The Nestlé Nutrition Physiotherapy Unit, which has travelled to more than 300 tournaments across Europe in the past decade, celebrated its tenth anniversary during the BMW International Open at GolfClub München Nord-Eichenreid.
Ryder Cup Captain Sam Torrance was among those who led the offers of congratulations to the Nestlé Nutrition Physiotherapy Unit when he said: “ I have been on Tour for 31 years. I have seen a lot of changes over the years but the most beneficial for the players is the Physio truck. We have some great guys in there and if it is physically possible they will get you ready to play.”
Seve Ballesteros, one of the first top professional golfers to appreciate the importance of physical fitness, said: “Since it was launched in 1992 the Physio Unit has continuously improved over the years. The truck, the physios and the service for us by the sponsors has become nearly perfect. We now consider it part of our normal life and routine but we do realise we cannot be without it any more. They not only help us playing in a particular tournament but we would certainly not be able to play so many tournaments and practice so hard without them – professional golf needs it.”
Swedish Ryder Cup player Joakim Haeggman added: “We could no longer do what we do on Tour without the help we are getting. The last few years we have had not only physiotherapy help but also nutrition help with drinks and power bars. All this is essential in sport today.”
Bernhard Langer, a strong supporter of the Physiotherapy Unit from the outset, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved with the Physio Unit, especially our sponsor Nestlé for their valuable support over the last three years. The Physio Unit with its services has become a vital part of the Tour. Fitness in golf has become more and more important and to have a place on the course to work out, get stretched, get professional medical advice when injured or prevent injuries is invaluable. Happy tenth anniversary and many congratulations.”
Andrew Coltart and Costantino Rocca also added their support for the Nestlé Nutrition Physiotherapy Unit during a press conference at the BMW International Open.
The state of the art unit, a highly sophisticated, expanded articulated vehicle has developed into as vital an element in tournament golf as the practice range and putting green. The interior is a medical marvel, catering for all the requirements of today’’s professional golfers. Also available are special sports foods with Nestlé Nutrition offering a scientifically based combination of tailormade and harmonised products which help to quickly replenish energy and nutritional reserves.
Guy Delacave, head of the physiotherapy team comprising Kris Huizenga, Rob Hillman and Lars Sandstrom, said: “This is the tenth year in which we are proud to present our truck based physiotherapy unit. For the professional golfers, the mobile unit is one of the most popular and highly frequented spots on Tour. The professionals value the comprehensive and competent support provided by the Nestlé Nutrition team and The European Tour.
“The Physio Unit has evolved from first focusing on helping patients, then prevention being better than cure and then to fitness and cardiovascular work. It has slowly evolved into making players fit. To be a top professional you need to be a top athlete. That is a big difference to ten years ago. And Nestlé have completed the 100% support service for players with their expertise in nutrition and providing power bars and water.”
George O’’Grady, Deputy Executive Director of The European Tour, who along with Delacave put the wheels in motion in 1991, said: “The vision of having a travelling physio unit was built on the same vision as The European Tour, to push back the frontiers and ensure every aspect of the operation is the very best we can make it. The people inside the unit make it as good as it can be. Companies help is make this vision come to pass and in Nestlé we have the perfect partner. They have pushed back the frontiers of nutrition and I would like to thank them for their support.”
Thanks to its scientific expertise, Nestlé is able to develop foods not only for sportsmen and women, but also for many other target groups with specific nutritional requirements. “Each year we spend about 1,200 million Swiss Francs on the research and development of new foods. Worldwide, Nestlé has 3,500 employees in 17 research and development centres,“ explains Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Haschke, clinician and Chairman of Nestlé Nutrition GmbH. “Nestlé Nutrition offers products for people of all ages and stages. From babies through to seniors – for pregnant mothers and even clinical patients, we offer specific nutritional concepts and products, tailored to the particular individual requirements.”
Professional golfers, as well as golfers who putt across the green in their leisure time, should not neglect their diet. “Firstly, a healthy balanced diet forms the basis of the specific nutritional requirements of a golfer“, says Prof. Haschke. “A golfer burns a lot of energy during a round of golf. Above all, he or she looses a lot of fluid. Specific foods, which release their energy and minerals in a continuous and steady manner, can efficiently correct this deficit, thus enabling the golfer to maintain his performance capabilities over several hours.“
On the golf course it is important to conserve these limited reserves and to continually take in carbohydrate energy in the form of food. This is best achieved by a combination of complex carbohydrates (starch) and simple carbohydrates (sugar, glucose or malt dextrin). The simple, sweet tasting carbohydrates release energy which is rapidly available to the body. Complex carbohydrates give power, which although is not felt straight away, lasts for a longer period of time, which enables the performance capabilities to be maintained at a consistently high level. “There are now products which are intended for periods of increased exertion“, explains Axel Rössler, Managing Director of PowerBar Europe GmbH. PowerBar-energy bars and sports drinks such as PowerBar HydroPlus Ready to Drink, not only provide an optimal source of fluids, energy and minerals but they also fit conveniently into any golf bag.
