Sport Demands Analysis in Strength and Conditioning: A Practical Framework for Interpreting Team and Individual Sport Demands

ABSTRACT Sport demands analysis is an important step for guiding strength and conditioning planning, as it allows structural, biomechanical, physiological and contextual characteristics associated with sport performance to be interpreted in an organised way. Different sports present distinct movement patterns, competitive structures and physical requirements, which influence the capacities needed for performance. This article proposes a conceptual framework based on ten guiding questions to support strength and conditioning professionals in analysing the demands of different sports. The framework was developed from a narrative integration of concepts discussed in the sport training science literature, including sport demands analysis, needs analysis in strength and conditioning and the multifactorial determinants of sport performance. The framework organises sport demands interpretation into five analytical dimensions: sport structure, nature of movement, mechanical demands, physiological demands and performance context. Although applicable to different sports, the framework may be particularly useful in team sports, as it helps professionals recognise demands arising from athlete interaction, tactical organisation, action variability and competitive context. This organisation provides a logical sequence for interpreting movement patterns, action intensity, temporal organisation of effort and the relative role of physical performance in overall performance. As this conceptual proposal has not yet been empirically validated, it should be understood as an initial pedagogical tool for organising professional reasoning. Future studies should evaluate its content validity, inter-rater reliability, practical applicability, usability and potential contribution to professional reasoning and decision-making in strength and conditioning.