How does technology affect performance, officiating and the experience of sport?
The use of technology in performance analysis, officiating and equipment, and the benefits and drawbacks of technology for performers, officials and spectators.
A focused answer to OCR A-Level PE on technology in sport: the use of technology in performance analysis and feedback, in officiating (goal-line technology, video review, Hawk-Eye), and in equipment, clothing and surfaces, and the benefits and drawbacks for performers, officials and spectators.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
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What this dot point is asking
OCR wants you to explain how technology is used in performance analysis, officiating and equipment, and evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of technology for performers, officials and spectators.
Technology in performance analysis
Technology in officiating
Technology in equipment, clothing and surfaces
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR 20184 marksExplain how technology is used to support officials, and give one benefit and one drawback of its use.Show worked answer →
A Component 03 Section B application question. Marks for the use, a benefit and a drawback.
Award marks for: officials are supported by technology such as goal-line technology (sensors and cameras that confirm whether the ball crossed the line), video review systems (VAR, the television match official, the decision review system in cricket) that re-examine key decisions, Hawk-Eye ball-tracking, and electronic timing and sensors. A benefit is greater accuracy and fairness, removing clear errors and giving the correct decision, which protects the integrity of the result. A drawback is the interruption to the flow of the game and the loss of spontaneity (delays for review), plus the cost, which limits it to elite levels, and disputes over subjective decisions that technology cannot fully settle.
Markers reward a named officiating technology, a benefit (accuracy and fairness) and a drawback (delay, cost or remaining subjectivity).
OCR 20218 marksEvaluate the impact of technology on performers, officials and spectators in modern sport.Show worked answer →
A Component 03 extended-response (levels of response) question. Markers reward benefits and drawbacks across the three groups (AO1 and AO2) and a reasoned judgement (AO3).
Award credit for: for performers, technology improves performance analysis and feedback (video, GPS, notational analysis), aids training and injury prevention and rehabilitation, and improves equipment, clothing and surfaces; drawbacks are the cost (which can widen the gap between rich and poor performers or nations) and debates over an unfair technological advantage. For officials, technology improves accuracy and fairness (goal-line technology, video review) but interrupts the flow and cannot settle every subjective call. For spectators, it enriches the experience (replays, statistics, tracking graphics) but the stoppages for review can frustrate and the best technology is concentrated at elite level. A reasoned answer judges that technology has improved fairness and the quality of performance and viewing, but raises issues of cost, access and the disruption of flow, so its overall value depends on how it is used and whether access is equitable.
A top answer balances benefits and drawbacks across performers, officials and spectators and concludes on cost, access and flow.
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Sources & how we know this
- OCR A Level Physical Education (H555) specification — OCR (2016)