Ethics and Technology in Sports Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, biological systems, and ethical, environmental, political, social, and economic implications of sports technology from the transcript.

Advanced prosthetics

High-tech artificial limbs that use computers, sensors, and modern materials to move and feel more like natural body parts.

Performance technologies

Technologies designed to improve sporting performance, accuracy, safety, or decision-making.

Össur Cheetah Flex-Foot

A special prosthesis featuring a curved blade of carbon fibre designed for athletes with below-the-knee amputations; it stores and releases energy to replace the calf muscle and Achilles tendon.

VAR in Soccer

A system where video officials review footage and assist the referee with certain important decisions.

Musculoskeletal system

The body system where muscles provide force, bones provide structure, and joints allow movement, connecting to a prosthetic to transfer forces to the ground.

Nervous system

The body system in which the brain sends signals to muscles to control movement, requiring the athlete using a prosthetic to adapt their movement and balance.

Circulatory/respiratory systems

Body systems that deliver oxygen and nutrients to working muscles during exercise, whose performance during movement is changed by the use of a prosthetic.

Oscar Pistorius

A Paralympic sprinter who was determined to run against natural sprinters, raising questions about fairness and the line between equality and performance enhancement.

Environmental implications (Prosthetics)

Issues including energy-intensive production, mining required for materials like carbon fibre and synthetic components, and waste material created when worn-out prostheses are replaced.

Economic implications (Prosthetics)

High costs to buy, fit, and service advanced prosthetics, which restricts access based on healthcare provision, government support, or personal wealth.

Ethical issues (VAR)

Dilemmas regarding game flow disruptions, long review times, subjective interpretations of footage, and unequal access across lower-level competitions.

Social impact (VAR)

The double-edged effect of increasing trust in correct calls while causing fan and player frustration due to review delays and decisions no longer being final upon the whistle.