Artificial intelligence in sports: revolution or risk for athletes?

Artificial intelligence in sports: revolution or risk for athletes?

Today is March 10, 2025, and preparations for the congress on artificial intelligence (AI) in sports medicine are in full swing. The congress entitled “Emerging Technologies in Medicine” will take place on March 24th and 25th in the teaching-learning center at the University Hospital Essen. The event is organized by the Institute for AI in Medicine (IKIM) at the University of Duisburg-Essen. Around 300 experts from Germany and neighboring countries are expected to exchange ideas about the latest developments in the field of AI and their influence on sport.

The topics discussed include not only technological feasibility and practical applications of new technologies, but also ethical questions and data protection concerns that are particularly relevant in the context of AI. Special presentations will cover the use of AI to predict injury risk in young professional football players and the NFL Digital Athlete initiative, which applies AI and machine learning to injury prevention in professional sports. Other important topics include health-optimizing respiratory muscle training technology and AI-supported 3D body analyzes for sports and hospital patients.

Various options for accident prevention

One of the innovative developments in sports medicine is the “Smart Injury Prevention” project. The aim of this project, which is supported by Humotion GmbH, PI Probaligence GmbH and the University of Hamburg, is to develop intelligent software for the personalized prediction of running injuries through the use of AI. This project is funded with around 530,000 euros from the Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM) and has a scope of between 500,000 and 1,000,000 euros. The idea came about as part of the INTELLUS innovation network and focuses on analyzing biomechanics and individual running style in order to identify injury risks at an early stage.

By recording biomechanical parameters using high-resolution sensor data, it should be possible to carry out real-time analyzes of running biomechanics during training and competition. The collected data is then incorporated into personalized movement analyzes that can be applied to sports watches and smartphone apps. This could provide an important basis for optimizing training and reducing the risk of injury.

Artificial intelligence in sports

Artificial intelligence has already established itself as a revolutionary force in modern sports. According to an article from GECKO, technology plays a pivotal role by creating customized training programs based on detailed performance data. Algorithms and sensors help to carry out movement analysis, predict injury and optimize training load. AI is also proving valuable in professional sports when it comes to analyzing opponent data and developing precise game strategies.

Despite the opportunities AI offers in sports, ethical questions about fairness and athlete privacy raise concerns. The possible distortion of competition and the dependence on AI decisions, which could neglect the human factor, represent challenges that must be addressed together. Great attention is also paid to data collection, which is essential for precise decisions in sports. Sports organizations continually collect data from various sources to support AI analysis.

The congress in Essen could therefore not only serve as a platform for the exchange of important scientific findings, but also as a catalyst for the further development of AI technologies in sports and their application in sports medicine. All interested professionals are warmly invited to take part in this important event.

For more information and to register, please visit this program.