Sport-Specific Conditioning: From Needs Analysis to Circuit

Each group analyzes the physical demands of a sport and designs a 4-station circuit that mirrors its work-to-rest pattern. They test it on themselves and adjust it, applying the principle of specificity.

How to play

1. Groups of 4 draw a sport card: basketball, volleyball, futsal, tennis, 400 m, or climbing (1 min).
2. Guided analysis on the worksheet: length of efforts, rest periods, main fitness components, key movements, and common injuries (6 min).
3. Circuit design: 4 stations with exercises that resemble the sport's movements and a fitting work-to-rest ratio, for example 15 s on and 30 s off for volleyball. Set up the equipment (7 min).
4. Trial: the group completes two rounds of its circuit and everyone gives an RPE (6 min).
5. Adjust: change what didn't match the sport, then a member of another group tries it (6 min).
6. Wrap-up: each group spends 30 seconds explaining its most sport-specific exercise (4 min).

Rules

• Exercises must be safe and familiar; check anything new with the teacher.
• Each group sets up and puts away its own equipment.
• Place jumping stations away from walls and obstacles.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the group can choose an adapted sport such as wheelchair basketball or boccia.
• Autism: analysis worksheet with closed questions and examples.
• Different fitness levels: every station includes an easier and a harder version.

Learning goals

• Analyze the physical demands of a specific sport.
• Design exercises that follow the principle of specificity.
• Test and adjust a circuit using RPE data.

Equipment for a class of 25

• task cards: 6
• assorted equipment
• stopwatch: 6
• worksheets: 25

Teacher tip

Keep sample work-to-rest ratios by sport handy for groups that get stuck. Check circuits before the trial to rule out risky exercises.

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