The Sports Science Institute of South Africa (SSISA) works to optimize the sporting performance and health of all South Africans through the application, dissemination of science, and evidence-based implementation of our services, programmes, education, training, and research translation platforms. We have been an innovation hub for wellness, physical activity, sports and exercise performance in South Africa for over 25 years, staying abreast of the latest science, while remaining a credible and trusted source of expertise to sportspersons, as well as the general public.
Part of our success has been our productive and iterative partnerships, chief of which has been our work in conjunction with the University of Cape Town. Over this quarter century, we have partnered with the UCT sport scientists, clinicians and researchers, most recently, the UCT Research Centre for Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport (HPALS). The UCT Research Centre for Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport (HPALS), and their commitment to promote physical activity, healthy eating, and sleep health to obtain optimal health and wellbeing, to address growing pandemics of obesity and physical inactivity, and reduction of the burden of disease and injury. Moreover, applies these sample principles to advancing human performance, whether on the sports field or in addressing persons living with disabilities. A large emphasis of their work is focused on equity of access. We are fortunate to partner with a research centre comprised of world-class educators and researchers who are passionate about their disciplines.
Who makes up the SSISA Group for Research Implementation and Translation?
Their objective as a team is to facilitate research translation, and provide insights into the latest, evidence-based information in the areas of wellness and human performance. As such, their roles are to engage the public and other stakeholders, by taking evidence-based research into practice and market solutions. Their aim will also be to identify and/or create commercial research and development opportunities, in partnership with HPALS. The SSISA GRIT will also create a platform for conversation around various sport performance, mental health, sleep, and wearable tech topics.
SSISA GRIT Research Consultants:
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Warren Lucas is an Accredited Sport Scientist (SASMA), completing a PhD in Exercise Science at the University of Cape Town. His research is focused on the design and implementation of patient-centered exercise interventions for populations with mental health conditions undergoing psychiatric care in treatment settings. He is under the supervision of Dr. Sharief Hendricks and Prof. Vicki Lambert (HPALS UCT). |
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Devon Da Costa is a Qualified Biokineticist completing a PhD in Exercise Science at the University of Cape Town. Her research is focused on fuelling endurance sports performance through different dietary and supplementation strategies, and she is supervised by A/Prof. Andrew Bosch (HPALS UCT). |
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Evan Knight is an Exercise Scientist, currently completing a PhD in Exercise Science at the University of Cape Town, supervised by A/Prof. Andrew Bosch (HPALS UCT). His research is focused on biomarkers and the intercellular adaptation and communication following different endurance running training regimes in elite runners. |
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Tim Klein is an Exercise Scientist who is currently completing an MSc in Exercise Science at the University of Cape Town. His research focuses primarily on the effects of resistance training on cycling performance and is supervised by A/Prof. Mike Posthumus and Dr. Caroline D’Alton (HPALS UCT). |
Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport Research Centre Staff, Division of Physiological Sciences, University of Cape Town Staff:
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Prof. Vicki Lambert Director of HPALS Research Centre Physical Activity and Public Health, Obesity and Food Security; Health Equity |
Prof. Alison September Head of Division of Physiological Sciences Genetics; Sport Performance and Injuries |
Prof. Sudesh Sivarasu Director of Biomedical Engineering Biomedical Technology; Biomedical Sciences |
Prof. Malcolm Collins Biochemistry; Sport Injuries; Performance |
A/Prof. Jeroen Swart Sports Medicine; Cycling Performance; Athlete Monitoring; Injury research |
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Emeritus Prof. Mike Lambert Rugby Performance; Sport Injuries; Physiology |
A/Prof. Andrew Bosch Running; Anatomy; Physiology; Nutrition |
A/Prof. Mike Posthumus High Performance; Athlete Monitoring; Injury Surveillance |
Dr. Dale Rae Sleep Science; Physiology; NCD Research; Physical Activity and Health |
A/Prof. Yumna Albertus Biomechanics; Neurophysiology and Rehabilitation |
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A/Prof. Jacolene Kroff Biokinetics; Rehabilitation; Physiology |
Dr. Caro D’Alton Sports Medicine; Injury Surveillance |
Dr. Sharief Hendricks Rugby Science; Injury research; Performance |
Dr. Janetta Harbron Dietetics; Nutrition; NCD Research |
Dr. Olufunke Alaba Health Economics; Public Health; Obesity |
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Senior Researcher: Dr. Feyisayo Odunitan-Wayas Food Security; Physical Activity; NCD Research |
Junior Research Fellow: Dr. Nancy Laguette Genetics; Medical Cellular Biology |
Honorary Research Associate: Dr. Amy Mendham Metabolic Research; Physical Activity and NCD Research |
Honorary Research Associate: A/Prof. Frederick Marais Public Health; Wellness; Physical Activity |
Dr. Kate Larmuth Cardiovascular Research; Biochemistry |
To read more about HPALS staff credentials, publications and research areas, click here
UCT HPALS is committed to the translation of their research work, that it is inclusive and ‘difference-making’ to policy and practice, and that they innovate, developing bespoke solutions relevant to the Global South. The University of Cape Town (UCT) has been placed top in South Africa and Africa in the Shanghai Ranking’s 2021 Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments. First published in 2016, the rankings highlight the performance of more than 300 universities, among which, in 2021, are 13 sports universities and 287 universities with sport-related units. The ranking’s methodology assesses universities according to several indicators, including papers indexed in Web of Science (20%), total citations (20%), citations per paper (25%), papers published in top 25% journals (25%), and percentage of papers with international co-authorship (10%).
To read more about the Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Research Centre, Division of Physiological Sciences at the University of Cape Town, please see the HPALS website or email Ayesha Hendricks for more information about applications, research and consultations.
To get in touch with the Sports Science Institute of South Africa GRIT Research Consultants, get in touch with Warren Lucas at wlucas@ssisa.com or research@ssisa.com
Phone: 021 650 5728 for enquiries
Yours in Sports Science,
Sports Science Institute of South Africa