Senior-Training and Lifestyle

Fitness

The understanding of the physical fitness requirements of Gaelic games has changed dramatically over the last 15 years. Both Hurling and Gaelic football are games that require players to perform repeated short quick movements, moving in multiple directions and from a variety of starting positions, with varying amounts of recovery.  This guide is presented as a service to athletes, coaches, parents and exercise physiologists, who wish to evaluate their own or someone else's fitness level, or to gain a greater understanding of tests that they have performed.

Guidelines for Safe Exercise

Exercising safely is important for avoiding injury. When exercising, it is important to focus on what you are trying to do. For example, is exercise part of the warm-up, a conditioning activity or part of the recovery? In essence, what you are trying to do should be dependent on why you are trying to do it.

Burnout

Burnout occurs where people who have previously been highly committed to a sport lose interest and motivation. Typically it will occur in hard working, hard training, hard driven people, who become emotionally, psychologically or physically exhausted.

Recovery from Exercise

The importance of adequate recovery from training and games cannot be over emphasised. Building periods for recovery into a training programme is as important as incorporating proper progression.

Nutrition

Making the right nutrition choices results in athletes with happier, healthier, longer, and more successful careers.  Gaelic footballers that successfully match energy and nutrient needs with difficult training schedules are adequately equipped to stay on top of their game.

Hydration

Performance may be impaired in some players who are dehydrated before a training session or game, or who drink nothing or little during exercise. Check out the page on ‘Hydration’ in our Player Welfare Booklet for tips on satisfying your fluid requirements at all times and especially during warm weather.

Alcohol and Sports Performance

Alcohol can have a number of different effects on a person’s ability to train and play Gaelic games.  To learn about the effects of alcohol on sporting performance, visit - http://www.gaa.ie/medical-and-player-welfare/fitness/alcohol-and-sports-performance/

Important Links

Fitness Testing Guide

Guidelines for Safe Exercise

Player Burnout Information Sheet

Recovery from Exercise Information Sheet

Nutrition Section

Player Welfare Booklet