LEEDS UNITED - EP 3: BENCHMARKING & TESTING DATA

In this third and final episode of the Wattbike x Leeds United mini-series, we talk to Rob Price, Head of Medicine and Performance, Tom Robinson, Head of Sports Science and Reuben Crespo, Rehab and Fitness Coach about how the Wattbike is utilised to test and benchmark the players through the year.

“Going back to what we discussed in episode one of this miniseries where we talked about using the Wattbikes in a more tailored way for our Goalkeepers, it’s the same for them when it comes to the testing and benchmarking using the data of the Wattbike.” Robinson explains.

“In the pre-season period, we do a number of tests with the outfield players and as football is a running based sport so most of the tests for them are on a running track or on a treadmill.”

“Part of the idea of that is to benchmark aerobic capacity and maximum heart rates but for Goalkeepers who aren’t accustomed to the longer distance running durations, we have alternative solutions which is the Maximal Ramp Test on the Wattbike. That gives us some really useful data to then programme the training of what they do on the field throughout the season.”

“The level of testing data that we can get on the Wattbike is beyond what we can get on the other bikes, even down to the asymmetry between limbs and the pedalling efficiency, these are all things that we can use to identify imbalances and weaknesses that we can work on as a department to help that player.”

“The level of testing data that we can get on the Wattbike is beyond what we can get on the other bikes. Just having a knowledge of the player, through the Wattbike data, gives us loads of scope to programme individualised training programmes adaptable to each player.” Tom Robinson, Head of Sports Science

“We definitely could be using the Wattbike for even more testing. I know at other clubs’, players are regularly doing the 6-second power test to look at neuromuscular fatigue which is a really interesting area I’d like to explore more in the future.”