Training for Longevity
Michael Black explains how sports science has revolutionised how athletes train, giving athletes the platform to enjoy much longer careers at the highest level.
The origins of analysing performance can be traced back to the ancient Olympic Games in Greece, although the practice did not take off until the 20th century.
The former Soviet Union began using sports science extensively during the 1950s, prompting other countries to follow suit quickly.
Things have moved on rapidly since then, and sports science techniques are now commonplace worldwide. Read on as we look at how science has changed how athletes train.
Science helps Giggs join an exclusive group
Former Manchester United and Wales star Ryan Giggs utilised many facets of sports science to enjoy a hugely successful career in top-class football.
Giggs was the fourth outfield player to play in the Premier League at 40, joining Teddy Sheringham, Kevin Phillips, and Gordon Strachan in an exclusive group of veterans.
He played over 1,000 games during his career and won 34 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and two Champions Leagues. He mastered multiple soccer positions, starting wide and ending his career playing in central midfield.
Giggs famously added yoga to his training regime after research showed that it could significantly impact an athlete's ability to maintain fitness levels.
He also fully embraced the advice of famed sleep coach Nick Littlehales, introducing new resting techniques into his daily life that significantly improved his recovery from physical activity.
Adding those two elements to his regular training routine undoubtedly helped Giggs stay at the top level for over 20 years.
Cryotherapy contributed to Ronaldo’s longevity
As he closes in on his 35th birthday, Juventus and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo is shows no signs of slowing down.
The five-time Ballon D’or winner remains at the peak of his powers, with sports science playing its part to keep him at the top of his profession.
Ronaldo sticks to a rigid fitness regime, working out five days a week for up to four hours per session to maintain his tremendous physique.
He has also implemented stringent warm-up techniques rooted in sports science, which help him perform at his best.
Ronaldo has also embraced cryotherapy, famously installing a chamber in his house to speed up his recovery.
The science behind cryotherapy has been proven to help athletes recover from their exertions, as highlighted by the Super League’s Wigan Warriors in 2014.
Top trio leading a revolution in tennis
In addition to football and rugby league, plenty of other sports use science to extend the career expectancy of their top stars.
Tennis is a superb example, with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic continuing to dominate the sport despite each being past 30.
The trio has used many elements of sports science to stay at the top of the rankings, setting an example that many younger players are likely to follow.
Djokovic's transformation during his career is perhaps the most noteworthy. The Serbian is now physically unrecognisable from the player who used to be criticised for being fragile.
The 32-year-old has added nutritional supplements to his daily diet, and a gluten-free diet has also significantly affected him.
Page Reference
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- BLACK, M. (2019) Training for Longevity [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/article504.htm [Accessed
About the Author
Michael Black is a freelance journalist.