Partick Thistle kick off pre-season fitness checks at UWS

ABOVE: Partick Thistle midfielder Stuart Bannigan

Partick Thistle players kicked off their pre-season preparations with comprehensive fitness tests at University of the West of Scotland.

Scheduled over two days in the Lanarkshire campus’ state-of-the-art sports facilities, 21 players worked with academics and students to prepare for the upcoming season.

During their pre-season stint, players underwent a series of advanced physiological tests, including:

• Heart Rate Monitoring: Resting measures and continuous heart rate monitoring during maximal test to assess cardiovascular health and performance under various conditions.
• VO₂max Testing: Measurement of maximum oxygen uptake to gauge aerobic (endurance) fitness levels.
• Jump Testing: Assessment of lower limb power and reactive strength to measure power output.
• Body Composition Analysis: Detailed analysis of body fat percentage, muscle mass, and hydration levels to ensure optimal fitness and health.

Undergraduate and post-graduate students played a pivotal role in conducting these fitness tests, providing them with an invaluable opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in sports science to real-world scenarios. This hands-on experience not only enhances their educational journey but also underscores UWS's commitment to integrating academic learning with practical application.

Speaking of the importance of testing to both players and students, Lecturer in Sports Performance at UWS, Dr Mykolas Kavaliauskas said: “UWS is dedicated to delivering exceptional educational experiences that prepare our students for successful careers. Collaborating with Partick Thistle FC allows our students to engage directly with professional athletes, applying advanced fitness testing techniques in a dynamic and practical environment.

"The data collected from these tests will be instrumental in creating tailored training programmes for each player, optimising performance, and minimising the risk of injury.”

Nicole Watson, a fourth-year sport and exercise science student involved in the testing, shared her excitement: “Working with Partick Thistle has been an incredible experience.

“It’s one thing to learn about these tests in the classroom, but to conduct them on professional athletes is amazing. It’s a real-world application of everything we’ve studied, and it’s preparing us for our future careers in sports science.”

The fitness tests conducted during these two days are designed to give a thorough assessment of the players’ physical condition. Cardiovascular fitness tests measure maximal aerobic capacity, jump tests evaluate muscle power, whereas anthropometric tests measure body composition. These assessments are vital for developing individual training programmes that enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury.

For Partick Thistle FC, this initiative is equally beneficial. "Partnering with UWS for our pre-season fitness checks provides us access to state-of-the-art technology and expertise, ensuring our players are in peak condition," said Ben Tooley, Head of Sports Science at Partick Thistle.

"We are delighted to support the educational development of UWS students, contributing to their future success."

UWS is dedicated to delivering exceptional educational experiences that prepare our students for successful careers. Working with Partick Thistle allows our students to engage directly with professional athletes while applying advanced fitness testing techniques in a dynamic and practical environment.

By integrating sports science research and education with professional athletic performance, this collaboration has the potential to enhance the training and performance outcomes for the team, while also enriching the educational experiences of UWS students.