The role of wearable technological devices in risk management for Maltese sports participants

Abstract

Sports is a central part in the life of many. It can provide several benefits such as improved health, socialization, recreation and sometimes income. Technology has infiltrated every aspect of our lives and sports is no exception. Such a development has been wearable devices, such as fit-bit, that facilitate and improve the performance of athletes and recreational sports participants. One of the main risks for sports participants is certainly the risk of getting injured. The risk of injuries is part of the process and can be caused by several factors such as overuse injuries, overtraining and poor technique amongst several other factors. The focus of this research is to understand the role of wearable technological devices into risk management, particularly focusing on their role related to risk mitigation and risk transfer. The study focuses on soccer and running participants. Four different questionnaires have been designed targeting soccer players (n=265), runners (n=272), soccer clubs (n=40) and running clubs (n=7). Results have shown that both soccer and running participants value the role of wearable devices and risk transfer, with runners showing a higher appreciation of technology use whilst soccer players valuing more the utility of insurance. The variables ‘Willingness to provide data’, ‘Cost one is willing to pay for the device’, and athletes who analyse the data were shown to be significant factors in valuing the importance of technology for soccer players, whilst the individual analysis has shown that ‘Injury severity’, ‘Division’, ‘Technology users’, ‘Number of training days’ and ‘Number of years of sports participation’ all have an impact. Similarly to soccer players, the analysis for runners has shown that ‘Cost one is willing to pay for the device’, and athletes who analyse the data were are significant factors. Furthermore, ‘Gender’, ‘Technology Users’ and ‘Willingness to provide data’ were shown to be significant when analysed individually. With regards to insurance utility, the variables ‘Division’, ‘Insurance Holders’, ‘Technology Importance’, ‘Willingness to provide data to insurer’ and ‘Number of Years training the sport’. The individual analysis has also shown that ‘Technology Users’, ‘Injury Severity’ and Number of training days also have an impact for soccer players. ‘Injury Severity’ and ‘Willingness to provide data to insurer’ were the only significant variables related to insurance utility for runners. Finally, the analysis for clubs indicated that both soccer and running clubs value the importance of technology and the role of insurance and are considered as effective measures in risk management.