Eccentric but not over the top

A group of sports professionals plan to launch a voluntary fitness testing initiative at this year's Rugby Sevens to raise public health awareness.

Welcare Hospital specialist in sports medicine Dr John George has worked with doctors in South Africa and the UK, as well as local fitness consultants, to develop Sports Fit, a none-profit organisation promoting the importance of medical-based training.

The company will offer free fitness consultations and eccentric training programmes for sportsmen in the UAE. The first testing station will be pitched at the Rugby Sevens opening event from October 27-29, in Dubai, and is open to the public.

George, who has been involved in rugby training for the last four years, said: "We believe in eccentric training for any sport. The method involves training whilst you're stood up and your muscles are lengthened. Other forms of resistance training can put stress on your joints."

"Our first portable fitness booth at the Rugby Sevens will have four stations, including cardiovascular, basic assessment, eccentric training and proprioreceptive training," said George.

"We're also launching a new form of bike, called Grucox, which is based on eccentric training.

"The bike is designed by doctors and biomechanics especially for eccentric training. Users can record the tug force, speed and resistance during the workout," he revealed.

The company is working to establish sponsors for the initiative and hopes to eventually offer fitness consultations and eccentric training to sports teams, including rugby, tennis and cricket and to the public.

Regional sales and marketing manager at Global Retail Company Huda Dogan, who is volunteering as a fitness consultant for the initiative, said: "Dubai's a fresh market and we need to raise health awareness to educate people in the importance of fitness.

"This is a voluntary project to promote fitness and so we're looking to try and get some sponsors on board, such as Technogym, Fitness First and Virgin Active," she added.

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