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First the news. Center Shaun O'Hara became the latest in the line of Giants to have offseason surgery. This one was a scope on his left elbow to clean out loose bodies. Recovery time is supposed to be four to six weeks, which means he should be ready to participate in the offseason conditioning program that starts at the end of March.
Now, here's something interesting. Jenny Vrentas of the Star-Ledger wrote a real good story on how the Giants are going to track a sampling of 15 players with Timex' digital heart-rate systems. Such tracking has become almost routine among marathoners and triathletes, but it really hasn't cracked into the realm of team sports.
One of the first things they said at the dedication of the Timex Performance Center -- known here as the Giants' field house -- involved the use of these computerized measuring devices to enhance player training, performance, and safety. It's too early to say if the data will bear any useful fruit, but it's certainly a fascinating concept.
Worth a read.
EP
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I am absolutely shocked that this hasn't been done before. When I was in High School in the early 80s, my track coaches were starting to do this with everyone. I had just taken it for granted that it was done in all pro sports by now. Given the problems the Giants have had with injuries, this is long overdue. I thought the partnership with Timex was just about advertising. What a nice upside that it will help the training staff as well. Smart training techniques were long overdue for the Giants. Maybe now they won't have half the team out with hamstring pulls anymore.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds stupid. It is football, not a marathon or a sprint. It is grueling but highly variable from individual to individual. Some guys have a ridiculously good motor and heart has a lot to do with what goes on on the football field in terms of intensity. Some people need to rationalize their job or create a niche and exploit it even though it is as stupid as a heartrate. How long are these guys on the field running? 15 minutes?? Not even.
ReplyDeleteWayno - Have you ever actually played football? Four quarters of football in full equipment with two teams beating the hell out of one another IS a marathon! Why is the no huddle effective? Because defenses can't sub guys in and out and it takes a toll on the guys left on the field. BTW - if you actually read the article, Timex is providing the equipment, so, no one is trying to "rationalize their job". Unless, of course, you think since football is all "heart", there really is no need for a training staff. After all, if it's only "heart" that matters, why even train at all? You either have the desire or you don't, right? Finally, the one thing you got correct is it IS highly variable from individual to individual. Therefore, by tracking each player's workouts, the training staff can devise the best possible workout for each individual player, as opposed to a one size fits all workout. That hurts the team, how? I would think after this past season's disaster, caused in large part due to injuries, most fans would be open minded to anything that shows real promise in cutting down on non-contact injuries, like the endless number of hamstring pulls the Giants suffer through every year. It's 2010, 10 laps around the field and hit the showers doesn't really cut it anymore.
ReplyDeleteWe need guys with balls and that's it!
ReplyDeleteI think any innovative technique that will help curtail injuries is good. However, this seems to me to be more cardio than any thing else. I fail to see if this will help with our higher incidence of leg injuries. We have an athlete on the team named Aaron Ross whose fiance Sonja Richards is a world class track athlete. If I were Ronnie Barnes, I would think consulting her might be beneficial to our training methods. Aaron could benefit as well from not lifting so much and concentrate more on stretching.
ReplyDeleteIt may have an effect, it may not, there's only one real way to find out. And seeing as nobody here is either a doctor or a physio, i can't really see how any of us are qualified to dismiss the idea.
ReplyDeleteThe fact is that modern pro sports are decided by fractions of inches and any advantage, nomatter how slight it may be, is an advantage nevertheless. if it works, the benefits could be huge. if it desn't work, then who cares? no harm can come of it.
Mitch - "Barnes said the Giants will also rely more on Functional Movement Screens -- which grade a player’s movement patterns and identify asymmetries and weaknesses in his body -- to recognize injuries for which certain players are predisposed."
ReplyDeleteSo, hopefully, there is a chance that the leg injuries can be cut down. As for Ross' hammies and consulting Richards, Ross has already trained with her and her track coach. Hammy still popped. Not sure there is an easy answer for Ross' leg issues, but we can safely rule out Richards as a solution.
the first big draft rumour has struck; http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/all-eyes-still-on-two-big-defensive-tackles-as-tampa-bay-buccaneers/1074793
ReplyDeletewell, ok, not that big, but its one I predicted a while back and i'd be well chuffed if it happened. i could get a slot on NFL network (if Vic Carruci can, anyone can).
I've used a heart rate monitor for running and bikiing for years. It can only help to add this to the training techniques. It will help with the overall conditioning of the team. It would be nice to see the Giants out performing teams in the 4th quarter and better conditioning is key. So i think its a great idea. I can't believe teams aren't already using them. Especially for conditioning.
ReplyDelete