The preparation of US Sassuolo Calcio has begun. Last week football players underwent medical examinations at Mapei Sport Research Center in Olgiate Olona (VA) and yesterday morning at the synthetic field of Fiorano Modenese supported the traditional athletic tests.

Ermanno Rampinini, Manager of the Human Performance Lab (HPL) of Mapei Sport, tells us about the work done at the training camp: «The athlete’s assessment tests are the same as in the previous years, this aspect allows us to have continuity in the monitoring of players, greatly increasing the effectiveness of our support. The test battery is specially designed to monitor the most important physiological qualities of football. After determining the percentage of body fat using the plicometry, the Mognoni test was performed to verify the functionality of the aerobic mechanism in addition to the High Intensity Intermittent Test (HIT), evaluation useful to verify the ability of the players to support a intermittent high intensity work (a fundamental feature for football players) from a metabolic point of view. In addition, the strength and power of the lower limbs were measured by a jump test performed on a dynamometric platform and finally quantified the ability of the players to muscularly support an exercise of intense and repeated directional changes by determining the peripheral neuromuscular function of the legs. The same ratings will be repeated several times a year to constantly monitor the athletic condition of players during the competitive season». The summer preparation is organized in three tranches of work: a first start-up phase that will be held in Sassuolo for a few days, a second one that will engage the players in the retirement of Vipiteno and finally a third near the beginning of the official commitments, again in Sassuolo. «One of the most interesting aspects of when assessing athletes is the ability to identify the qualities and potentials of each individual. Often, the older players are surprised by their great ability to preserve their great physical qualities over time, despite years passes, thanks to a meticulous daily work that is not suspended even during the summer holidays. For young people, it is as if they were at the “first day of school”: they start a targeted path to increase their awareness and training in all aspects. Obviously, the development of physical qualities is one of the aspects to be taken with the goal, we hope, that they can become more and more good players» continues Rampinini, who in the structure led by Dr. Claudio Pecci carries out consultancy high-level Italian and European football teams and Alpine skiing teams. The football field gave great news, including a new coach. «The approach with Cristian Bucchi and his staff has certainly been positive, since the first talks, the great preparation and willingness to work, as well as its great availability and collaboration, immediately became apparent. Mystery requests have been precise and punctual and his ambitions coincide with those of Sassuolo Calcio and our patron Giorgio Squinzi: do good and always improve. ” continues Rampinini, who in the structure led by Dr. Claudio Pecci carries out consultancy high-level Italian and European football teams and Alpine skiing teams. The football field gave great news, including a new puzzle. “The approach with Cristian Bucchi and his staff has certainly been positive, since the first talks, the great preparation and willingness to work together, as well as its great availability and collaboration, immediately became apparent. Mister Bucchi requests have been precise and punctual and his ambitions coincide with those of Sassuolo Calcio and our patron Giorgio Squinzi: do good and always improve».