Huddersfield Town players will be ready to hit the ground running when they return for pre-season training on July 1.
So says Al Stewart, the club’s head of sports science, who has set up individual schedules for each player to follow during their time away.
Stewart says modern-day players take more responsibility for their own fitness.
“They are well on with their programmes,” he explained.
“I think the game has changed a lot; players now are really taking charge of their own fitness levels and realise it’s the difference for them between the level they play at, their performance and their injury status.
“They are taking it seriously and some of them have personal trainers to get them through their programmes.
“We’re looking forward to a positive start in pre-season that will take us into the campaign.”
Player’s programmes focus on three key areas – running, strength and nutrition.
They reflect the number of games played and fitness levels last season.
“The off-season schedules are more important to some than others,” added Stewart.
“It’s vital for those players who have had limited game time or injuries in the season, particularly towards the end of the campaign, to use it as an opportunity to catch up.
“For those players who have played the majority of games and been fit throughout the season, it’s an opportunity to maintain their fitness levels and try to avoid too much of a decrease.
“We used GPS during training every day, as well as the data from games. We use it across the whole season, but more over the last eight weeks to establish how much work they should do in the close-season.”
While their work carries on, Stewart says it’s also important for the players to take a break.
“It’s important they get their rest and recovery and have some family time, as much psychologically as anything else,” he said.
“They need to take some time away and recharge mentally.”
Once back at PPG Canalside next month, there will be three or four days of fitness work, depending on test results, before the footballs come out.
Pre-season will feature an overseas training camp.
Four friendlies have so far been confirmed, at Guiseley on Saturday, July 11, Grimsby Town on Tuesday 21, Rochdale on Saturday 25 and Barnsley on Saturday, August 1.
The Championship campaign gets under way on August 8, with fixtures revealed on June 17.
