This article published in Training Ground Guru shares how external sports nutrition and performance experts can enhance football player performance through collaboration and effective support.
This article was produced by Mr. James Collins, Managing Director of INTRA Performance Group, and Dr. Ben Rosenblatt, Founder and CEO of 292 Performance through their partnership called INTRA292. Their collaboration aims to provide holistic external performance services for elite players seeking help in performance nutrition, strength and conditioning, and performance science to improve individual player performance.
Why Players Seek External Support
Fifteen years ago, athletes sought rehabilitation at facilities like Bisham Abbey due to their clubs' limited resources or the need for extra expertise. These athletes experienced reduced stress and better recovery, emphasising that “peer support, having a team committed to them and the time taken to understand their situation in more detail were key.”
Recently, more athletes in various sports and musicians have been forming their own performance teams. This shift aims to ensure constant support throughout their careers. Agents now often request external support to improve players' performance and maximize the longevity of their careers as clubs lack the resources and staff to provide individual support, making external services an alternative.
Core Operating Principles of INTRA292:
Communication: One of the main focuses of the INTRA292 partnership is clear communication with clubs, ensuring full visibility of training programs and sharing of all data and insights with both players and clubs. This approach has increased trust and collaboration with the experts, aligning work programs to address challenges.
Coaching: The programs involve weekly touchpoints to develop players' skills in physical preparation, psychology, nutrition, and physiology, aiming to improve performance in training and matches. This includes understanding players' home environments and habits to execute nutrition and recovery strategies.
Contracts: All INTRA292 programs are long-term to ensure commitment and trust in both players and our practitioners’ team. This means that long-term contracts are in place that include strict confidentiality and data privacy clauses.
Credibility: The external support team must have the right skills, and qualifications, and follow company systems to effectively solve player performance problems. Their credibility and expertise, which might be lacking internally make them a valuable extension of the club's team.
External support can greatly benefit players when managed well. Clear communication, coaching, long-term contracts, and credibility are key to making external support a positive addition to a club's performance team.
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