Hamstring trouble in the AFL

[imported_Rick]

Source:
Realfooty.com
http://realfooty.com.au/news/news/saint ... ntentSwap1 (http://realfooty.com.au/news/news/saints-all-strung-out/2007/04/26/1177459879417.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1)

Saints all strung out

Lyall Johnson | April 27, 2007
HAMSTRINGS. They're beautiful things

[jamie douse]

i have been a loyal saint kilda supporter for around 25 years and nothing they do really surprises me

this is a huge surprise though, i cant believe they have not been using squats in their resistance training programmes.

Whether or not it is the cause of hammy problems remains to be seen, however, it is surely an essential component of a strength & conditioning program for an elite athlete.

Oh when the saints go hobbling in......

[jamie douse]

this is not directly related to hammys

Those who follow the AFL will probably rememeber the cats fell in a screaming heap last year. As is usually the case some of the blame was laid on the fitness staff, and in this case it could be fair enough

i have heard from a student of mine, whos brother played at the club last year, (yes i know bit of chinese whispers but if its even remotely true) that immediately following games players were required to go into the gym and complete a resistance programme to fatigue. I have never heard of anything so ridiculous.

the head of the fitness department was sacked.............i wonder why theyre so shit this year

[valerymelinda]

I read the information on the Cats and the hamstring problems at the Saints with great interest.

The reason for the head fitness guys sacking at GFC was not for fitness or injuries at all. In fact the whole thing was settled totally in his favour a year later. The matter had zero relevance to fitness.

They gave him a media statement thanking him for developing their list. Amazing isnt it!

Since 2000 the Cats averaged under half the rate of hamstring injuries in the AFL. They are the facts. They were innovative and contributed to research significantly. Even in 2006 there were very few hamstrings. And I recollect he was gone early 2006 after 2 finals years and a NAB cup! Work it out! They had been in finals in 2004 and 2005 with a young squad. Crazy eh! So lumping people in one basket can be deadly.

As for the Saints and what they did I do not have a huge idea other than they were involved in some research projects over the years with hamstrings and also that they went through many fitness staff which was probably the mistake.

So the Saints sadly may have gotten their development processes wrong over a long period and now may be getting it together with a more steady approach.