How Does A Physiotherapist Help Maintain Players Fitness At Rugby League Clubs

By Adrianna Noton

A physiotherapist has become an integral part of the so-called backroom team of most kinds of contemporary professional sports club. The term ‘being in the physio room’ is often used as a kind of shorthand for being injured in some sports. The role is especially important in a contact sport such as rugby league, but what does a physio do besides rub damaged muscles and strap up painful joints?

One of the most important factors in managing the injuries likely to occur at a rugby league club is make sure that the chances of them happening are reduced. This kind of process is known as ‘pre-hab’ these days, an adaptation of the term ‘rehabilitation, which is what a physio helps players do after they are injured. Pre-hab focuses on making sure that players are less likely to need rehabilitation.

A physio should play a part in shaping each individual player’s individual strengthening and stretching programmes are part of this ‘pre-hab’ process. Stretching helps the muscles to recover from the demands of training and playing as a professional rugby league player. Other techniques to stretch and strengthen have been borrowed from disciplines such as yoga and pilates in recent times.

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Physios will tailor a stretching and strengthening programme to the requirements of specific players, who may have a history of certain types of injury. The way a player’s body functions and is structured may also affect how they need to train. A physio needs to identify potential vulnerabilities and work to minimize the risk that occurs as a result of them.

In these cases, it is important to build core strength in the body. Additionally, any vulnerable areas, such as the muscles around the knee or the ankle, need to be stronger and more flexible. This is especially important for players with a history of previous injury.

If this process of stretching and strengthening is being carried out effectively then their bodies should be able to cope more effectively with the demands that their sport places upon them. Of course, in a game which is so fast and involves such intense physical contact, injuries are still bound to occur on a regular basis, especially with the number of games modern professionals have to play. A physios main job may be to handle to consequences of an injury occurring, but increasingly, they are also expected to prevent injuries occurring.

Working as part of an effective backroom team along with conditioning coaches and nutritionists has also become a crucial part of a physios tasks these days. A nutritionist can tailor a player’s diet so that their health is kept at a high enough level to cope with the demands of playing and training. Hydration and refuelling in order to stay fit and compete are vital for players in today’s game.

Maintaining an effective body weight for their position in the team is crucial for players. Carrying extra fat around, or having too little muscle to protect vulnerable areas means that the chance of injury is increased. A physiotherapist must therefore work very closely with other health professionals at the club in order to ensure that players are kept in the best possible condition at all times.

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