Wearable Technology and Real-Time Monitoring of Training Load in Competitive Sports: A Study with Special Reference to Visakhapatnam

Abstract

The integration of wearable sensing devices into the daily routines of competitive athletes has changed the way training is planned, delivered and reviewed. This paper examines the role of wearable technology in the real-time monitoring of training load among competitive athletes in Visakhapatnam, a fast-growing sporting centre on the eastern coast of Andhra Pradesh. A descriptive survey design was adopted and primary data were gathered from one hundred and fifty respondents, comprising one hundred and twenty competitive athletes and thirty coaches drawn from athletics, cricket, football, hockey, swimming and indigenous combat disciplines. A structured questionnaire built around a five-point Likert scale was used to capture patterns of device adoption and the perceived effectiveness of these devices in managing training load. Percentage analysis, mean, standard deviation and the chi-square test were employed to analyse the data. The findings reveal that the adoption of wearable devices among athletes in Visakhapatnam is moderate but rising, with heart-rate monitors, fitness bands and smartwatches being the most widely used. Respondents reported that real-time feedback helped them regulate intensity, recognise early signs of fatigue and reduce the risk of avoidable injury. High device cost, limited technical guidance and concerns about data accuracy emerged as the principal barriers. The study concludes that wearable technology holds considerable promise for evidence-based load management in regional sport and recommends greater institutional investment, structured coach education and locally relevant data interpretation support.