‘The Fitness Freak’ and ‘The Couch Potato’
Case Study: Client J & K - ‘The Fitness Freak’ and ‘The Couch Potato’
Within any team the fitness needs and skills of one team member will differ to another team member. Athletes are also different in their abilities, attitude and approach.
Client J is a fast bowler, and a ‘fitness freak’. Client K is a batsman and more like a ‘couch potato.’ Client J frantically pounded the treadmill for endless miles, and pushed weights like a man possessed. Client K thought that talent was enough. Both were wrong.
Client J - ‘The Fitness Freak’
Client J had lower back problems, affecting him neurologically with a numbness in the legs. Team Fitness designed a programme, which set out to re-balance him, and offset the asymmetrical demands of his positional play.
Team Fitness dropped the ‘junk’ miles of running and replaced them with a more efficient interval programme. In the gym, weights were reduced and the number of repetitions increased, and flexibility was added to the programme. A programme of lumbar spine stretches and exercises was introduced to improve flexibility and rebalancing. The stretches are carried out on a daily basis and form part of his lifestyle routine i.e. like cleaning his teeth. These are remedial in intent and not optional.
Team Fitness also stopped Client J carrying a wallet in his back pocket. We had identified that this habit had the effect of slightly displacing his hip when seated, and since Client J spent hours in his car it was affecting his posture.
He has reported no neurological problems in over a year.
Client K - ‘The Couch Potato’
Team Fitness convinced Client K of the benefits he would enjoy from shedding a few pounds, toning up and improving both his running speed (useful between the wickets) and endurance for those long match-winning innnings.
As with many athletes in an asymmetrical sport (including all racquet sports) he had body imbalances. A programme of thoracic spine stretches and exercises was introduced to improve flexibility and rebalancing.
3 months later, Client K was convinced! He is now fitter, faster and more consistent. His batting average has improved and physically he now has the ability to open his shoulders and drive with greater range. He also has an improved pace between the wickets and in the field. As such he is an improved asset for his club.
