The fit and the daring convened at Scifest with hopes to discover their inner sport stars. Do you have what it takes? Find out at the workshop of the same name hosted by Sci-Enza, from the University of Pretoria.
The fit and the daring convened at Scifest with hopes to discover their inner sport stars. Do you have what it takes? Find out at the workshop of the same name hosted by Sci-Enza, from the University of Pretoria.
The Monument was abuzz with activity on Thursday as pupils collaborated with enthusiastic workshop coordinators to determine their body strengths and athletic potential.
The Olympic hopefuls ranged from nine to 18 years. Sarah Harris, who does swimming and shotput, said she had received surprising news.
“The final test told me that my sports strengths included swimming, running, high jump and long jump,” she enthused.
By determining the heart rate, reaction time, hand-to-eye coordination and height of an individual, science is used to identify the sport they are prone to thrive at.
“The workshops are not meant to dictate the sport that anyone should play,” said workshop coordinator, Haleddia Densder.
“We try to help people to discover the sports that would be most optimal for their body type.”
“Like, I suck at sport and I have a slow reaction, so I am not a good sprinter. My heart rate and cardiac are good though, so I would make a better long-distance runner,” she said.
Sci-Enza not only unlocks an athlete’s potential but also helps to maintain their performance. The centre collaborates with several national Olympians, including gold medallist swimmer Cameron van der Burgh, the 2012 gold medal rowing team and bronze-medal rower Bridgitte Hartley.
“We do all types of science. The sports just seemed most appropriate, because the theme for this year’s Scifest is science in motion,” Densder added.
The workshops are daily at 12noon, 2pm and 3.30pm at the Monument.
