SAFC agrees deal with Tees valley fitness firm
SUNDERLAND Football Club has signed a deal with a firm of Tees Valley fitness specialists to help its players avoid the injuries that plagued the first team last season.
The Premier League outfit has invited leading private physiotherapy clinic, Body 2 Fit, based at Wynyard Park near Billingham, to deliver weekly pilates and yoga classes to the playing staff.
The deal will see everyone from youth team players to star names such as John O'Shea and Wes Brown take part in 30 minute body conditioning sessions at the clubs Academy of Light training complex.
Sunderland's medical staff are determined to explore every possible avenue to prevent a repeat of the spate of injuries that derailed the clubs bid for European qualification last season. Manager Steve Bruce grew frustrated as Fraizer Campbell, Titus Bramble, Lee Cattermole and Danny Welbeck were among the key players sidelined with knee and muscular problems.
The deal with Body 2 Fit aims to help the squad to understand how their bodies work and adopt new ways of strengthening muscles that may not respond to traditional training methods.
Former England captain David Beckham reckoned his regular yoga sessions would ensure that he plays top class football into his forties. However, Body 2 Fit co-founder and director Robert White, said that some of the Sunderland players had initially been wary of the changes to their routine.
"Probably the hardest thing is to get men to accept that yoga or pilates is for them," said Mr White, who praised Dr Glen Rae, head of the club's medical department and physio Dave Galley for their support. "Sunderland asked us to work with some of the first team last year and were so happy they invited us to roll it out to the whole club.
"At the start there was no doubt that some of the players were a bit reluctant to get involved. Most footballers are used to a particular routine, which typically involves running around, match practice and weights. But the more they stick at it I think they will start to see that it is beneficial for them and their careers.
"It has been proven, for example, that working the smaller muscle groups around the centre of the spine can help to reduce the likelihood of things such as hamstring injuries. Getting that into the minds of the younger players is ideal as it becomes part of their regular work."
Body 2 Fit has recently invested thousands of pounds in new equipment from the US. It is being used at the studio by a wide range of clients from rowers and dancers to golfers who are looking to improve their swing.
Earlier this month, Joy Feary, co-founder of the business, became the region's only certified practitioner with a qualification from the Pilates Foundation to teach studio and equipment based pilates. She is part of a team which includes specialist physiotherapists, sports injury experts, podiatrists and personal trainers.
SUNDERLAND Football Club has signed a deal with a firm of Tees Valley fitness specialists to help its players avoid the injuries that plagued the first team last season.
The Premier League outfit has invited leading private physiotherapy clinic, Body 2 Fit, based at Wynyard Park near Billingham, to deliver weekly pilates and yoga classes to the playing staff.
The deal will see everyone from youth team players to star names such as John O'Shea and Wes Brown take part in 30 minute body conditioning sessions at the clubs Academy of Light training complex.
Sunderland's medical staff are determined to explore every possible avenue to prevent a repeat of the spate of injuries that derailed the clubs bid for European qualification last season. Manager Steve Bruce grew frustrated as Fraizer Campbell, Titus Bramble, Lee Cattermole and Danny Welbeck were among the key players sidelined with knee and muscular problems.
The deal with Body 2 Fit aims to help the squad to understand how their bodies work and adopt new ways of strengthening muscles that may not respond to traditional training methods.
Former England captain David Beckham reckoned his regular yoga sessions would ensure that he plays top class football into his forties. However, Body 2 Fit co-founder and director Robert White, said that some of the Sunderland players had initially been wary of the changes to their routine.
"Probably the hardest thing is to get men to accept that yoga or pilates is for them," said Mr White, who praised Dr Glen Rae, head of the club's medical department and physio Dave Galley for their support. "Sunderland asked us to work with some of the first team last year and were so happy they invited us to roll it out to the whole club.
"At the start there was no doubt that some of the players were a bit reluctant to get involved. Most footballers are used to a particular routine, which typically involves running around, match practice and weights. But the more they stick at it I think they will start to see that it is beneficial for them and their careers.
"It has been proven, for example, that working the smaller muscle groups around the centre of the spine can help to reduce the likelihood of things such as hamstring injuries. Getting that into the minds of the younger players is ideal as it becomes part of their regular work."
Body 2 Fit has recently invested thousands of pounds in new equipment from the US. It is being used at the studio by a wide range of clients from rowers and dancers to golfers who are looking to improve their swing.
Earlier this month, Joy Feary, co-founder of the business, became the region's only certified practitioner with a qualification from the Pilates Foundation to teach studio and equipment based pilates. She is part of a team which includes specialist physiotherapists, sports injury experts, podiatrists and personal trainers.
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