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Rochdale AFC Academy

Sport Science & Medicine

2019/20

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Departmental Plan

Elite performance support services departmental plan which incorporates principle

areas such as; physiology, physiotherapy, soft tissue therapy, psychology, diet and

nutrition, strength and conditioning and performance analysis.

DEPARTMENTAL PLANS

MEDICINE – Wes Tensel / Steve Wensley / Callum Ryan Jones / Karly Bland

VISION

To further develop the Academy by providing an outstanding Prehabilitation and Rehabilitation service, including Assessment & Treatment, to all players. To develop a fit for

purpose staffing model with highly qualified medical personnel, in state of the art facilities using the latest technology and equipment. To provide a seamless multi-disciplinary

strategy and communication system.

OBJECTIVES

•Try to increase playing time in minutes on the training ground and pitch for all players

•To develop an internal communication strategy

•To produce, analyse and make recommendations from an annual audit of injuries

•Ensure all players have received annual medical screening

•Ensure all Emergency Action Plans are in place for all facilities

•Ensure medical procedures are communicated and followed for all reported injuries

•Try to improve the department through research and innovation

MEASUREMENT & PERFORMANCE TARGETS• To attain all current Medical Forms for all Academy players & trialists

• To complete all U18 ECG tests

• All Academy players to have periodised Fitness Testing

• All Academy players to receive Prehab programmes and monitored

• Recruit interns to support Academy programmes

• Produce Quarterly Audit of Injuries

• Produce Functional Movement Screening

• Produce and distribute EAP’s for all facilities

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Essential Costing Desirable Cost

OXYGEN £600 JUMP MATT x 2 £1600

DEFIB £300 FOAM ROLLERS £120

ENTONOX £60-100 LACROSSE BALLS £10

TAPE & MED SUPP £5000 Big Resistance Bands

£30

COURSES/CPD £700 Medicine Balls £35-80

PREHAB BANDS £30 Smart Hurdles £85

Gym Balls x 2 £40 Power Speed Chute x 3

£45

Scans x 3 £1050

BUDGET IMPLICATIONS

SPORT SCIENCE – Steve Wensley / Callum Ryan Jones / Simon Bowles – Analysis TBC

VISION

To progress the Academy by providing elite sports science service throughout all phases of the development pathway, developing a Club-specific approach to sports science

support. The development of a full-time department with ‘football scientists’ at the core of supporting the holistic development of Academy players with the use of the Club’s own

Strength & Conditioning facility. A comprehensive working integration with all other Academy departments for development of the Academy’s players & staff.

OBJECTIVES

- Maximise playing & training time by developing physically robust players.

- Develop an understanding of the physical profile of each Academy player.

- Ensure all players receive & perform their individual physical development programmes.

- Use of season-by-season fitness testing data to individualise both field- & gym-based physical development programmes.

- Create physical performance profiles aligned to the Club’s positional profiles, philosophy, & DNA.

- Observe maturation traits & use maturation data to guide the progression of players through the phases of the development pathway & assist in the informed-decision making

processes.

- Preparing Academy players for the full-time, professional, playing & training environment.

- Managing the consistent intake of sports science interns.

- Progression of the Department & staff by creating academic partnerships, using their research insights to inform practices; specifically the development of a Club movement

screen to reduce injury occurrence.

MEASUREMENT & PERFORMANCE TARGETS

- Ensure all Academy players perform physical fitness tests & maturation assessments three times per season.

- Provide physical benchmarks for each age group within each phase of the development pathway.

- Produce individual programmes for YDP-PDP plus selective players at FP

- Provide Academy physical benchmarks for each age-group

- Produce Functional Movement Screening

BUDGET IMPLICATIONS

- CPD

- Qualifications

- Maintenance & upgrading of testing equipment

- Field- & gym-based equipment

- Intern expenditure 4

DEPARTMENTAL PLANS

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Staffing Model

-

BOARD (AK)+ CEO (DB)

AcademyManager (TE)

AcademySecretary (SA)

Head of Sport Science & MedicineSenior Academy Physio

(SW)

PDP & YDPS & C(CRJ)

AcademyDoctor (WT/IS)

Match Analysis (CJ)

Ass. Physio (CRJ)

Sport Science & Medical Staffing Model

Ass. Physio (KB)

FP S & C(SB)

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Emergency Action Plan

The Academy Doctor should be responsible for the development of the Emergency

Action Plan for both training and games and all Academy staff should be aware of its

content.

EAP’s 2019/20 Season

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Soccer

Factory

Matthew

Moss

Hyde

United FC

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Heywood

Sports

Village

Hopwood

Hall

College

Stalybridge

Celtic

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Intra Departmental

IntegrationPractitioners are fully combined into the holistic Academy support team and work

closely with other departmental staff at training and at matches. Practitioners operate

holistically through effective communication, integration and understanding to facilitate

decision-making when planning coaching sessions to provide data required to analyse

each player's strengths and weaknesses and structure training sessions with detail and

purpose.

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Medical Screening

Testing and interventions are designed and used to identify syndromes, injuries,

illness etc., enabling earlier intervention and management to reduce injury and illness

occurrence. The range of medical and physiological tests or examinations conducted

by a health professional as part of a regular check-up of a player. A prime objective of

such screening is to find abnormalities likely to present a risk of injury to the individual,

or to detect any condition that would be aggravated by exercise.

Medical Questionnaire

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Please note that all coaching staff are L2EAIF/BFAS qualified and hold medical records for their own age group, this includes details on asthma,

allergies and any other condition that they need to know about.

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Fitness Testing

Fitness testing is a way of assessing and recording the physical related components of

a footballer’s capacity. Testing refers to the exercises carried out in order to establish a

comprehensive physiological profile of a player and will be specific and reliable enough

to reflect the actual status of specific fitness components of players.

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Fitness Testing

Physical fitness tests are performed three times per season for all phases of the development pathway

(PDP, YDP, & FP).

Tests are performed at the following stages of each season :

- Pre-season (June/July)

- Mid-season (December/January)

- End-of-season (April/May)

The following physical capacities & tests are performed, to establish a comprehensive physical profile of

Academy players:

- Aerobic capacity: Yo-yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (U13s upwards only)

- Change of Direction: Arrowhead (Right & left)

- Acceleration: 0-5 m sprint test

- Speed: 0-10 m & 0-30 m sprint test

- Power: Countermovement Jump (no arms)

See PMA: https://pma.premierleague.com/Sections/Fitness/CustomFitnessTests.aspx

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National Benchmark

Fitness TestingClub comparison of physical and physiological fitness component tests (as defined by

BASES, the Premier League or another recognised series of fitness tests). This shall

be submitted to the League (upon request) in order to establish a national database of

player performance and development.

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National Benchmark Fitness Testing

Rochdale AFC Academy registered their interest in taking full part in the ‘National Benchmark Fitness

Testing & Growth & Maturation Projects’ proposed by the Premier League & Football League (pro forma

completed & returned), but have since received no feedback as to the progress of these projects.

Rochdale AFC Academy is willing to submit its fitness testing results to the Football League when

requested & allow access to the data via PMA.

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Movement & Physical

ScreeningKinanthropometry analysis serves as the basis for assessment of movement skills

(jogging, sprinting, jumping, landing, twisting, turning under control, receive and give

body contact) to measure complex movements. It is used to identify functional

movement deficits such as muscular imbalances/asymmetries, flexibility deficits

(mobility), balance or stability.

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Movement & Physical Screening

Movement & physical screening is performed in the YDP & PDP. Rather than use commercially available

movement screens (i.e., FMS) that do not depict biomechanical differences or assist with the identification

of players at increased risk of non-contact injury, RAFC Academy assesses the movement qualities of its

YDP & PDP players via a movement continuum (see next slide).

This consists of assessing players’ efficiency & proficiency at performing the following movements:

- Squat

- Push (upper)

- Hinge

- Pull (upper)

- Unilateral lower

This information is then used when designing individual strength & prehabilitation programmes; & is

continuously assessed on a weekly basis, by progression or regression within their programme.

See personal files & 6/12 weekly reviews.

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Movement & Physical Screening: Movement Continuum

Squat Push Hinge Pull Unilateral Lower

Back/Front Squat Variations Landmine/DB Press Variations Deadlift/RDL Variations Pull Up/Row Variations Loaded Bulgarian/Step Ups

5 Landmine Squat Loaded Push Up Deadlift Pull Up Single Leg Squat Variations

4 DB Front Squat Band Push Up Single Leg Hip Thrust Band Pull Up Multi Directional Lunge

3 Goblet Squat Feet Elevated Push Up Hip Thrust Eccentric Pull Up Cossack Squat

2 Box Squat (Goblet) Push Up Eccentric Emphasis BW Single Leg Romanian Bent Over Row Bulgarian

1 DB Sumo Squat Push Up Pause Banded Good Morning Supine Row Walking Lunge

0 BW Squat Press Up Barbell Romanian Supine Row Reverse Grip Reverse Lunge

-1 Heels Raised Squat Push Up Hands Elevated Dowel Romanian Bent Over Row Dowel Split Squat

-2 Pole Squat Eccentric Only Push Up Wall Romanian TRX Row Step Up

-3 Supermans Scap Push Up Hip Bridge Supine Kettlebell Hurdle Drills Under

-4 Wall Squat Plank on Hands Glute Bridge Plank on Hands Hurdle Drills Over

-5 Supine Squat Plank Lying Leg Raise Plank Unilateral Balances

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Maturation Measurement

Predictive Testing of Size

& ShapeQualitative changes in a player’s body composition. The major difference to growth is that growth is linked to

measureable changes in height, weight and fat percentage, anaerobic endurance, power, speed etc. More

biologically mature players often have the advantage of being bigger, stronger or faster and may therefore be

more immediately successful, which may result in greater coach involvement. These processes may result in

an uneven birth-date distribution in the selection process, which is commonly known as relative age effect

(RAE). Predictive Testing of Size and Shape / Maturation Measurement is thus referring to the association of

biological maturity with the performance characteristics of growing children and adolescents. It is essentially

the prediction of adult stature for the purpose of player development.

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Maturation Measurement: Predictive Testing of Size & Shape

Measurements of maturation are performed at least three times per season for all phases of the development pathway

(PDP, YDP, & FP).

Tests are performed at the following stages of each season:

For U9-U11:

- Pre-season (June/July)

- Mid-season (December/January)

- End-of-season (May)

For U12-U18

- Measured on a monthly basis.

The following measurements are taken in order to provide a predicted maturation profile of each Academy player:

- Body mass

- Standing stature

- Seated stature

- Leg length

From the aforementioned measurements, the following indices of maturation are attained:

- Predicted height

- Peak height velocity

- Age at peak height velocity

- Developmental stage

See PMA:

https://pma.premierleague.com/Sections/Fitness/CustomFitnessTestsSummary.aspx?resultDate=24/05/2017 &

personal files.

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Monitoring of Physical

Exertion

Training & Game IntensityMeasuring a player's physical response to testing, training and matches. Measurement of physical exertion

can be used to signify and influence training intensities, load and recovery which may help prevent injury and

illness.

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Monitoring of Physical Exertion: Training & Game Intensity

Physical exertion is monitored daily for each player within the PDP, measuring training & game

load/intensity.

PDP players’ physical exertion is monitored objectively & subjectively using the following methods:

- GPS (PlayerTek): performance metrics including total distance, high-intensity distance (distance

covered > 18 km.h), sprint distance (distance covered > 25.2 km.h) & top speed.

- Rating of perceived exertion: physical exertion scale, 1-10 (1 = “rest”, 10 = “I’m going to die”). Post-

session / post-game players give a rating between 1 & 10, this is then multiplied by the duration of the

session / game to give a subjective physical “load” for the session / game.

U16s players’ physical exertion will be monitored on game day using:

- GPS (PlayerTek): performance metrics including total distance, high-intensity distance (distance

covered > 18 km.h), sprint distance (distance covered > 25.2 km.h) & top speed.

See PlayerTek website (go.playertek.com) & personal Excel Spreadsheet

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Monitoring of Wellbeing

Readiness to Train

Monitoring each player's mental, lifestyle and physical wellbeing. Mental health, emotional and social well-

being focus on how players act, behave, feel, communicate their feelings and co-exist. The positive mental

health, emotional and social well-being of players have a profound impact upon their physical, cognitive and

football development.

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Monitoring of Wellbeing & Readiness to Train

Player wellbeing & readiness to train is monitored daily in the PDP.

The PDP players’ mental, lifestyle, & physical wellbeing is monitored by:

- Wellness Questionnaire (uploaded onto PMA): players answer a series of questions on a 1-5 scale

before or upon arriving at the Club.

All monitored on department spreadsheet

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Individual Strength &

Conditioning Programme

The physical and physiological development of footballer's fitness components regarding analytic power and

lactate threshold. The role of strength and conditioning (S&C) is to bridge the gap between sport science

theory and applied training; coaching athletes to become faster, stronger and to build their endurance so they

perform better and reduce injury occurrence. The focus is on coaching young footballers to move more

efficiently through loaded exercises and postural and form corrections. As footballers improve in these areas

they should increase their first-step quickness, lateral quickness, explosiveness, deceleration, overall speed

and power.

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Individual Strength & Conditioning Programme

Aerobic, anaerobic, & speed qualities are developed within the coaching programmes, with the

prescription of SSGs, technical delivery with a physical conditioning focus; & warm-up & SAQ delivery.

The physical development of FP players is delivered through the coaching programme & multi-sports, &

movement delivery.

YDP & PDP players’ physical development is delivered through the coaching programmes & with

individual S&C strength & prehabilitation programmes. Individualised S&C strength-based programmes

are designed through a movement continuum assessment (previously described) focussing on five

principle movement patterns.

See personal files & PMA 6/12 week reviews.

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Individual Diet

& Nutrition Programme

Good food choices help ensure needs are met to promote adaptations to training and to aid recovery in order

to continue and intensify training, and to ensure good health to reduce illness and injury occurrence. Food

and water intake and the holistic education of players regarding what they consume, in order to maximise

performance. Personalised nutrition programmes could be prescribed to meet individual needs. This may

include meal-planning and dietary supplements, where appropriate.

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Individual Diet & Nutrition Programme

Player & parent nutritional workshops are delivered once per season for each phase of the development

pathway, offering advice & guidance on basic nutrition.

One-to-one consultations are provided, on request for FP players, & for every player from U14s through to

PDP.

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Individual Development

Plan Schedule

Detailed planned training which results in a wide spectrum of player adaptations to various physiological

systems. The physiological alterations induced by resistance training will be specific to the individual and the

number of sets and repetitions and exercises performed. Special attention is required when developing and

recording outputs and outcomes /adaptations to individual's programmes related to the training and

testing/screening exercises.

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Individual Development Plan Schedule

Physical-specific development is structured within each phase of the development pathway coaching

programmes. In addition, specific physical development sessions are timetabled within the players’ training

hours (field-based) & in addition to the training hours (gym-based).

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Individual Development Plan Schedule

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

PDP Subject-to-change according to match schedule, organic ever-evolving.

YDP

16s & 15s

Pre-training: S&C prog. (strength & power).

In-session: speed training & SSGs

(aerobic/anaerobic)

Pre-training: S&C prog. (strength & power).

In-session: speed training & SSGs

(aerobic/anaerobic)

Pre-training: S&C prog. (strength & power).

14sIn-session: speed training & SSGs

(aerobic/anaerobic)

In-session: speed training & SSGs

(aerobic/anaerobic); post-training: S&C prog. (strength &

power)

Post-training: S&C prog. (speed & power)

13s In-session: speed training & SSGs

(aerobic/anaerobic); post-training: S&C prog. (strength &

power)

In-session: speed training & SSGs

(aerobic/anaerobic)

Pre-training: S&C prog. (strength & power)

FP

12s

In-session: fundamental movements

11s

10s

9s

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Medical Procedures

Implemented procedures in case of accident / injury detailing who is responsible for

First Aid and rehabilitation decisions from time of injury to a phased and completed

return to play.

Fit Player

Injury

Contact made by parent to physio to arrange

appointment

CRJ/KB/SW

Assessment made by Physio

CRJ/KB/SW

Initial Treatment

CRJ/KB/SW

Early Stage Rehabilitation

CRJ/KB/SW

Mid Stage Rehabilitation

CRJ/KB/SW

Late Stage Rehabilitation

CRJ/KB/SW

S & C Coach

Return to training

S & C Coach

Phase Lead/Age Group Coach

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MORNING AFTERNOON EVENING

MondayYouth Team SW (8am-1pm)Academy Doc (9am-10am)

Youth Team SW (3pm-5pm)

Tuesday Youth TeamSW(8am-1pm)

Youth TeamSW (1pm-4:30pm)

Academy & Clinic - FP & YDPCRJ/KB (5pm-9:30pm)

Wednesday Youth TeamSW (8am-12:30pm)

Youth TeamSW (12:30pm-4:30pm)

Thursday Academy & Clinic - FP & YDPCRJ/KB (5pm-9:30pm)

Friday Youth TeamSW (8am-12:30pm)

SaturdayYouth Team FixturesSW (8:30am-1pm)(CRJ to support)Aug-May onlyAcademy FP & YDP ClinicKB (9:30am-1pm)

SundayAcademy FixturesCRJ Home (8:30am-1pm)KB Home (8:30am-1pm)(SW available for cover)Sept-May only

Medical Personnel Timetable

Parents/Guardians can book appointments using the below link:

https://rochdaleafc.setmore.com/