NFL revolutionizes sports through utilization of AI to prevent injuries


As injuries continue to be an unfortunately common theme in the game of American Football that leaves star players sidelined and tens of thousands of fans distraught, a new system of artificial technology looks to significantly improve player health/safety on the field. The "digital athlete" initiative, which was recently introduced this past season, has been launched through the NFL's partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and will utilize artificial intelligence and machine learning to create a precise picture of each player. This involves the collection of data on every singular player's experience in their training, practice, and gameplay that will generate and then relay customized recovery and performance optimization strategies for that specific player to both the team and trainers. This data will be collected through the implementation of impact sensors that will be placed throughout player's equipment from their shoulder pads to their mouth guard. "If we're able to predict injuries in the NFL, which is our core goal, I think that it will have a profound impact on all sports" NFL SVP of Health and Safety Innovation Jennifer Langton stated.


Do you believe this will have a positive impact on reducing player injuries? And if so, when do you believe we will begin to see positive data/results?


Link to article: 

https://www.foxbusiness.com/sports/nfl-revolutionizes-sports-using-ai-prevent-injuries-will-profound-impact

Comments

  1. BSIE BlogMarch 4, 2024 at 10:29 AM

    This is a cool concept that will revolutionize sports, especially contact sports. I absolutely believe it will have a positive impact on reducing player injuries because it focuses on prevention of injuries and can tailor it to different positions, body types, and play styles. I expect positive results to be seen in the 2-3 year period as the impact sensors will be able to pinpoint areas of concern and then adjustments to equipment and strategy can be implemented. For example, the NFL adopted tackling strategies from rugby to prevent concussions among players. Similar strategies can be used to adjust for the health concerns recognized by AI and it will take players a couple of years to properly adjust how they play. I would expect fewer head, back, and shoulder injuries because of these changes thanks to AI.
    - Michael Gadek

    Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-nfl-utilizes-ai-enhance-player-well-being-jose-micallef-bdyhc#:~:text=In%20addition%20to%20concussion%20detection,injury%20history%20and%20biomechanical%20factors.

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  2. AnonymousMarch 5, 2024 at 12:05 PM

    I think this is a big step in the right direction for not only the NFL, but the sport of American Football itself. With the devastating injuries we see our favorite athletes endure each season, there is only more reason for parents to want to restrict their child from playing the sport at a young age. This is essential because learning to tackle with proper technique as a child, before being placed in a game with opponents much more mature can help prevent future injury as well. This technology is revolutionary for doctors and athletic trainers enabling them to directly identify the body part effects, and what caused this at the exact moment. In the coming years, the data collected from this digital athlete initiative can change the way players move on the field, allowing them to limit movements that are known to increase the risk of injury. Also, this can help solve the ongoing questions on whether artificial turf causes more lower extremity than that of real grass. I am excited to see the impact this technology has on the game, and how it can help keep our idols on the field as long as possible. - David Brubach

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  3. Business of Sports TeamMarch 6, 2024 at 3:51 AM

    I would agree with the comment above on how important this new addition of preventing the injuries would make an impact on the American football industry. American Football is really such an aggressive and physical filled action sport that there has been intense injuries that could have been prevented with the implementation of rules and advanced technology like this situation. With the right practices and gear I feel as if the players and industries could benefit off of the new guidance to better help and safe football practices. According to, Predicting Player Injury with the Digital Athlete by the NFL, states, "Starting this season, all 32 clubs have access to the Digital Athlete team portal, which includes daily training volume and injury risk information for their team, as well as league-wide trends and benchmarks." (Player,Health & Safety) Which confirms that already all teams in the NFL have adapted this new digital addition for health. This can give a green flag for many to see how this might work out, it is just a matter of time to see how efficient the technology works throughout.
    Source:https://www.nfl.com/playerhealthandsafety/equipment-and-innovation/aws-partnership/video-predicting-player-injury-with-the-digital-athlete#:~:text=Starting%20this%20season%2C%20all%2032,league%2Dwide%20trends%20and%20benchmarks.
    -Marissa Martinez

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  4. AnonymousMarch 6, 2024 at 7:38 AM

    This is an excellent use of AI and hopefully it can prevent many career ending injuries in the sport. Within the next few years genuine results should be realized from this new technology and I hope to see a major decrease in injuries. Watching a player on your team go down to an injury that could have been prevented is heartbreaking and this technology should save both the player and the fans the pain of these injuries. American Football has always received immense backlash regarding its violence and ability to cause injuries to players, so this technology should be a step in the right direction to continue to protect players.
    -John Douveas

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  5. AnonymousMarch 9, 2024 at 7:30 AM

    This is a great use of AI and if used properly can have great effects on the NFL. Injuries are super common and can be career changing or even ending. Being able to predict injuries and prevent them before they occur can be huge for the longevity of a player. I would hope there are positive results soon as this can be game changing. Due to the trajectory of AI and the rapid advancements I wouldn't be surprised if this technology was fully running within the next couple years. It's very interesting to see how AI is being developed for the benefit of athletes.

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    Replies
    1. Sports WireMarch 10, 2024 at 4:08 AM

      I believe it will be a great implementation to the game in the sense that it will provide players/staff with the information to help properly/efficiently take care of their bodies, which will hopefully lead to a noticeable decrease in injury rates. I definitely agree with you in the sense that this technology will both hopefully help keep our favorite players on the field throughout the entirety of the season and even allow the longevity of their careers to increase. It will be very exciting to see both the development and results of AI in the NFL and whether other professional sports leagues will adopt trend/concept.
      - Conor Diedrich

      Delete

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