physical preparation of elite athletes

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Physical Preparation of Elite

Athletes

• Performance Culture

• World Class Performance Philosophy

• High Performance Player

• Player Lifecycle

• Building Blocks for Working with Elite Players

• Human Performance Laboratory

Physical Preparation of Elite Athletes

Physical Preparation of Elite

Athletes

Vision

To build a pathway for the next generation of

Manchester United players and be recognised as the

most consistently successful Club in the Premier

League

Objective

To Create an environment that promotes total quality,

attention to detail and a winning mentality in every

single facet of athletic Performance.

• Understand the Performance environment – What is it?

– The way we do things round here

• Results driven – “Quick Wins”

• Performance sport is about risk management

• Training environment

• Evidence based practice & methodology

• Elite athletes are about being different – exceptions to the rule

• Implementation based on knowledge / experience / insight – art & science

Performance Culture

• Understand the coaching process.

• Understand the training process.

• Attention to Detail.

• Resources – manpower.

• Focus on what really makes a difference.

• Be Individual in Approach.

• Look for trends – potential for effect.

• Feedback Driven – empower athlete with knowledge.

World Class Performance Philosophy

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Head of Human Performance

Dr. Richard Hawkins

HUMAN PERFORMANCE LABORATORY

Head of Elite Physical

Development

Dr. Marcello Iaia

Physiological Assessment

Robin Thorpe University Consultant

Dr. Warren Gregson

Human Performance Organisational Model

Sports Science Support

David Kelly

Talent

Conditioning

Support

Head of Strength &

Physiological Development

Dr. Gary Walker

Head of Sports Science

Dr. Tony Strudwick

Nutrition Consultant

Mark Ellison

• Remain injury free.

• Capable of sustaining high performance work rates.

• Capable of playing 50 games.

• Window of opportunity (22 – 32)

• Capable of playing a game every 4 days over a 5 game period.

• Ability to demonstrate sound recovery on objective markers.

• Demonstrate Seasonal Match Availability of 90%.

• Demonstrate Seasonal Training Availability of 85%.

• Achieve Baseline Targets for Sports Science Department.

High Performance Player

Monitoring Player

Monitoring

Sound Recovery

High Performance Functional

screening

Baseline Targets

Programming

High intensity

Conditioning

Achieve 85% Seasonal Training Availability

Recovery time, recovery time variance against expected date, green, yellow, red days

Defined monitoring processes (inc when & how), definitions of recovery protocols, planning strategies,

strength and conditioning pathways, functional assessment protocols, baseline target procedures, dirt

tracking protocols, player medical record tracking, protocols for liaison with medical and coaching staff.

A diagram showing organisational processes and protocol pathways. By clicking on any process in the

organisation chart you can see a list of staff responsibilities.

Planning

Example – 85% Training Availability

Philosophy

Monitoring Conditioning

Goal

Measures of Success

Processes

Organisational Structure

Roles

• Information Platform.

• Analysis of Performance.

• Competition Programme.

• Training Programme.

• Planning.

• Monitoring

• Systematic Development.

• Individualization.

Building Blocks for Working with Elite Players

Building Blocks for Working with Elite Players

Individualization

Systematic Development

Monitoring

Planning

Training Programme

Competition Programme

Analysis of Performance

Information Platform

• Fuel Required to feed the implementation of the process;

• Data collection

• Data Warehousing

• Data Analysis

• Information Dashboards

• Performance Intelligence.

• Integration of match, training, performance and injury data – Prescriptive

driven.

• Ability to communicate to multiple channels;

• Manager

• Coaches

• Medical department

• Chief Executive

The Information Platform

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2

The Information Platform

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By analytics we mean the extensive use of data, statistical and quantitative

analysis, explanatory and predictive models, and fact based

management to drive decisions and actions. The analytics may be input

for human decisions or may drive fully automated decisions. Analytics

are a subset of what has come to be called Performance Intelligence –

a set of technologies and processes that use data to understand and

analyse team performance.

Analytics

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What happened? STANDARD REPORTS

How many, how often, where? AD HOC REPORTS

Where exactly is the problem? QUERY/DRILL DOWN

What actions are needed? ALERTS

Why is this happening? STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

What if these trends continue? FORECASTIN G/EXTRAPOLATION

What will happen next? PREDICTIVE MODELING

What’s the best that can happen? OPTIMIZATION

Degre

e o

f In

telli

gence

Ana

lytics

Access &

Repo

rtin

g

Performance Intelligence and Analytics

Analysis of Performance

• Performance expressed in terms of result, time, score, position etc.

• Performance has a number of component parts;

– Technique, physical, tactical, strategic, event related, psychological

– Equipment, medical, social

• Coaches ensure explanations for performance couched in stable controllable

factors (tactics, fitness) rather than unstable factors (opposition tactics,

physical condition.

• Integral to coaching process.

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• Event strategy

• Performance expectations

Confirmed strategy

• Athlete support role

• Forward administration

Goal derived expectations

Feedback

Detailed tactics

and decisions

• Strategy rehearsal

• Pre-start checklist

• Selection amendments

Performance

Analysis

Emergent strategy

• Observation

• Recording

• Analysis

• Role Input

Analysis of Performance

Performance

Analysis

Performance

Analysis

Post-event management

Pre-event management

Event management

Adapted from Lyle 1998

2000-2010

• Doubled amount of high intensity runs

• Sprint distance increased by 60%

• Top speed achieved up to 9.7 m/s

ProZone – Premier League

Physical performance continues to speed up

Analysis of Performance

• The competition framework determined by success in cup competitions and

is therefore difficult to predict.

• Competition scheduling very significant on planning and periodising the

yearly programme.

• Preparation for competition programme involves a full range of activities;

– Recovery

– Strategy discussions

– Individual preparation

– Rehearsal

– Training

Competition Programme

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Physical Quality

Useful For Physiological

Stimulus Training Protocol

Training Mode Training Code

General endurance Improving the ability to exercise for prolonged period of time

Aerobic moderate

2-7 repetitions of 4-10 min @ 80-90% Hrmax. Rest: ~1 min

Interval running

6v6-10v10

Small to medium

pitch area

Blue

Football specific/ high-intensity Endurance

Improving the ability to sustain & perform repeated high-intensity exercise

Aerobic high

4-8 repetitions of

1-3 min @ 90-95%

Hrmax. Rest: 1-1.5

min

Intermittent running 2v2-4v4 big pitch area 5v5-8v8 specific rules, big pitch area

Yellow

Repeated short/long sprints

Improving the ability to produce power rapidly and perform maximal runs repeatedly

Anaerobic (Speed endurance)

3-18 repetitions of

5-30 s @ maximal/

near maximal

Intensity. Rest: 2-6

exercise time

Straight, shuttle and multidirectional specific runs

Red

Planning – Guidelines for Field Based conditioning

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Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Aerobic low/light Quick Feet/reaction TT/Game

Leg Strength Aerobic moderate/high (short) TT/Game

Speed endurance TT/Game

Injury Prevention Aerobic moderate/high (short) TT/Game

Quick feet/reaction TT/Game

GAME

Recovery Core/Upper Body

Aerobic high TT/Game

Leg Strength Aerobic moderate/high (short) TT/Game

Speed endurance TT/Game

Injury Prevention Aerobic moderate/high (short) TT/Game

Quick feet/reaction Short speed TT/Game

GAME

Injury Prevention Aerobic Moderate TT/Game

Aerobic high TT/Game

TT/Game Core/Upper Body

Leg Strength Speed endurance TT/Game

Aerobic high TT/Game

Quick feet/reaction Short speed TT/Game

TT/Game Leg Power

Injury Prevention Aerobic high TT/Game

Playing Squad

Non Playing Squad

Elite Group

Planning – 1 Match per Week

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Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Aerobic low/light Quick Feet/reaction TT/Game

GAME

Recovery Core/Upper Body

Short Speed Aerobic moderate/high (short) TT/Game

Quick feet/reaction TT/Game

GAME

Recovery Core/Upper Body

Aerobic high TT/Game

GAME

Leg Strength Speed endurance TT/Game

Aerobic moderate/high (short) TT/Game

Quick feet/reaction Short speed TT/Game

GAME

Speed Aerobic moderate/high (short) TT/Game

Aerobic high TT/Game

TT/Game Core/Upper Body

Leg Strength Speed endurance TT/Game

Aerobic high TT/Game

Quick feet/reaction Short speed TT/Game

TT/Game Leg Power

Injury Prevention Aerobic high TT/Game

Playing Squad

Non Playing Squad

Elite Group

Planning – 2 Matches per Week

• Obtain physiological measures during match-play and

Training.

• Determine the physical capacity of elite players.

• Determine readiness to perform (freshness).

• Integration of sophisticated technology:

– Heart Rate Telemetry

– Prozone Analysis.

– Global Positioning Satellite.

– Accelerometers.

– Power Output.

– SmartSpeed.

Monitoring

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Monitoring

Player

Workload

Player Available

to Perform

Player’s age/ history

Fitness status

Physiological profile

Psychological profile

External conditions

Training

External

Load

Internal

Load

Game

Days Per

Game

No. Games/

Min Played

Physical

Demands

What a player does

Distance

Speed

Accel/ decel

Total work

Metabolic power

How a player responds

Heart Rate

Rate of Perceived Exertion

Metabolic response

Monitoring

Monitoring & Intervention

Player Recovery

Readiness/Wellness

Injury Risk

On-Field

Training Match-Play

Off-Field

Strength &

Power

Assessment

Activation/

Warm-up FMS

DPG

Performance

Reliability

Match

Availability

External

Load

Internal

Load

Individual

Pre-habilitation

Exercises

Upper Body

Core Leg Strength

Reduction of Risk Reduction of Risk

Quantifying Work Loads (G.P.S.)

• Global Positioning Satellite (GPS).

• Small device worn on athlete’s back.

• Searches for satellites to determine position.

• Records position, time, body movements, impacts and heart rate continuously.

• Cutting edge technology for work loads.

• Identify performance trends, over or under training or stagnation.

Physical Loading – Elite Sport Issues

• Too much volume / too little intensity / insufficient recovery.

• Heart rate response is not total picture of sport/game

requirements.

• Load isn’t just cardiovascular.

• Mechanical - Muscular

– Concentric

– Eccentric

• Neurological

Technology Solution

• Objective Quantification Workload:

• Body Load

– G-Forces

– Daily/weekly totals

– Recovery time / load volumes.

• Impact Load

– Number of contacts

– Impacts/min

• Marked in injuries

• Junior athletes - performance output logged for comparison with senior players.

• Reflection of how advanced the junior player is compared to senior counterpart

• Recent suggestion that the best indicator of future senior football success maybe performance output during match-play with testing being much less indicative

Physical Loading

• Using this to measure total loading results in a much better planning of future training loads and intensities

• Coach is better able to periodise an athletes training programme for physical and skill related activities

• Des Hasler (Manly Sea Eagles Rugby League)

• % Loading to each session

– 25% Neurological

– 55% Cardiovascular

– 20% Musculoskeletal

Physical Loading

Monitoring - Example

Medical

Provision

Performance

Targets

Monitoring

Protocols

Athletic

Performance

Data

Management

Recruitment

Quality

Control

Performance

Analysis

Operating

Procedures

Performance

Model Management

Processes

Organisational

Structure

Research

Performance

Feedback

Meeting

Protocols

Systematic Development

Systematic Performance Model

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1 2 3 Assessment

Phase Development

Phase

Performance

Phase

High

Performance

Player

2 Regeneration

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AIM

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AIM

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PERFORMANCE EVALUATION SYSTEM ACTION

ENGINE

Players’ Values

1. Ability.

2. Attitude.

3. Application.

Staff Values

1. Creating winners

2. Leading by example

3. Appearance

4. Seeing individuals

5. Setting high standards

UPHOLD UPHOLD UPHOLD Working together to achieve

excellence. Our purpose,

philosophies & processes

are defined & connected

using an OrgWheel

Individualisation

• Understanding the demands of match-play.

• Developing player profiles to understand injury risks.

• Managing risks on a team and individual basis using pro-active monitoring and

intervention.

• Implementation of preventative strategies:

• Manipulating the demands of training, playing load and individualising recovery

• Specific practices to decrease likelihood of injury:

• Functional Movement Assessment

• S & C Impact Model – Identification of physical strengths & weaknesses and

individualised off-field conditioning approach.

• Activation / Warm-Up

MUFC Basic Pre-requisities: Game Sense

1st Team On-Field Playing Time

Position Specific Core Skill: Heading

Position Specific Core Skill: Distribution

Position Specific Core Skill: Tackling

Position Specific Core Skill: Control

Position Specific Core Skill: Possession Retention

Position Specific Core Skill: Turning

MUFC Basic Pre-requisities: Aggression

MUFC Basic Pre-requisities: Will to Win

Match Data: Speed off the Mark

Position Specific HI Running

Position Specific Total Distance

Position Specific Recovery Time

Position Specific Ability to Penetrate

Training Adherence

AVA Personality: Compatability with club culture AVA Personality: Compatability with playing position

Robustness On-Field Leadership / Teamship

Off-Field Leadership / Teamship

Matchwinner Potential: Relative to Posn

Lifeskills: Downtime - Level of Trust

Lifeskills: Club Ambassador & Club Apps.

Prehab: Programme Adherence

Prehab: Injury / Illness Susceptiblity

Athleticism: Leg Power

Athleticism: Acceleration

Athleticism: Top Speed

Athleticism: Absolute Leg Strength

Athleticism: Absolute Upper Body Strength

Athleticism: Relative Upper Body Strength

Athleticism: Relative Leg Strength

Athleticism: Relative Upper Body Strength

Body Composition

Hydration Status

Adherence to Recovery Protocol

Good

Minimum

Outstanding

Fair

Target

Performance data > analysis > action

Individualization - Action Planning

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Entry and exit requirements: Laboratory testing strategy

Return to

High Performance

Stage 7

Reconditioning –

Repeated Sprints

Stage 8

Performance Assessment

Stage 9

Return to Play

Stage 10

Full Training

Assessment

Stage 3

Reconditioning –

Primal Strength

Stage 2

Reconditioning –

Level 1 Core + CV Stage 4 Reconditioning –

Keiser Strength

Stage 5

Return to Training/

Reconditioning

Stage 6

Reconditioning –

Power Development

Stage 1

Injury –

Rehab Plan

Rehabilitation

Reconditioning

Return to Training

Return to Play

HP 1 2 3 4

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Reconditioning Timeline Processes

• Performance Culture.

• World Class Performance Philosophy.

• High Performance Player.

• Player Lifecycle.

• Building Blocks for Working with Elite Players.

• Human Performance Laboratory.

• Thankyou.

Physical Preparation of Elite Athletes

A Working Model for Preparing Elite Players

Planning

Programming

Competition Training

Management

Resources

Human Equipment

Delivery

Monitoring

Internal Traning

Load

External Training

Load

Implementation

Communication Decision Making