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Gloucester University helps keep players fit
Bulls News has been given an unique insight into the relationship between Hereford United Football Club and Gloucester University. The squad regularily visit the university to help with their fitness which showed through again last night in the LDV Game with Doncaster Rovers.
The University of Gloucestershire, through the Director of Sports Department,is delighted to be associated with Nationwide Conference, Hereford United Football Club.
The association has been in place for three years, with HUFC visiting the prestigious School of Sport and Leisure complex at the Oxstalls Campus in Gloucester, initially during the first few days of pre-season training.
This is followed by a repeat test just prior to the season kick off, then at regular intervals through the season thus allowing Managing Director, Graham Turner, Team Coach John Trewick and Fitness Advisor Tony Ford an overview of the individual player's progress through a specialised reporting proceedure, that is confidential between Club Management and the University's Director of Sport.
The fitness test commences with height and weight measurement, followed by the flexibility 'sit and reach'assessment. An 'Illinois Agility test' measures in seconds, over a pre-specified course, an individuals ability to change direction at speed.
Aerobic Capacity (stamina) brings into play the 'Aero Test' providing the information on the individuals ability to maintain oxygen consumption with increasing exercise intensity.
A 10 and 30 metre sprint tests the players straight line speed and acceleration.
The 'Wingate Anaerobic Power test'- a 30 second maximal sprint on a cycle ergometer- measures the individuals ability to produce power, giving the information :- Peak Power, Time to Peak, Mean Power and Rate to Fatigue.
Graham Turner and his Coaching Staff should be congratulated on taking the original initiative, now a regular and expected part of their seasons football, to introduce, in association with the University of Gloucestershire, this specialised, professional aid to their coaching and training programme.
Needless to say this University never releases any information on specific player or club achievements and performances other than, on this occasion, to give Bulls News the following statement:
The Director of Sports Department, at the University of Gloucestershire, Peter Durham, is delighted to be involved with Hereford United Football Club, through an exceptional working relationship with Graham Turner and his staff, providing a professional fitness testing programme.
We are, again on this occasion, prepared to comment that the fitness levels of Hereford United Football Club are of the highest standard their profession demands.
My team send their best wishes and great luck to Graham Turner, the Coaching Staff, the Players and Supporters of HUFC for the remainder of the 2004/2005 season.