FITNESS IN SPORT
Saracens’ training facility in St. Albans, Hertfordshire
Indoor bikes to test Saracens WATTBIKE
T
he Wattbike arrived at Premiership Rugby club Saracens’ elite training facility outside of St. Alban’s during 2012 in response to the search for a scientifi-
cally accurate testing and training tool. Following use at international level by the England Rugby team for the past three years, the Wattbike seems to have become the indoor training tool of choice for Premiership Rugby clubs – all bar one Pre- miership club has at least one. Saracens were look-
The needs of rugby union professionals have evolved significantly over the last two decades
ing for a versatile solution which would allow them to test, train and undertake rehabilitation with players from junior through to elite ranks. With a no-compromise philosophy during the development phase with British Cycling, the Wattbike provides Saracens’ sports science team with a
high level of accurate performance data. The demands of a professional sports team mean that players and equipment must be out of action for as little time as possible. The Watt- bike provides a robust platform, handling a 130kg player performing a 2,000 watt plus six second peak power test, a protocol repeated throughout the squad in a single training session. Rugby union has
evolved significantly in the last two decades and as the sport turned professional
the game increased in both pace and size. The appoint- ment of leading sports scientists such as Phil Morrow, performance director, and Andy Edwards, strength and con- ditioning coach, at Saracens is testament to the investment in maximising players’ physical abilities.
Walking ‘the beautiful game’ FUSION
F
usion Lifestyle is running Walking Football sessions for people that would still like to engage in competitive football but can’t run around the pitch.
The Walking Football sessions, which have been running
for the last four months, are a joint initiative between Fu- sion Lifestyle and the Surrey FA, and are aimed at the over 55’s, as well as younger people with injuries that have left them less able. Having spent years away from the game, participants
John McNiff, 54, Martin Goff, 67, and Andy Cox, 62, get to pull their boots on every Friday morning at Thornton Heath Leisure Centre and, after only a few sessions, are already singing its praises. Cox said: “I’m fitter now than I was 30 years ago when I
last played football. It’s benefitted all aspects of my life - now when I go on holiday I can go on longer scenic walks.” The slower paced version of the ‘beautiful game’ is played
with a size 4 Futsal and those who run, jog or sprint will be penalised with a free kick. Each hour-long session starts with a series of stretches and dribbling exercises, moving on
to drills designed to im- prove a player’s ability to shield the ball, before ending with a small sid- ed game. Crystal Palace Foundation has started promoting the sessions to its older and less fit supporters and, with sessions currently taking place in the morning, Fusion Lifestyle is look- ing to add an additional session during the evening or at the weekend to engage younger people. Kevin West, Surrey FA development officer, said: “For any-
one to engage, and continue to participate, in sport it must be something they enjoy. Walking Football provides this opportunity for those who previously loved to play football but felt they could no longer due to lack of fitness.”
The sessions have been very popular
60 Read Sports Management online
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Issue 3 2013 © cybertrek 2013
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