SPORTS AND THE 4TH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

초록

The 4th Industrial Revolution changed various aspects of our lives. Those influences also led to many changes in the sports field. The emergence of different wearable devices which adapted Information Technology (IT) played a pivotal role in enhancing the field of sports science. As an example, smartwatches are one of the most popular wearable devices. They monitor an appropriate amount of exercise and manage individual health. These functions reflect people’s desire to pursue an individual lifestyle, which leads to a trend of “quantified self.” A diversified market related to smart fitness equipment also provided a reasonable opportunity for people to select various training options. Combining online content with fitness equipment created an environment where people compete globally for individual fitness. As such, the Fourth Industrial Revolution impacted sports field’s development but yielded unexpected results. It has been criticized due to taking care of the body relying on machines, misconceptions of figures, and subordination of tools. Like Nomophobia which indicates a fear of being without a mobile phone, No-watchphobia confuses people. Boundaries between sports and game collapse, jobs of personal trainers are threatened, and inequality index of sports participation is enormously broad. Critical scholars argue the need for in-depth reflection on whether the rationalization of society influenced by the development of science and technology is truly for human happiness and liberation or leads to restraint and alienation. From the critical scholars’ perspective, academic concerns and phenomenological considerations should be contemplated based on the aspects of sports sociology. © 2025 Jungrae Lee and Sora Kim.

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