In my previous article, I introduced to you the origins of fitness, a quick travel through history. Now we are embarking on a new journey into the future. Some people will hope days like the ones I describe never come and some will wish that it was today's reality. We all envisage the future differently, I will tell you what I see when I look towards the future of fitness.
Is fitness as we know it doomed?
The year 2252. DNA mapping has finally been understood making it possible to diagnose and do a full DNA analysis. Most diseases are eradicated and birth defects have become something of the past. It will become possible to replace or treat any dysfunction of the human body. By manipulating DNA, parents may be able decide on their kids future before birth and determine the genetic talents of their future offspring.
As medicine and science progress the maximum life expectancy of the mass population increases to 20%, with the wealthier populations average life span increasing to a whole different level, an astonishing 50%. With this increase in life expectancy, the world population will start to face many different problems. Various governments around the world would have to take collective action enforcing new laws and regulations in an attempt to cut the cost of health services and pensions, control the distribution of food supplies, and create laws limiting the number of kids per citizen.
Petty crime will no longer exist as the government will be able to pinpoint precisely the time and location of places visited from a microchip implant. All humans will have an unique identity signature used for all activities including passport, bank/credit cards, drivers licence, house and car keys.
And the future of sports: Football, ball games and contact sports will have new rules and safety guidelines. Turbo sports shoes can make an athlete run faster and jump higher and bionic suits would enhance human capabilities helping to achieve perfect motion while increasing speed, strength and preventing injuries.
The gym as we know it will no longer exist but the perfect body is available for a price. An enhancement centre, a cross bridge between a spa and high tech Lab, with gigantic capsules of amniotic fluid will act as an incubator for muscle growth. Half an hour each day will sculpt the body without having to move a single muscle! At the same time your mind can live a dream or learn a craft with virtual reality generated by a sophisticated computer projected straight into the brain. This will be possible using electro signals stimulating the muscle fibres, while at the same time feeding the body with the precise amount of nutrients. By taking total control over the human nervous system, the whole experience will be pain free resulting in a hard workout while having sweet dreams!
Meanwhile, the less privileged people are still playing sports the old fashion way, without the turbo shoes or bionic suits. Mass communities around the globe are still passionate about ball games. With little financial resources, the odds of being a professional athlete are 1 in 10 million. This is the average chance when competing against those manipulated by DNA or enhanced treatments. Like the lottery, despite the odds someone somewhere will always win, in sport someone will go against the odds and make history and become a worldwide hero.
The Olympic Games will survive with different sports and modalities. Technology companies will support the athletes assisting them in a constant attempt to defy the laws of physics. No more gathering in stadiums for a single man event, the live competition will happen in studios with athletes performing from different parts of the world. The competition is edited simultaneously by a super computer and transmitted to those who have subscription, enabling the audience to watch from their private 5D simulation room, a room equipped with sensors and cameras to detect movement, a mixer replicating smell produced on the context, and holograms projectors creating real size 4d holograms. An electron magnetic floor is capable of transmitting electron signals to the muscles, replicating feelings of real physical contact or actions making the spectators part of the event.
Not only can you be the spectator, you also can be part of the live action and become one of the athletes and perhaps even simulate and change the result of the games for your private entertainment.
People will gain great financial stress in their quest to achieve results and have a beautiful body without the hard physical work. This is what I see ahead of us.
Based on today's global demand, scientists, government bodies and corporations will work hard to try and supply solutions to look good in return for high profits . All the signs are pointing in this direction, maybe it's just science fiction or maybe it is a very close prediction from someone with a great love and dedication to fitness.
We have to wait and see. What is an nightmare for some maybe a sweet dream for others!