Three Training Blocks Ahead in Minsk as Dragons Complete Physical Testing

Following medical examinations, Shanghai Dragons players completed a series of physical assessments both in the gym and on the track. While Dmitry Yashkin and Sergey Boykov provide a player’s perspective on the testing, Strength & Conditioning Coach Leonid Dmitrichenko explains the purpose behind the evaluations and what comes next as training camp gets underway.

Leonid Dmitrichenko, Strength & Conditioning Coach, Shanghai Dragons:

— This is a brand-new team, and the players have shown great commitment from day one. Everyone wants to make a strong first impression, and for us, these tests provide an important baseline of where each player is physically.

The results allow us to tailor our training program to each individual rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. We want to build the workload progressively. This is only our first day together as a team—we’ve had the opportunity to meet everyone in person, get to know them beyond what we’ve seen on paper, and evaluate each player’s physical capabilities.

Our overall training plan is already in place, but the testing helps us to adjust the workload for every player. The goal is to ensure the program is challenging enough to promote improvement without overloading anyone.

We’ll complete three training blocks in Minsk before wrapping up camp with a preseason tournament. Our main objective is to have the team in peak physical condition for the start of the regular season. From there, we’ll continue monitoring and adjusting the workload throughout the year while looking for opportunities to further improve the players’ physical performance.”

Shanghai Dragons Media Department