Knowledge
Chukka Wellness
India Parker-Smith founded Chukka Wellness – a company dedicated to helping polo players become fitter and stronger athletes. For several years, India worked as a Personal Trainer at one of Chelsea’s premier private members’ clubs and began to train some of the world’s leading sportsmen and women. India trains both international and UK polo professionals focusing not only on functional movements and body maintenance, but also advising clients on fuelling their bodies correctly for mental alertness and physical endurance
The Winning Formula Stay supple, stable & strong in the saddle during the season What is more frustrating than incurring an injury mid-season? Sometimes injuries are unavoidable and unlucky such as a bad fall or a foul play from the opposition. But what players can control is the level of resilience their body has. If muscles are strong, joints are stable, and the body is supple; you are less likely to injure yourself.
Last year we had the honour of training no. 1 female player Nina Clarkin who understands the importance of staying strong and supple to avoid injury and maintain that competitive edge. During her pre-season training, we focused on joint and
muscle stability, functional exercises and of course lots of stretching! These elements all contribute to creating a ‘bulletproof’ body ready for action! Now we completely understand that during a busy season rider wellness can slip down the priority list and workout intensity drops. It is, however, a clever idea to maintain a certain level of fitness and suppleness throughout the season. Here are a few simple and easy tips to follow during the next couple of months in order to bulletproof your body for polo just like Nina.
A mobility routine should form part of your warm-up
Muscle activation is a key part of warming-up
Tip 1: Warm-Up!
Many players don’t realise that performing an effective warm up routine can help prepare them mentally as well as physically. Research has shown that warming up before a game increases competitiveness, focus and clarity. Polo is such a mental game so it is essential to be calm and clear during chukkas. The warm-up is a great time for some last-minute refocusing, relaxing and re-energising. An effective warm up should include: • A Mobility Routine • Activation Exercises • Mental Activation Drills; agility, reaction time, decision making • Some Deep Breathing 62
Polo Times, April 2021
Mental activation drills
www.polotimes.co.uk
