Evaluating Malaysian University Athletes' Perceptions of AI Benefits, Risks, and Acceptance in Sports Training and Performance Enhancement
List of Authors
Nazrin Aiman Azmi, Wan Ahmad Munsif Wan Pa
Keyword
artificial intelligence, perception, university athletes, sports training, technology acceptance
Abstract
Although artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being adopted in sports worldwide, its implementation in Malaysia’s sports sector remains in its early stages. The country faces several challenges, including a shortage of expert coaches and limited capacity for large-scale performance data analysis. While developed nations and some rapidly advancing ASEAN countries have already integrated AI into athlete training and performance enhancement, its use in Malaysia—particularly among university athletes—remains underexplored. Gaining a clearer understanding of how these athletes perceive AI’s benefits, risks, and overall acceptance is crucial for facilitating its integration into sports training.This study investigates university athletes’ perceptions of AI in sports training and performance enhancement, focusing on keyareas such as AI benefits, risks, trust, broader impacts, exposure and usage, cultural influences, and future perspectives. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 80 university athletes through an online questionnaire. The descriptive analysis showed that overall perceptions of AI were high (mean = 3.6911, SD = 0.62677), with AI benefits receiving the highest mean score (3.9771), while AI risks were perceived at a moderate level (3.2771). Additionally, Spearman correlation analysis identified a strong positive relationship between trust in AI and its acceptance (ρ = 0.789, p < 0.01, two- tailed).These findings offer valuable insights for higher education institutions and sports organizations, emphasizing the need to promote AI adoption among athletes. The study underscores the importance of raising AI awareness, implementing strategic policies, and addressing ethical concerns such as transparency and data security. Future research should expand its scope by including a broader range of athletes and incorporating qualitative insights to gain a deeper understanding of AI integration in sports.