How long for 'Dad's Army'?

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This week our ProSport expert looks at how age affects players and why the likes of Neil Back, Jason Leonard, Martin Johnson (pictured, right) and Dorian West are still playing the best rugby of their careers.

A lot was made about the age of England's squad (mainly by the Australians!) going into the 2003 Rugby World Cup, however, experience and skill meant that they were triumphant; but just how long can these guys carry on playing? Skipper Martin Johnson has vowed at 34 that he will not play in two years time for the Lions, but has not ruled out the 2004 RBS Six Nations. Likewise, Neil Back (34) and Jason Leonard (35) have not mentioned retirement. Are these groups of players' super-human or super-fit and if so how can you prolong your career whatever level of rugby you play?

How long a rugby career will last will depend on a number of factors. Some of these factors can be modified and planned for during one's playing career in order to increase the number of playing years. The most important factor to consider in relation to length of career is the standard of rugby being played. An amateur rugby player's career length will largely be dependent on time factors and physical fitness levels. Some rugby careers can last into the 50s at this level, as the playing intensity will be quite low. A modern professional will often play for about 10 years at the top level and retire completely from the game. The decision to stop playing will often be made in relation to increasing pressure to devote time to families, loss of form or desire, being dropped from a squad at the highest level or due to injury or burnout.

The annual schedule of matches is something that needs to be balanced appropriately by administrators. While players have to earn their money by playing, it is crucial that players are not overplayed in order to satisfy corporate interests. The danger here is with the playing seasons being lengthened, the traditional off and pre-seasons are shortened. This reduces player's abilities to adequately rehabilitate injuries and to work on increasing the essential rugby fitness components.

Some of the injuries sustained during the playing season will be the result of having played too many games. One option to reduce the number of games may be to follow the football model of having a squad to rotate players in order to keep them fresh.

Players, themselves, can prolong their careers by looking after themselves during each season. This may include being honest about injuries and ensuring to adequately rehabilitate injuries rather than rushing back before being ready. Having an injury-free season should mean that the off-season can be best utilised for having a relative rest from the game. This will allow players to feel fresh for the forthcoming season and increase the playing life.

With the increasing demands placed on the professional rugby player, planning for retirement should also be a consideration.  Adjustments should be made to dietary intake, as the demands for energy will lessen as the training volumes decrease. Players should also endeavour to maintain some basic fitness levels with particular emphasis on maintaining muscle mass as a means of protecting the joints and preventing lower limb osteoarthritis - this will also help to control body fat levels. Cardiovascular fitness should also be maintained, as the increases gained during playing-life will be reversible in retirement. Flexibility should also be maintained during retirement.

All good things have to come to an end eventually, and it is to their individual credit and that of the people around them that some players like Jason Leonard (35) and Dorian West (36) have played for so long and to such a high standard. It is when these high standards cannot be maintained and/or when injuries mount up that a player has to consider changing the level he is playing at or give up the sport altogether. Hopefully, there's a few years left for our England boys - how many though is anybody's guess.

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