From High School Sports to Elite – A Study on Physical Development and Individual Adaptation

The purpose of the study is to increase understanding of how young athletes who combine elite sports and high school studies develop their physical qualities over time. By systematically following students enrolled in Nationally Approved Sports Education (NIU) during their school years, the study aims to provide a clearer picture of how physical performance changes during adolescence and which factors influence this development. The study also aims to strengthen the Swedish sports model, where education and elite sports go hand in hand, by creating a scientific basis that supports a sustainable combination of studies and athletic ambitions.

The study will address both a clear national need for evidence-based monitoring within NIU and an international research interest in physical development, performance capacity, and dual career (DC) strategies. Through its interdisciplinary approach, combining physiological, pedagogical, and sports science expertise, the project has the potential to contribute new knowledge that strengthens the conditions for sustainable elite sports education in Sweden and internationally.

The goals of the study are:

1. To establish a long-term testing and monitoring program for NIU students in selected sports in Sundsvall.
2. To map the development of key physical qualities (e.g., strength, endurance, speed, and mobility) during high school.
3. To identify variations between sports, sex, and training setups to better understand individual development patterns.
4. To create scientifically grounded reference material for what can be expected in physical development during the NIU years.
5. To contribute to the development of support structures for young elite athletes so they have the best possible conditions to combine sports, education, and future careers.

This project is carried out in collaboration with Sundsvall Municipality in accordance with the cooperation agreement.