performance but now help you reach your personal goals. A partnership with Apple Inc, and their iPod technology comes a new technology for today's runner.

For only $29, you can add a running-oriented workout machine to your iPod. Allowing you to keep track of distance, pace and calorie data from your workouts. Once synced with Apple's own iTunes software, your data can be displayed showing you a summary of workouts. Sending your information to NikePlus.com transfers your data where you and all your friends can see your progress, help setting goals and keeping track of total mileage.

In addition, the software behind the device is what makes it so user-friendly. Allowing you to select your type of workout, such as, by distance, time, calorie count or an open-ended run. All while listening to your favorite playlist to help you push that extra mile. An extra feature built-in is the voiceover which counts down your time or distance remaining, which is a bonus encouragement.

Sources:

Photo - http://atjoburg.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/resize_article_photophp.jpeg

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2007/tc20070102_855465.htm