Skill-based fitness has taken a hit for sure: Former Team India trainer R Srinivasan

Former Indian cricket team trainer Ramji Srinivasan believes that fitness for the best athletes is a “waste of time” if it’s not transferred into “top-class performance” which is not possible during a nationwide lockdown in the trail of COVID-19.

“Fitness per se in sports is a waste of time if there is no transfer taking place on to the field to give out top class performance. Positive transfer from one to another is the key to fitness,” Ramji told PTI during an interaction.

“A person can do an Olympic lift of 100 kgs at this stage, but he or she is not guaranteed to be injury-free or increase in performance unless there is transfer. Bowlers do take a hit during this phase for sure. Batters not much,” he added.

During the interaction, Ramji also said, “Fitness per se in sports is a waste of time if there is no transfer taking place on to the field to give out top class performance. Positive transfer from one to another is the key to fitness.”

“A person can do an Olympic lift of 100 kgs at this stage, but he or she is not guaranteed to be injury-free or increase in performance unless there is transfer. Bowlers do take a hit during this phase for sure. Batters not much,” he added.

In a reply asked if long breaks can be difficult for bowlers, he said, “Oh yes for sure. Bowling is all about rhythm and skill-based fitness. There has to be a transfer from one to another. Just because someone is doing 150 kg deadlift now need not bowl quick or effectively once the match starts soon. Skill-based fitness has taken a hit for sure. More time on the nets more muscle memory is my take on it.”

During the pandemic, all the sporting activities have come to a halt, Srinivasan who was a privileged coach of the 2011 World Cup-winning side said it is a testing time for sportspersons to keep themselves fit with different methods.

“This is a testing time for them to work on both mentally and physically to reach the desired goal before tournaments start. Since skillset practice is out of the question, what they need is to focus on fitness which is one of the key elements in performance and excellence,” he said.

Srinivasan who is presently working with paddlers A Sharath Kamal and G Sathiyan felt that mental suffering will likely to happen for sportsperson and said, “This is the time where they can focus on varied aspects of mental conditioning and physical conditioning to solve the jigsaw puzzle…”

While asked what his advice to sportspersons at this time, he told its is important for them to stay positive and think new ways to work on their weaknesses and work on them.

“Stay positive and think out of the box to work out on the weaknesses and iron out the problems area. Now is the time to do it. Allocate time for a specific activity and work on it. It’s a double-edged sword. It depends on how one uses it. Consult a professional in using online apps or platforms. Something is better than nothing.” he said.

“This technology was not available 10 years back, Since technology is available now, making use of it is prudent. Online training has become the in-thing now and in future it will hold good for all seasons,” he signed off.