How to best prepare yourself for a productive preseason in AFL
By Gold Coast Suns Academy Lead Physio & our Senior Physio, Hayden Singe
How often have you started a preseason with the intention of making it your best yet, only to encounter a new injury that disrupts your momentum?
To help you achieve the strong, uninterrupted preseason (and set you up for awesome performances in game season), here are my top four recommendations….
1. Prioritize Strength Training At This Time:
Incorporating a structured gym routine is essential for optimising performance and reducing injury risk. Strength training builds resilience in key muscle groups that support athletic movement/development. A well-designed, individualised gym program will allow you to achieve these benefits.
Feel like you need help with this? This is where input from a physiotherapist or strength & conditioning coach can be invaluable.
2. Manage Your Workload:
What does effective workload management (training) look like? It involves monitoring your weekly training volume intensity (amount of distance and intensity and total type) and comparing it with what you were doing 4-6 weeks earlier. Proper workload management is crucial to allow for optimal adaptations and improved injury resilience. If you’re unsure how to approach this, our experienced physiotherapists are here to help
3. Prioritise Recovery:
Recovery is essential for physical progress, allowing the body to repair and grow stronger between sessions. Effective recovery includes areas like sleep, nutrition, and targeted recovery strategies. If you’re frequently waking up sore after preseason sessions, it may indicate a need for better recovery support. Our physiotherapists and massage therapists are ready to help you fine-tune your recovery plan.
4. Optimise Nutrition:
Fuelling your body with high-quality food is essential to support healing and performance during preseason training. As athletes, we need the right nutrition to handle the demands placed on our bodies. If you’d like guidance on how to improve your nutrition, our sports dietitian at Gold Coast Physio and Sports Health is here to help.
Following these key strategies will set you up for a strong and injury-free preseason. For tailored advice, reach out to our team of dedicated professionals
You Can Book an Appointment Online With Our Team to Help You
