Colorado trips -any value?

[onlooker2]

I think Oldie60 is on the mark. From the articles I have read there are doubtful long term physical benefits although the players essentially hit the ground running in the pre season (not meant as a joke talking abour aerobic capacity). The team orientated stuff like bonding etc would I think get a real boost from a trip like this.

[Armoooo]

The altitude itself doesn't give you any long term benefits, however the training that you are doing is so much more physically demanding that you get more results from the same amount of workload, also the 4-6 week boost that you get means that you can do a better pre-season which is giving you a better base to build from for the rest of the year.

We're only talking 1-2% stuff here but as we all know that can be the difference between a flag and a missed opportunity... personally I don't think it's worth the money unless you're a contender.

Would rather that that money was put towards recruiting to towards establishing a standalone VFL team which IMO are both far more likely to land you a premiership.

[howlinwolf]

I think the physical benefits are very minimal if anything at all.
There is a great benefit though of team bonding from a group of young players and coach that is going to grow together.
That's how strong bonds are formed so it's worthwhile at this stage.
We've been through the ringer of late and while we probably don't need the expense it has value.

[gringo]

Really then why have Collingwood spent millions on altitude facility here in Melbourne .

Stkilda have a small Altitude facility at seaford as do most clubs have within their training facilities

Eg the Olympic swimming teams always do altitude training so would think they can't all be wrong.

Isn't our Altitude room a Jayco with the windows gaffer taped shut with an exercise bike from the 1970s inside. They were going to tow it to Seaford but no one paid the rego and it's still on bricks in the Linton Street carpark from when Westaway forgot to pick up the puncture repair from the Bob Jane's down on Wickham Road. F$#@en profesh outfit mate.

[lloyd21]

Those who aren't convinced about altitude training might take the time to have a chat to a doctor with any knowledge of it. You might change your minds !!

Agree Eastern by the way Collingwood don't need to fly to the USA they have the largest Altitude Training centre in the southern
hemisphere sponsored by Holden at westpac centre.
The facility will allow all their players to train 5100 metre the equiv of Everest base camp all year .
Maybe people should remember when Swan come back from mid season usa camp dominated .

[HitTheBoundary]

We don't need an altitude training centre.
We have the sleeping room!

“I firmly believe sleep is the best form of recovery. We’re working to install sleeping rooms at Linen House Centre to complement the training and recovery programs we already have in place.”
http://www.saints.com.au/news/2013-11-1 ... al-kearney

[plugger66]

Those who aren't convinced about altitude training might take the time to have a chat to a doctor with any knowledge of it. You might change your minds !!

Agree Eastern by the way Collingwood don't need to fly to the USA they have the largest Altitude Training centre in the southern
hemisphere sponsored by Holden at westpac centre.
The facility will allow all their players to train 5100 metre the equiv of Everest base camp all year .
Maybe people should remember when Swan come back from mid season usa camp dominated .

Yep they realised to get full benefit you need to do it all year so they axed the trip. We would be better with 2 extra coaches all year than 2 weeks away.

[HitTheBoundary]

One of the AFL fitness guys was interviewed on SEN a while ago and he was quite sceptical of the altitude training, with one of the big reasons that you get this supposed fitness advantage then come back and have your christmas break and aubsequently lose the edge that you gained.

He also queried the Collingwood setup as it loses the advantages of a trip away (the team bonding) and instead asks players to potentially spend a few weeks inside the altitude centre. I would not imagine Dane Swan would be too keen on spending his summer inside a bubble.

He said that the future may be heat training, which gives advantages and could easily be done in Australia. Interestingly, Port Adelaide are doing that this year.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/p ... 6741612186

Next year we may be in the Sahara instead of Colorado.

[gringo]

One of the AFL fitness guys was interviewed on SEN a while ago and he was quite sceptical of the altitude training, with one of the big reasons that you get this supposed fitness advantage then come back and have your christmas break and aubsequently lose the edge that you gained.

He also queried the Collingwood setup as it loses the advantages of a trip away (the team bonding) and instead asks players to potentially spend a few weeks inside the altitude centre. I would not imagine Dane Swan would be too keen on spending his summer inside a bubble.

He said that the future may be heat training, which gives advantages and could easily be done in Australia. Interestingly, Port Adelaide are doing that this year.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/p ... 6741612186

Next year we may be in the Sahara instead of Colorado.

Or buy an electric radiator for the Jayco and make the players wear 3 wooly jumpers.

[HitTheBoundary]

Next year we may be in the Sahara instead of Colorado.

Or buy an electric radiator for the Jayco and make the players wear 3 wooly jumpers.

Or we just go to the "Little Sahara" on Kangaroo Island.

[Megamaguire]

Tend to agree with eastern on the altitude benefits. The body has to work a lot more efficiently. A sea level oxygen is present @ approx 21% - @ 8000ft. its @ 15%. Another difference recently learned is that around 200 'efficiency' genes get turned on @ altitude. A lot of runners & distance athletes in particular feel that training @ altitude helps them improve.

The gene thing may be harder to quantify reg: benefits but a more efficiently operating body going into pre-season preparation sounds like it would reach many physical targets sooner.

Personally i don't mind the trips to the rockies for the Saints. It is an opportunity for the players and coaches to work together in a different environment for a short period of time. Good bonding doesn't hurt @ all and the physical benefits of training @ altitude as a single group would most probably pay off.

GO SAINTS!

[stevie]

Now we can go to:

Billings, Montagna!

Very cold place. Stayed there one night in April 1997. It was -7, lol.

[Hurricane]

The altitude training is reported to be very beneficial. The camps serve as a great binding experience for the players, and in this case the new coach, and the chance to get out of Melbourne and be virtually anonymous.

I have emailed the club to suggest they visit the University of Oregon up near where I live to see a top notch program at work. I'd be lying if it wasn't for a slightly selfish reason because I simply can't afford to travel to Boulder to watch the boys train. But mostly the chance to see a highly organized, skilled and professional system at work

BANG BANG

[Superboot]

Exercise scientist I work with intermittently reckons there is increasing evidence that any possible benefits are due to placebo effect.

[Megamaguire]

I'd be interested to know the inside story from the medics at a number of clubs that are convinced about benefits from alt - training. I find north an interesting case in that money would be a much bigger issue for them than the financially comfortable coll 'n carl. I just cant imagine north going ( i'm assuming they are going again this year too) to the U.S. on a mere assumption.

Personally l believe training at altitude results in a general all-over health improvement and perhaps some clubs feel they can count on at least a quantified base improvement in health - wouldn't be surprised. Many people have reported a tangible feeling of much improved health after staying awhile at the higher elevations.

There is a town (~8000ft.) in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California that seems to be a training mecca for long-distance runners as well as long distance hikers that come in from all round north america & beyond.
A significant percentage of hikers (from around the globe) hike the 220 mile John Muir Trail (much of it around and above 10,000ft.).
Many people who have completed this scenically incredible hike report a life-changing experience that includes a serious ramping up of their state of health that occurs in amongst some of the most stunning mountain landscapes on the planet.

I believe there are far more positives associated with St.Kilda doing the mountain training than not doing it.

G O S A I N T S !

[Gershwin]

My friend is the Professor of Human Movement at a leading NSW University and he said that unless you are there for at least 6 months, the physical benefits are minimal and wear off in a couple of weeks.
But it would be a pleasant place to train, bond etc.

[HitTheBoundary]

Does anyone know when they leave for Colorado, and which players aren't going?

[saintbrat]

saints leave Tuesday 26th

The Brisbane Lions, Carlton and Gold Coast are heading to Arizona for two weeks this pre-season while Melbourne players Chris Dawes and Mitch Clark will complete part of their program there.

St Kilda, Essendon and Western Bulldogs players will head to Colorado while North Melbourne has flown to Utah.

Port Adelaide has chosen heat over altitude and will train in Dubai.

However, the pioneers of the overseas training trip Collingwood will not travel this year, with the Pies happy to spend time in their own brand-new altitude facility.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The Bombers and the Saints will have their trips financially offset by funds won by the players for taking part in the recent Virgin Australia short film festival.

The Bulldogs have said the 12 players who will train in Colorado will partially pay their own way as part of a player-driven initiative, as will the Power players with their venture to the United Arab Emirates.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-11-20/h ... ow-benefit

More Bombers have gone this year ( because they won the money) last year only the leadership group went.
Bulldogs only a small group going
North already in Utah .
"

The Lions will send their five-year plus players to Arizona – around 25 in all.

They sent a senior group of five players to Arizona in 2011, and then took 15 over last year.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-09-10/b ... ns-packing


query anyone know if Hawks are sending anyone to Kakoda this year- had heard they have begun to send young guys rather than full list..

[saintbrat]

Brisbane, Carlton, Essendon, Gold Coast, North Melbourne, St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs will all send either the entire team or a group of players to the United States.

While Hawthorn is heading to South Africa and will train at a high-altitude facility, the club said altitude wasn’t the reason it chose the location.

Along with Collingwood, Adelaide, Fremantle, Geelong, Greater Western Sydney, Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Sydney and West Coast will stay home

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/c ... 6739824381

[BigMart]

No value

[Enrico_Misso]

No value

Plenty of value!

The value is in terms of team building.
Taking them into an isolated hostile environment for intensive training will certainly help them bond.

And with the free air flights and the corporate/private sponsorships it will cost us no more than if we had gone to Apollo Bay.

[BigMart]

Was it valuable last year?

[thejiggingsaint]

Enrico, I hear what you're saying, regarding: "team-building", but if you want a "hostile, isolated environment" the Overland track from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair provides that! (and is more cost-effective!) In my humble opinion of course!

[saintbrat]

I still like the fantasy of them going to the isle of St kilda and combining it with some environmental work there

[spert]

Maybe the team could do a training run to honour the club's history, and would only require Myki tickets and a hire bus rather than the more expensive Colorado option- more financially responsible..here is my suggested itinerary:

Start the day running at St Kilda beach, then jog to the Junction Oval and do laps, catch the tram to Flinders street station then catch the Frankston line train and get off at Moorabbin. Jog to the Moorabbin ground and do laps, hire a bus and go to the former VFL park Waverley and have a picnic lunch, then bus it to Seaford for some gym work then go to the Seaford hotel for dinner. That should bond the team..what do you think?