SLC invests in podiatry in order to minimize injuries
With the hope of reducing injuries and improving team performance, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) yesterday revealed that it had consulted a leading Australian Podiatrist Dr. Nicolas Sprenger.
As a former Olympic swimming medallist and elite athlete, Sprenger is one of Gold Coast’s most respected Podiatrists who practices in all aspects of foot and ankle care.
Customised orthotics have been manufactured for each individual player, according to their requirements. Sprenger has taken his time in assessing each player in separate sessions to come up with the best possible solution. Customized Orthotics would come in two variants, one for running shoes and another for cricket shoes, thus helping the player gain the maximum advantage of the initiative. Reducing the number of injuries caused would be the main objective of this program, as an unusually high number of injuries among the players have been reported.
Sport podiatry, a subspecialty of podiatric medicine, involves the expertise in diagnosis of foot and lower limb problems as well as treatments such as joint mobilisation, advanced biomechanical assessments, soft-tissue manipulation and trigger point therapy, advanced functional orthotic therapy, exercise rehabilitation, exercise prescription [strength and conditioning] of the lower extremities and footwear prescription for the professional, elite, amateur and young athletes. Sports podiatry covers foot and lower limb chronic overuse injuries & mechanical performance enhancement to minimise injury and to maximise efficiency.
SLC CEO Ashley de Silva said the cost this initial investment would be footed by SLC.
“Nic came about one month ago, just before the team departed for the Champions Trophy and he took the measurements of the players, and went back and made (the orthotics) and brought them back to Sri Lanka. The cost of this has been undertaken by Sri Lanka Cricket, and it is order to avoid and prevent injuries that will occur to the players,” SLC CEO Ashley de Silva said.
“This was something that was initiated when Mr. (Thilanga) Sumathipala was president (in 1999). It was something that he had in mind and after consulting some of the senior players, who were doing this at their own cost, he suggested we provide this to all the contracted players, and the players who have also toured with the national team which can be used for a year or two after that they will have to invest in it.”
Sprenger is expected to travel to Galle today to join with the team in view of enhancing the team’s performance ahead of the Zimbabwe ODI and Test series.