EXCLUSIVE: Fabio's Air Force! Altitude tests begin in bid to avoid 2010 misery

02 December 2009 12:39
Fabio Capello is a coach capable of taking your breath away. But in order to ensure the same fate doesn't befall his England team on their World Cup journey across South Africa, his players are already working on coping with the demands of performing at altitude.[LNB]It is a challenge they may face at six of the 10 World Cup stadiums, so Capello and his team at the Football Association are doing everything they can to prepare for the challenge ahead.[LNB]Sportsmail has learned that individual tests on Capello's players have already started, with England's coaching and medical staff identifying which of the squad suffer most under the effects of altitude.[LNB] Testing times: England coach Fabio Capello has introduced altitude assessments to help him determine who is fit to join his 23-man World Cup party next year[LNB]It has nothing to do with fitness or strength, as Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich discovered when he tried to climb Kilimanjaro. Cheryl Cole did not have a problem but the Russian billionaire who pays her husband's wages suffered the ignominy of being air-lifted by helicopter off the mountain.[LNB]  Spy hard: Capello embarks on trip to run the rule over World Cup rivalsEXCLUSIVE: James sends promise to Capello - I will be just fine for World CupJamie Redknapp's weekend watch: Let's not go nuts over defeat to BrazilGARY LINEKER: Qatar was a night for the England stars to miss Even athletes in top condition could have difficulties in the highest of South Africa's stadiums which sit thousands of feet above sea level. The thin air will affect athleticperformance if England's players, indeed those from any of the 32 competing countries, are not properly prepared.[LNB]Enlisting the help of The Altitude Centre in London a company consideredthe leaders in their field and the same team of experts who assisted the Lions before their rugby tour of South Africa last year players have been subjected to altitude testing while on international duty.[LNB]Enlarge This involves sitting on an exercise bike wearing a mask that, in turn, is connected to a machine that filters the air and reduces the amount of oxygen the players can breathe in.[LNB]Pedalling on the bike with the same power output, players aremeasured first at sea level and then at the altitude of Johannesburg artificially set by the machine to see how the body responds.[LNB]Akey measurement concerns the heart rate of the players. Some will see asignificant rise that, in match conditions, could lead to problems withpremature fatigue.[LNB]There is psychological testing, too,because some players will experience mental fatigue that can lead to aslowing of reaction times and a problem with decision making.  Allpretty important stuff on a football pitch during a crunch match.[LNB]Ifit's a close call between two fringe players when Capello comes topicking his final squad of 23, the results of the tests could yetinfluence his decision.[LNB] But insiders at the FA insist the tests are not being used as a selection tool and they are instead designed to establish which players 'need a bit more help' in preparing for the World Cup.[LNB]Brian Smith, a former British Olympic cyclist and one-time professional team-mate of Lance Armstrong, says the FA should consider supplying the England players with altitude tents that they can sleep in at home prior to heading to their probable base in South Africa, a hotel in Rustenburg that stands at 4,921ft.[LNB] Enlarge 'England, like all the teams going to the World Cup, are not going to be able to prepare for the altitude in the way a Tour de France rider might because they won't get enough time before the tournament in South Africa,' said Smith.[LNB]'The club seasons end too late and it means that the players might not get out there much more than a week before the World Cup starts.[LNB]'But you don't actually have to train at altitude. Sleeping at altitude can prepare the body just as effectively and the use of these tents in their homes might be something that works for them.' [LNB]Smith is right. Australia's players will be using them in preparation for the finals, starting three months before the tournament gets under way, and England's players and their partners might just want to give it a try, too, when they learn of the many advantages the tents can provide.[LNB] Avoid repeat: Diego Maradona gives England the run-around in Mexico City in 1986 (above), while Bobby Charlton and Co also suffered in Leon in 1970 (below)[LNB] As well as enabling them to run and run at the World Cup, the tents can enhance sexual performance too.[LNB]Nitric oxide, which is the active ingredient in Viagra, is generated naturally in response to the thinner air and so enables the body to use oxygen more effectively.[LNB]It's so good, apparently, that Hugh Hefner is said to have spent the best part of £60,000 having one installed at the Playboy Mansion.[LNB]  Manchester City's Craig Bellamy is among a number of players who have had a state-of-the-art altitude chamber installed at their homes. It not only improves fitness levels but can also be used in maintaining fitness while recovering from injury. Liverpool have one at their Melwood training ground.[LNB]When tests have been collated for all of the England players by the FA's team of experts, Capello might just be asking his employers to make an investment.[LNB]  Spy hard: Capello embarks on trip to run the rule over World Cup rivalsEXCLUSIVE: James sends promise to Capello - I will be just fine for World CupJamie Redknapp's weekend watch: Let's not go nuts over defeat to BrazilGARY LINEKER: Qatar was a night for the England stars to miss [LNB]  Explore more:People:Fabio Capello, Hugh Hefner, Brian Smith, Diego Maradona, Cheryl Cole, Roman Abramovich, Lance Armstrong, CRAIG BELLAMYPlaces:Liverpool, London, Mexico City, South Africa, France, United Kingdom, AustraliaOrganisations:Football Association

Source: Daily_Mail