News Update
February 2009
Sports Science Technology is Vital Ingredient for Warren Gatland + Welsh Rugby Union
Welsh rugby has enjoyed major success over the last 16 months since the arrival of Head Coach Warren Gatland and his assistant Sean Edwards and it is no small surprise that Gatland is a major fan of sports science technology.
Users of the optima-life's Firstbeat technology will be interested in an interview which appeared in the TIMES newspaper 16/02/09, following the Welsh victory over England at Cardiff, entitled 'Warren Gatland uses latest technology to keep his finger on the pulse',
In the article by John Hopkins, the Welsh coach discusses 'the importance of sports science technology and the highest standards of physical conditioning to turn Wales into the fittest team in the northern hemisphere'. Gatland is quoted as saying 'Science is important to us. We are trying to become the best athletes we can'.
Such are the demands on the modern day sports player, monitoring of stress levels and recovery are becoming an essential ingredient in the overall approach to performance. Now the technology is available to give accurate, real time physiological data on a player's recovery, as well as performance. It is no longer a case of guessing how tired a player might be or whether he or she has recovered from training, a match or simply covering up a late night out.
'...we put heart rate-monitors on them looking at stress levels and how tired they are and how they have slept.' said Gatland in the interview.
For the Welsh players, it is evident they are now very much part of the educational process and judging by the success on the pitch, it is clearly paying dividends.
To read the article in full, follow the link below:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby_union/article5741696.ece
Optima-life gives the definitive answer on stress levels in the Harding household
Freelance journalist Nick Harding and his wife Carly both lead busy and stressful lives. Nick finds himself suffering daily with the trials and tribulations of work, life and being a daily rail commuter while his wife juggles two young children and a part-time evening job.
In an amusing article in the Independent (23-02-09) Nick recounts how he and his wife decided to get the definitive answer on just who was the most stressed. Nick and his wife visited the Healthpod at the Hospital of St John + St Elizabeth, an optima-life accredited health + performance centre. There they were assessed by the Healthpod team and kitted out with memory belts which they wore for 48hours.
Stress levels, performance and recovery were all measured using Firstbeat HEALTH.
To find out what happened follow this link:
You can also read this story in the Daily Mail, Tuesday 24/02/09.
Just follow this link:
