As you know, Paul Baysse and Rio Mavuba have taken back a license to help out and make up the numbers, hoping that this situation does not continue, at 36 and 40 years old respectively. So, after so much time off competition, will their body simply be able to keep up? On Eurosport, the physical trainer Fabien Richardauthor of the book ‘Behind the scenes of footballers’ success’, gives his opinion.
“It seems complicated but I really wish them success. We did the Paris Games marathon with Rio. He was a player with a very high VMA (maximum aerobic speed) and who was always in the top during tests. On this kind of effort, there is no problem. Afterwards the question will really concern the repetition of intensive efforts. Physically, it is not won especially after having stopped for four years”.
Then, it was the turn of the former ESTAC playmaker, Benjamin Nivetto give your feelings.
“We lose rhythm very, very quickly, it’s incredible. I had trouble finishing matches. Sometimes I ended up with cramps. However, I had not gained weight and I was still physically active. In football, the physical and athletic specificities are still different from other sports. Then during a career, you make a lot of sacrifices to stay on top and once you stop, you enjoy the things in life. Afterwards, to really get back into rhythm, it takes time.”
