Australian Kangaroos go hi-tech to gain Four Nations edge
The Kangaroos believe they can get an advantage over their Four Nations rivals after adopting a state-of-the-art sweat testing system to improve player hydration.
THE Kangaroos are using a cutting-edge sweat test during the Four Nations in a bid to stamp out cramps and individualise the players’ hydration programs.
The players’ sweat was tested at the team’s $170 million training base in St George’s Park in the lead-up to the clash with Scotland in Hull on Saturday. The 20-minute test yielded some surprise results.
While sweat testing has been a constant among elite programs for several years, it is the method of this technology which is new to Australian teams.
Kangaroos elite performance manager Troy Thomson expects it to “take off in Australia” in the next couple of years.
WHIZ KID: Why Ponga must shun rivals
TEST FOOTY: ‘People have lost the appetite for violence’
“It’s quite a novel approach to collecting sweat,” he said. “In the past we have measured the sweat during a training session. The guys have had to go out and physically perform during a training session or on a treadmill and we collect the sweat so we can look at the content of the sweat and how much sodium they are losing and how fast they are sweating. It is quite a lengthy process.
“It requires labs whereas this method is relatively new.”
An electrode is run through the players’ skin, inducing sweat in a small area. Thomson said the non-intrusiveness of the tests allowed players to “buy into it more”.
“We can look at guys who have a high sodium content,” Thomson said. “Then we can replace that prior to and during games. Quite often it correlates with guys getting cramps.
“We know the guys who struggle to stay hydrated. Not surprisingly they had high sodium content in their sweats. It explained a couple of the results they’ve been getting. We can tailor their needs to the specific condition.”
PODCAST: Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga sits down with The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis to discuss Australia’s Four Nations preparations.
The company, Precision Hydration, has worked with NFL, Major League Baseball and English Premier League teams. Jonny Tye, who undertook the tests on the Kangaroos, said teams needed to individualise programs to improve performance.
“Not many use different strengths of drinks for the players,” Tye said. “They use a one size fits all. Generally across most sports that’s what is currently implemented.
“We offer something a bit different. We individualise their requirements and drinks to suit.”
The Kangaroos travelled to Hull on Thursday in preparation to play Scotland.
Originally published as Australian Kangaroos go hi-tech to gain Four Nations edge
SuperCoach trials wrap: Top bargains flop, injuries hit
The Roosters were meant to be a hot-bed of SuperCoach talent but their bargains flopped, while injuries also had a big say in the final week of the Pre-Season Challenge.
Injury added to insult for Storm as NQ rookie guides Cowboys to win
Melbourne Storm are sweating on scan results from two key players while the North Queensland Cowboys head into round one full of confidence and with a boom rookie calling the shots.