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You are in: Rugby Union: Features |  |
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Fitness tips to take YOU to the top! | |
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Around the Academy: |
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Quins' fitness showed through in the cup final
Want to train like a real rugby pro? Well, who better to turn to than Paul Pook, one of the game's leading fitness experts. Paul is the strength and conditioning coach at Harlequins, and he helped them to victory in this year's Parker Pen Challenge Cup final. A former player himself, Paul has worked with many of the world's top international players - including England wing Dan Luger. Here he shares some of the top tips and advice that could help take YOU to the top of the game.
The way rugby is played has changed a lot during the last 20 years - which means the way we train has changed too. Just compare a Scotland v Wales international way back in 1971 with the Tri Nations encounter between Australia and New Zealand in 2000. In 1971 the ball was in play for 24 minutes, there were 145 passes and 151 stoppages.
Now fast forward to 2000. The ball was in play for 34 minutes, players strung together 325 passes and there were only 68 stoppages. Players' average body weights have also changed. In the 1970s the average wing weighed in at a puny 80kg (12st). But by 1999 the average was 102kg (15st).
So, you can see the game is a lot faster than it used to be, which means the demands on players have changed too. Now the emphasis is also on strength and power rather than just stamina and endurance. It's about balancing speed with strength, fitness and agility.
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