|  | Partners and Events | No.53 May 2008 |
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Computer.Sport Special exhibition in the Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum, Paderborn, 18.01.-05.07.2009 |
You don’t need technology to do sport, and you certainly don’t need a computer either. All you need is a zest for exercise, pleasure in the company of others and the determination to achieve results. In the pre-computer age, sport was quite a different matter: balls and other items of sports equipment were kicked, hit and thrown, skis and skates fastened, bicycles pedalled, boats steered and racing cars driven. Over the past century, the athlete has entered into a symbiosis with technology on a range of different levels. Nowadays, the more technology is controlled by computer, the further the computer finds its way into the world of sport. The special exhibition Computer.Sport (www.computer-sport.net) aims to demonstrate in impressive fashion the extent to which computers are used in sport, thus providing sporting activities – as well as those who pursue them – with valuable support. The intention is to show that, far from acting as a deterrent to sport, the computer can actually be beneficial to both sports and athletes. The exhibition demonstrates computer applications in sport in five sections: Multimedia worlds of sport Performance testing and motion analysis Optimisation of training and performance Cutting-edge sport through cutting-edge technology Virtual worlds of sport From the foyer, visitors will enter the exhibition through a players’ tunnel, to be greeted by the sound of applause. The highlight of the “Multimedia worlds of sport” is a virtual studio in which visitors are invited to take on the role of TV presenter. Other exhibits focus on a video movement analysis system and virtual information system, to name just two examples. But web-based databases will also be on show. The next section demonstrates how computers can help to optimise performance. One of the highlights here is the markerless motion capture system. Body scanning, a force platform, intelligent sportswear, training planning with SpeEdi Run, a rowing ergometer and a reaction time measurement system are some of the other exhibits on show. The section entitled “The power of material” highlights the latest developments from the cutting-edge laboratory. Whether it be a state-of-the-art racing bike, toboggan or kayak, all the exhibits feature developments which have only been made possible by advances in information technology in recent years. Visitors are then invited to immerse themselves in “Virtual worlds of sport” and try out a golf simulator, virtual biathlon course or the latest Wii consoles. Those who still have the energy are very welcome to go on to visit the permanent exhibition of the HNF Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum. Extending over 6,000 square metres, this exhibition features the history of information technology, from cuneiform script all the way to the internet, making the HNF the world’s biggest computer museum. The HNF also boasts ten seminar rooms with advanced equipment plus a 400-seat auditorium, all of which can be reserved for any kind of event, from a training course to an international conference. Events featuring sports scientists will of course take particular pride of place during the period of the Computer.Sport exhibition, which is due to run from 18th January until 5th July 2009. Please visit the HNF homepage www.hnf.de for additional information. http://www.icsspe.org/portal/index.php?w=1&z=5 Computer.Sport