Talent alone is not enough to take a team or individual to peak performance in sport, but talent combined with science can take athletes and sportspeople farther and faster, according to the Centre for Health and Human Performance (CHHP) of the North-West University (NWU).
Sport performance is becoming increasingly complex as athletes and coaches navigate an overwhelming amount of information on training methods and preparation. To address this, the CHHP is highlighting the value of a structured, science-based approach that starts with understanding the demands of a sport before designing training programmes.
Bert Moolman, a senior sport scientist at the CHHP with more than a decade of experience in team sports, including with the NWU Rugby Institute and Leopards Rugby Union, says effective performance planning begins with understanding what athletes are required to achieve in competitions. “Training can be tailored more precisely and efficiently if this is taken into account,” he says.
Starting with the demands of the game
Modern sport is characterised by an overload of ideas, trends and training philosophies, which can lead to confusion or generic programming that does not suit a specific team or athlete, according to Bert.
“A more effective approach is to begin by analysing the demands of a sport in detail. When you understand what the game requires from a physical, physiological and tactical perspective, you can design training that directly supports performance outcomes.”
This principle applies across both team and individual sports. Even in less common sporting codes, valuable insights can be gained from analysing factors such as movement patterns, intensity, duration and positional roles. Testing protocols and conditioning programmes can then be developed to match those requirements.
From observation to data-driven performance
Bert says coaches can apply this approach regardless of available resources.
At school level, where advanced technology is often limited, simple observation tools can provide meaningful information.
“Coaches can analyse matches using basic tools such as video footage and a stopwatch to determine work-to-rest ratios, frequency of involvement and movement patterns. This already provides a strong foundation for more structured training.”
In high-performance environments, technologies such as GPS tracking and performance analytics offer deeper insights by measuring variables including distance covered, acceleration and deceleration efforts, and collision frequency.
“This data helps coaches and sport scientists design more specific conditioning sessions and gym programmes, tailored to the positional and physical demands of each athlete,” he explains.
Building smarter testing and training systems
One of the most common challenges in sport, particularly at school level, is the tendency to copy successful teams without understanding the principles behind their methods.
“There is often a reliance on what is perceived as best practice, for example copying elite teams, without asking why those methods work in a particular context,” Bert says.
He notes that easy access to online information can sometimes lead to ineffective decision-making if coaches do not first understand the demands of their sport. Instead, training methods should be evaluated according to whether they align with the specific needs of athletes and the realities of competition.
Accurate measurement also plays an important role in athlete development. Bert stresses that testing protocols should reflect the actual demands of competition.
“It’s not enough to adopt a standard testing protocol without understanding its relevance. Coaches need to ensure that whatever they measure reflects what athletes are required to do during a match or event.”
By linking testing directly to performance demands, coaches can monitor progress more effectively, identify strengths and weaknesses, and make informed training adjustments.
For schools and development programmes, Bert believes meaningful improvements can be achieved through careful observation and planning. He advises coaches to analyse competition demands, including player involvement, movement intensity and time spent in play, to identify conditioning needs and guide training.
“When training reflects the realities of competition, athletes are better prepared and development becomes more effective,” he says.
The CHHP offers expert support in sport science, biokinetics and performance development to help athletes and teams optimise training and achieve sustainable success.
For more information,email: CHHP@nwu.ac.za or visit https://health-sciences.nwu.ac.za/chhp.
To view an interview of Prof. Pieter Kruger with Bert, visit: https://youtu.be/VNi1IRcjUo0.
Bert Moolman
