Doha, Laila BelouafaPhysical fitness trainers play an important role during the Qatar Stars League stoppage period, they improve the level of the players’ fitness, maintaining the balance between physical and tactical performance.
Elevating the physical fitness components as well as taking into consideration the training capacity of the players. Physical fitness elements such as acceleration, endurance and strength are key to any player.
Sports science plays a crucial role these days and the physical measures provided by Prozone to all the Qatar Stars League clubs after every game as well as Aspetar’s advanced facilities give the clubs all the necessary provisions to condition the palyers in the right way.
QSL Online went to ask to the QSL clubs physical fitness trainers about their training methods and concepts.
Joao Markus: Al-Sadd Physical Fitness Trainer:
The Brazilian Physical Fitness Trainer of Al-Sadd team assured us that the stoppage period requires a careful balance between physical performance and all the tactical aspects of the team. He stressed on the importance of the current stoppage period for all the teams in order to re-assess and rearrange the players who were not participating regularly in addition to the players returning from injury.
Joao added that the current stoppage period was due to the 22nd GCC Cup and was not beneficial for the players who are regularly fielded and the vice versa for the other player who are not participating regularly. The break hindered the physical fitness levels of the key player but allowed players time to return from injuries.
In addition, the technical staff is working during this period on preparing the players in various ways, notably the physical fitness and tactical side of the game in order to reach the best possible level of readiness for the matches as the league recommences this weekend. He indicated that Al-Sadd is different from the other teams due to many of its players participating with various national teams.
Umm Salal Physical Fitness Trainer:
As for the Umm Salal Physical Fitness Trainer, he announced that he gave to the head coach a tough physical fitness-training program including condensed sessions at the gym in the mornings and at evening outdoor training sessions.
All players participated in this program including the goalkeepers with exception of defender Pizman and Ahmed Fathi as they are currently away with their national teams.
The Physical Fitness Trainer added that each training session includes physical fitness period to increase the players’ levels in addition to special tests for each player in order to identify their readiness for round 11.
In synchronization with the above, the team had a series of friendly games with the aim of lifting the physical fitness level.
“Personally, I think that the players’ physical fitness is improving and the players will reach their peak before the resumption of the league fixtures.”
Al-Shahania Physical Fitness Trainer Saad Younisi:
“We work on improving the players’ physical fitness and elevate their physiological abilities too.”
Al-Shahania Physical Fitness Trainer worked before the beginning of the season on some physical fitness components such as ability, endurance, speed and strength, from which he collected different results.
This gave him important indicators for programing the physical work during the training camp in order to improve the players’ abilities as well as the required physical fitness characteristics for good performance. He added that he succeeded in improving such characteristics individually and as a group.
For instance, one part of the test was VO2 MAX (maximum Oxygen consumption) which was 45 ml during the training camp, which was improved to become 62 ml after the training camp.
According to Prozone statistics, the team was ranked 2nd in round 9 of the Qatar Stars League with regards to “total distance covered by a team”. According to the Physical Fitness Trainer, he divided his goals into three phases before the start of the season:
1. Beginning of the league: Working on improving the players’ fitness and physical abilities as per the physiological requirements, whilst avoiding injuries and enhancing the psychological aspects of the team. At the same time, he compared the results with best players in the QSL and from around the world.
“Without a doubt, we achieved our goal (stretching, endurance, speed and strengthening) whilst avoiding injuries during the physical sessions.”
2. During the league: “We always work during these little breaks on improving some points such speed, agility and certain special drills. We aim to focus also on the treatment of the injured players to avoid further aggravations in the future.
3. Future plan to preserve the players’ physical fitness: Continuing with the scientific methods to preserve the high tempo required for the team’s physical fitness and avoiding the injuries for better results. Furthermore, the mid-season physical fitness elevation plan will observe the players’ lifestyle and diet.
Al-Sailiya Physical Fitness Trainer Wasim:
Due to the pressure of the games over the last ten rounds of the league and with the stoppage period, the players were given four days rest.
After the resumption of the evening training sessions for a week, there were two friendly matches. Firstly against the Myanmar National Team and then Al-Fateh Football Club of Saudi Arabia.
This was then followed by an “closed doors” training camp for the players for six days including morning and evening training sessions as well as two further friendlies against Al-Qadisiyah FC and Al-Khaleej Football Club of Saudi Arabia in order to maintain the players fitness and match rhythm so as to be fully prepared before the start of the round 11 fixtures.
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