Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Leeds United stars put to the test at Carnegie School of Sport
Star players including Stuart Dallas, Patrick Bamford, Raphinha, Rodrigo, and also new signing Amari Miller have been put through their paces by the expert team at the £45 million hi-tech facility in Headingley.
Players were comprehensively tested over two days, with testing broken down into health and medical screening, and then physical performance profiling.
Initial health screening is to ensure players have returned for pre-season training fit and well and includes cardiac, musculoskeletal movement and asthma screening as well as blood analysis. The performance screening includes assessment of aerobic capacity, strength, power and change-of-direction ability.
Stuart Dallas, who has just penned a new three-year contract with the Whites, said:
“It’s been a great experience coming here to the new building; the facilities are incredible. We’re used to doing testing at the training ground but nothing quite like this and for us it’s really good and gives us results we wouldn’t have got otherwise.
“We’ve got everything we need here. As well as the top of the range testing facilities there’s the running track right there for us to use too, it’s been brilliant.”
As well as assessing where players are now, the information gleaned will be a powerful tool in helping to deal with any injuries picked up through the season. The results of these tests will allow CSS staff to support the club’s medical team during the rehab process using the baseline data to inform the return to play programme.
Victor Orta, Leeds United Director of Football said:
“To be competitive at the highest level of any sport, athletes need to be at their maximum fitness and our partnership with Leeds Beckett University gives our medical and performance departments the opportunity to test all of our players attributes which ultimately enables them reach their very best.
“Physically Marcelo Bielsa is renowned for demanding more from his players than any coach in world football and this partnership is a vital part of that process."
CSS provides a range of sports performance support to Leeds United which sees LBU academics and students work closely with the first team, the girls' and boys' academies and the commercial services department.
The wider partnership between with the club includes a range of initiatives, from supporting footballers at the top of their profession, right through to community participation programmes like the Leeds United Foundation.
Dean of Carnegie School of Sport Pete Mackreth said:
“It’s a privilege to see our staff and students working alongside Leeds United’s medical staff to support the team’s preparation for the season. We have a long-standing partnership with the club, which is strengthened by both staff and students being embedded in the academy and first team at the Thorp Arch training ground.
"I’m delighted that we can open the doors of our new Carnegie School of Sport Building to share our facilities, equipment and expertise with the players and staff of the club, which will then further enhance our teaching and research.”
These collaborations are further enhanced by broader student engagement activities through authentic assessments, guest lectures, placements and internships across the club, supporting a rich student experience and ensuring the research conducted by staff has a true impact on high performance sport.