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WATTBIKE ‘OFF-FEET’ CONDITIONING TRANSFORMS PERFORMANCE
Reducing the time spent training ‘on-feet’, running drills or tests, can be greatly beneficial for three main reasons; reduced risk of injury, increased conditioning stimulus as
well as an increased time that those training can spend performing drills or tactics ‘on-feet’.
From an athletic perspective, Hull KR Super League team approached Wattbike Sports Science Consultant, Eddie Fletcher, to help them create a more efficient conditioning programme.
Eddie worked closely with Tom Clough, Head of Athletic Performance and Shane Carney, Head of Strength and Conditioning, firstly in preparing the squad pre-season and then monitoring the programme throughout the season and Play Offs.
Notably, the introduction of ‘off-feet’ conditioning using the Wattbikes resulted in not one of the squad suffering musculoskeletal injuries during pre-season and the fitness levels of all the players continued to improve throughout the season .
“The golden rule in professional sport is to keep your best players on the pitch.” Eddie explains. “Data shows that by using Wattbikes, players can hit physiological training zones in a more efficient way than traditional running-based conditioning drills.”
Shane Carney, Hull KR Head of Strength and Conditioning, adds: “What the bike really lets us do is to target the physiological make-up of that person and improve them without the stresses on the joints and tendons that repetitive running can cause.”
The team all responded positively to the introduction of Wattbike training. Lee Jewitt, Hull KR Prop, said: “Last year, I thought this would be my last season but now I think I’ve probably got two or three more seasons in me. And that’s just from removing the impact of running in training every day.”
Shaun Lunt, Hull KR Hooker and club captain, continues: “I’m coming into the twilight years of my career, and if it wasn’t for the Wattbike training I don’t think I’d be feeling as good as I am now. It’s been a revelation.”
By linking to the Wattbike Hub app, the parameters that the Wattbike measures provide the athlete with an extraordinary range of monitoring and allows the coaches to have access to a broad range of vital performance data.
The Wattbike Performance Computer enables the accurate measurement of more than 40 parameters. Combined with a fully customisable ride setup and the feel of riding a real bike, it provides the user with a highly effective and efficient power-based training solution.
Robbie Mulhern, Hull KR Prop, adds: “As a squad, we have to be one of the fittest in the league at the moment. It’s definitely the fittest I’ve ever felt, and I think that’s down to the Wattbike training.”
But this form of ‘off-feet’ conditioning hasn’t only proved beneficial within sport, it’s also a valuable training tool within the British Army, with Wattbike having previously collaborated with them to create a bespoke performance test that helps soldiers maintain fitness and supports them in recovering from injury.
The ‘Alternative Aerobic Assessment’ (A3) involves a ten minute assessment on the Wattbike that allows physical training instructors (PTIs) and the chain of command to accurately gauge and monitor the aerobic fitness of each individual.
The test is available to troops who are medically downgraded and those who meet other criteria, and replaces the 1.5 mile running element of the army’s current assessment procedure.
As well as being used for fitness assessments, the Wattbikes play a large part in the recovery programme of soldiers returning from injury. All PTIs have received specialist training allowing them to design bespoke training programmes to get individuals back to required fitness levels.
To find out more about how Wattbike can transform your training visit www.wattbike.com