Following a welcome address from AFC Technical Director Andy Roxburgh, the programme delved into an in-depth study of the critical role of fitness coaches in not just enhancing player performance but also preventing injuries and optimising recovery.

 

In a key highlight, UEFA Fitness for Football Advisor Paul Balsom shared valuable insights on the UEFA Coaching Convention and how the Confederation integrates football fitness within the overall core and specialised coaching diploma frameworks to improve performance in the men’s and women’s game through a focus on player health, fitness, and well-being.

 

Balsom, who has held several roles in performance enhancement across Continents, including with Premier League side Leicester City FC, the Swedish Football Association, and Club Tigres in Mexico, also highlighted the key tenets of the UEFA Fitness Programme, which acts as a guide for national associations in designing and delivering the fitness content of coach education programmes.

This included an emphasis on a strong understanding of concepts such as the physical demands of different positions and roles, the impact on the body from different styles of play, as well as the effect of physical load due to various formats of training and matches.

 

The second half of the programme focused on emerging trends in football fitness at the highest level, ranging from greater high-speed intensity to managing increased physical load amid congested fixtures.

 

The expert also offered a comprehensive overview of the integration of technology and advancements being made in sports science, touching upon topics such as data analysis, performance tracking devices, as well as the growing role of artificial intelligence in predicting player readiness and injury risk.

 

Following the intriguing presentations, participants engaged in interactive Q&A sessions, providing a valuable platform for the exchange of regional perspectives and practical approaches in applying global best practices within local contexts.