AFL Finals is an exciting time of year in Melbourne, with all competing clubs looking to achieve optimum performance following a very long season.

The importance of sports science in AFL team success is well-documented, given the dynamic pace at which the game is now played the need for management of the players health, well-being and output is paramount.

Numerous members of the team at Physioworks Health Group had a busy 2019 AFL Finals series working with the Collingwood Football Club. Senior Physiotherapist David Francis and other members providing their physiotherapy and massage therapy experience to the Collingwood Magpies as the club again competed in the AFL Finals.

• David Francis – AFL Senior Physiotherapist
• Ben Shipperd – AFL Rehabilitation Physiotherapist
• Sam Mayes – VFL Physiotherapist
• Paul Kemel – VFL Physiotherapist
• Larissa Cordiano – Senior Sports Massage Therapist

 

As a Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist* & Head Physiotherapist at the club since 1995, David Francis has advised elements of the training and match day preparation of the CFC playing squad to help minimise injury and maximise output. David discusses some key challenges to have elite AFL footballers prepared for the intensity of a AFL finals campaign after a long home and away season:

Player welfare is critical during a finals campaign to help optimise output and performance.

There are many challenges, both physical and mental, for the physiotherapy and allied health care team to closely monitor at the club, including:

• Playing Injury Free – this is hard to achieve so we aim to minimise over-use and manage niggles & general soreness
• Manage the ability for players to maintain fitness & strength
• Keep both players and staff calm; controlled.
• Don’t be overawed; “play your role”
• Controlling nervous energy, as it can quickly leads to fatigue – physical & mental.
• Watch for signs and cues in each individual – in decision making, in mood, in approach – our team need to be smart in addressing this with each individual
• Help to block out “external noise” – focus and do “the same as we have all year”
• Encourage individuals & the team to enjoy the opportunity presented.

While some of these challenges maybe unique to an elite AFL club environment, the majority remain true across multiple sports – be it cricket, basketball, netball, soccer – and across any level of competitive sport – local sport, community sport – no matter what the level or grade of competition.

To find out more about working in Sports Physiotherapy and what goes on behind the goal posts in preparing elite athletes in the highly competitive AFL club environment, listen to this APA “Talking Physio” Podcast featuring Collingwood Head Physiotherapist David Francis.

  

 

*As awarded by the Australian College of Physiotherapy in 2009.

Images courtesy of the Collingwood Football Club: http://physioworkshealthgroup.com.au/

 ‘One of the joys of being involved in elite sport is the joy of winning—but that joy doesn’t last long in that it might last to participate in the song, but as soon as that song is finished, it’s game on for the next week.’                                     – David Francis, FACP.

With AFL 2019 finals series now in full swing, this Australia Physiotherapy Association (APA) “Talking Physio” podcast discusses with APA members and Collingwood Football Club physiotherapists David Francis and Lachlan Fooks their journey to becoming physiotherapists for the largest AFL club in Australia.

David and Lachlan open up about what really goes on behind the goal posts and offer advice to physiotherapists aspiring to work for a professional sporting club.

Listen to the APA Podcast as Physioworks Health Group Director David Francis shares his pathway, thoughts, challenges & enjoyment, along with advice for aspiring physios, plus some unique insights, into his elite sports physiotherapy role at the Collingwood Football Club?.

Spring has sprung. And that means it is fun run season.

Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist Andrew Dalwood, Director of Waverley Park Physiotherapy Centre and Co-Director of Physioworks Health Group Camberwell, discuss lessons he has learnt over the last 12 months as a novice 50 year old runner in training and on fun run event race day.

As a physiotherapist you meet a wide range of athletes – some young and elite, some older with much longevity. I always find this interaction as a wonderful avenue to learn; as I have listened to, and treated, many injured people over the years.

But over the last twelve months, at numerous times as a novice 50 year old runner training for my first Half Marathon (21.1km), I have had to learn to listen to myself!!

So what did I learn?  That Knowledge is King.

 

1. Knowledge about Yourself:

The impact on my mood when I run often –“I feel great”

The Impact of injury –“Boy, I get frustrated”,

On days when feeling great & moving fast meant lots of “self-talk” to slow down to usual training pace!! Otherwise my body—mainly my right calf – would soon start to let me down.

When any run starts to get tough – I count by “7”s for as long & far as I can. My record is up to 406 – it helps passes the time and stops my negative thinking of how tired or sore I feel.  Other runners tell me the music works really well for them!

And I have a new found love for the foam roller, which I use on my calf, quads and hammy every two to three days.

2. Knowledge about your Body:

The importance of enough sleep before training runs really does make a difference.

As does the time period between of trainings sessions – allow enough recovery time. For me after a long run 10+km; I need a 3-4 days break.

When I can easily do 30 single leg calf raises and 30 single leg bridges again; I have a clear indicator that I am ready to go for a run again. Doing a long walk the day after a long run, at a reasonable pace, also helps my recovery.

I have found lying on my back legs elevated up on the couch with calf pumps for 10 minutes really helps my leg recovery as well.

And rehydrating with water – after each run – is most critical.

3. Knowledge about your Training Methods:

Number of runs: I have found that twice a week is great for me, with usually 5-8 km mid-week; and build up from 7km to 16km longer weekend run –  increasing the length of run every two weeks by a couple of kms.

The types of runs: Some are just plain long and slow; some have a variety of inclines, such as ramp runs along the beach, so as to test my cardio quickly; and some I might mix with a shorter, quicker, faster run mid-week.

And then add strengthening work: I have tried a variety of days/times to do strength work.  For me, I have found placing this work on the days after the long runs; & at least two days before my “big weekend run” works best. And I enjoy mixing it up with some box jumps, Bosu ball squats & dead weight lifts.

4. Knowledge about your Race Plan

Following my 2018 Half Marathon event, I have bought a “Fit Bit”  for my 2019 training; to help keep and maintain steady pace, as I found the adrenaline of the event pumped me up to go too hard too early.

There is a big crowd in many races, such as the Melbourne Marathon Festival,    so be patient, build into your pace as it takes a while to get into your groove.

Drink at every water station and I found jelly snakes are GOLD for energy. (NB: you should train to take in drink & food at specific times during your race – and stick to same food & drink on race day – DO NOT change).

My 2019 event plan is to be tested on Sunday 13^th October when I tackle the Melbourne Half Marathon again – and my previous experience and lessons will stand me in great stead.

My tips are by no mean the only way of doing things and there is plenty of information and training plans available (see Melbourne Marathon Training)

So I suggest you read all the information and then think about your own body, your level of fitness, and above all, learn to listen to your body.

Each time I’ve had an injury it is because my mind tells me I can and must do that extra run or go faster, but then my legs (and calf) often end up telling me something else.

There-in lies the real lesson.

Happy Exercising, Happy Running.

Each year, World Physiotherapy Day (September 8) highlights an aspect of healthcare that physiotherapy is uniquely placed to address. This year, the theme is Chronic Pain.

The highly experienced team of physiotherapists at Physioworks Health Group are best qualified to assist you with your Chronic Pain.

Our Physiotherapy team can help you to understand how pain works, reduce fear around pain, educate you about the condition that you maybe experiencing and encourage you to safely take part in physical activity and build confidence.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) states that chronic pain affects 3.2 million Australians, and is often associated with increased rates of depression, fatigue and poor sleep.

Physioworks Health Group Director Andrew Dalwood said assisting people with chronic conditions to improve their general health and overall well-being, to help them live life to the fullest, is key to the role of the physiotherapist.

“At Physioworks Health Group we believe that “everyone is an athlete the just have different events”. Chronic pain impacts participation – that maybe sport, the work place, simply doing the garden or walking around the block. Assessment and a tailored exercise action plan is key to managing chronic pain, helping you to take control and participate in your life events” said Andrew.

A tailored, managed exercise program for chronic pain at Physioworks Health Group can assist to:

• maintain flexibility and movement
• improve cardiovascular health
• build and keep muscle tone
• improve mood and general wellbeing
• reduce your fear around pain
• increase confidence to take part in activities
• help control pain

If you are suffering chronic pain please contact your preferred Physioworks Health Group clinic for physiotherapy assessment and treatment.