Four sports cases revealed the extent of physical, technical and psychological damage left by the domestic isolation of players as a result of the global ban imposed by the outbreak of the Corona Virus (Covid 19), since last March, preceded by two deaths that trapped the sports community.
The home training resulted in the death of Lokomotiv Moscow player, Inukente Samokvalov, from a heart attack, while Tunisian international wrestler Ahmed Zawahria died when he decided to break the training routine by swimming, and he drowned in a lake next to his house. And, the Egyptian Border Guard team defender, Mustafa Al-Zanari, was severely injured in the cruciate ligament.
The four cases sparked widespread controversy, especially since at the time of Corona, the player became the primary responsible for his physical condition and not technical equipment, but the departments of major clubs, such as Bayern Munich, imposed themselves at an early time, and allocated fitness coaches and nutritionists to prepare weekly programs and exercises Individual and explain them to the system of video communication "remotely", in order to avoid exposure to injuries, and to preserve their weights in preparation for the issuance of any decision to return the activity.
"Home training, especially running inside the home, may lead to many injuries, including tendinitis, tear cartilage and muscle fibers," sports orthopedic specialist Dr. Hernan Silvan told Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.
He explained that «players who are not accustomed to running for four, five and even six days a week can be more harmful to them, but at the same time correct training is necessary at home to maintain mental health as well because it produces the happiness hormone that maintains morale during the period of home isolation».
On the Arab level, the scene appears to be more complicated compared to professional mental differences, different training methods and the culture of most players in individual exercises and taking responsibility without administrative control. The consultant in orthopedics and sports medicine, Chairman of the Medical Committee of the Saudi Football Association, Dr. Saleh Al-Harthy, advises the players in a statement to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, saying: “Sleeping hours should be regular from 6-8 hours during the night, and proper nutrition that contains protein And vitamins and minerals, and maintaining physical fitness between 60 to 70%, which we call cardiovascular fitness (effort fitness), in addition to attention to exercises of flexibility and muscle strength, and the range of movement of the joints ». He explained: «When the player maintains these matters, he will be in the best condition, and the rate of his injury will be eliminated», asking the players to “be careful not to spend more than 24 hours in a negative comfort.”
With the players losing the joy of feeling the football or their games that they play and the mass appeal is absent from them, and the routine of his daily tasks changes from outdoor training to meet his fans, a psychological burden is formed on him. "Focusing on returning to the field is not the best way to deal with an endless crisis on the horizon ... For players, this will add to more anxiety," says Dr. Peter Olosuga, senior lecturer in psychology at Sheffield Hallam University, to CNN in Arabic. He pointed out that «there is a natural trend about thinking about the future, and concern about whether the player will be physically ready to return, and if he will retain the talent and the strength of performance».
In turn, the Wimbledon fitness coach, William Rose, commented to the British newspaper "Daily Mail": "Not only do players have to learn to train themselves, but they have to think about nutrition, and in some cases, learn to cook."
He added: «When they tell you that you have to stay at home, while you are an athlete used to running for 30 km per week, it becomes very frightening, you manage them from a physical point of view to prepare to play again, but you also motivate them mentally to make sure that they will not go crazy.» .
Hernan Silvan:
"Players who are not used to running for four, five and even six days a week can do more harm to them."
Saleh Al-Harthi:
"Cardiac fitness (effort fitness) must be maintained, attention to flexibility exercises, muscle strength, and kinetic range of joints."
William Rose:
“When they tell you that you have to stay home, while you are an athlete used to running 30 km a week, it becomes very scary.”