Staffan Olsson Aims to Revolutionize Team Performance with Capacio's Groundbreaking Executive Functioning Tests

Co-founded by Associate Professor Predrag Petrovic, Capacio first made headlines in 2010 with a seminal research study in football, demonstrating the ability to predict player performance with high accuracy based on neurocognitive assessments. Notably, the research shifted focus from disabilities to the ability and “successful functioning” of individuals, offering a new perspective on cognitive potential.

Today, Capacio has conducted over 5,000 analyses and developed a digital test accessible via smartphones. These tests can predict not only individual behaviors but also the dynamics of group functionality—crucial in both the corporate and sports sectors.

A significant advocate of Capacio’s methodologies is Staffan Olsson, former handball star and current coach of the Dutch national team. Ahead of the 2024 European Championship in Germany, Staffan partnered with Capacio to administer neurocognitive tests to his team, aiming to optimize each player’s role within the squad. Although the championship’s results didn’t fully meet their expectations, significant improvements in individual player integration and team dynamics were evident. Recently he and the team managed to qualify to the world championship 2025, quite an achievement for a small handball nation.

Staffan Olsson’s initiative marks a pioneering move in handball, inspired by his previous successes with Capacio’s technology in football. “The physical limits are almost maxed out in sports today, but the brain remains largely unexplored,” says Staffan. His insights were featured in a national TV segment on Sweden’s TV4, highlighting the transformative impact of Capacio’s neurocognitive tests on sports strategy and team management.

Staffan Olsson will now concentrate on developing a coaching strategy tailored to the unique strengths of his team. With the integration of individual cognitive profiles, provided by Capacio’s innovative brain tests, Staffan aims to enhance the performance by aligning training and tactics with the specific mental capabilities and strengths of each player. This personalized approach is expected to maximize the team’s overall effectiveness, showcasing a pioneering use of cognitive data in sports strategy.