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Stretch hard to stay fit

Photo: T. Saravanan

Hard task Working to shed flab

I was more than convinced to take on a new fitness regime when I heard district hockey coach, A. Murugan, talk of improving ‘motor’ qualities.

Next day, I am at his coaching camp for beginners at the Race Course Stadium. “Be it an athlete or a non-sportsperson, fitness is a must for all to lead a healthy life. Our routines too concentrate on improving fitness levels and then focus on skill development. Especially, in a game of hockey where endurance and speed play a major role, every player is expected to be in supreme fitness to emerge successful,” he impresses.

Wasting no time, I join the group of youngsters for a series of warm up routines and start with stretching exercises. It is quite a different experience. I pull my head forward with both hands and count up to 10. Then, I lift both hands and pull the left hand to the other side using the right hand and vice versa.

Followed by hip rotation and to tone the hamstring muscle, next I am asked to bend down and touch the feet. Then, gradually I bend my knee and stretch. “Warm up exercise is similar in all the games as it primarily prepares the player for the harder times ahead. It relaxes the muscles and makes a sportsperson fit for the game. Hence, we follow this regime before the start of play. It actually minimises injury to players,” briefs the coach.

I move my front leg forward and stretch it to the maximum feeling the stress on my calf muscles. Then I jog for 10 minutes before taking on the general exercises for strengthening the abdominal and shoulder muscles.

“Agility, flexibility, strength, speed and endurance are like five fingers of a hand, each important to achieve the desired fitness levels. We generally ask our trainees to undergo acceleration test where in we make them sprint for 30 metres and then relax. We also ask them to go through circuit training,” Mr. Murugan explains and calls all the trainees for a round of swing exercises.

I swing my hands with force and the same is repeated with the legs. Then the coach asks us to move briskly touching the cones neatly arranged on the ground in a line. “This routine helps to improve reflexes. As you move around the cones, you will realise how active you are. This helps the players on the field when they are trying to stop the rival’s forays,” he explains.

The 45-minute workout was all over in a jiffy and playfully. I did enjoy the session but next morning my body pleaded for extra time to be on the bed. I guess I need to be more regular on the field.

For more information dial 9443929707 or 9790716566 for Mr. Murugan.

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