Elite team sports are evolving rapidly. Advances in technology, analytics, and artificial intelligence offer opportunities to improve performance, yet turning scientific knowledge into practical impact remains a challenge. Accelerating Innovations in Team Sports is a collaborative project designed to bridge this gap by embedding scientific innovation directly into national elite sports programs. Together with embedded scientists, coaches, academics, and companies, we work on innovations that help elite athletes get the most out of themselves.
Team sports such as hockey, handball, and football are highly dynamic: athletes must constantly accelerate, stop, change direction, and make split second tactical decisions. Physical, technical, tactical, and mental skills must all align under pressure. Rapid developments in technology and AI now make it possible to analyze these complex demands in new ways, creating opportunities for smarter training, better decision making, and improved athlete care.
Currently, the needs of embedded scientists, coaches, and technical directors of sports federations (such as NHV, KNHB, Nevobo, KNZB, KNBSB, KNKV) have been mapped out. These needs span topics such as tactical optimization, injury risk reduction, and improved athlete monitoring. Next, priorities will be defined and a concrete plan of action will be drawn up. A shared national knowledge agenda for team sports will serve as a strategic roadmap, fostering sustainable collaboration among universities, sports organizations, local and national government bodies, and industry stakeholders.
The project is a joint initiative between the Department of Human Movement Sciences at the UMCG and the Dutch national sports organization NOC*NSF.
The ambition of both parties is to carry out at least two pilots in national elite team sports programs to test innovations. Because the programs are not competing with each other, sharing knowledge between team sports plays a central role in this process. These examples show how science and technology can transform the practice of team sports, from developing smarter strategies to promoting better athlete care.
More information: Stronger Together: Scientific innovations in national team sports
Department of Human Movement Sciences
Internal postcode FA23
PO Box 998
9700 AZ Groningen
The Netherlands
Antonius Deusinglaan 1
9713 AV Groningen
building 3215, 3th floor
