Real Madrid

A player will take better care and will get the most out of his body the more he knows about it. This simple statement summirises the essence of the Realmadrid TEC-Sanitas High Performance Centre.

Words such as 'drive', 'strength' or 'energy' are found all over the posters that hang on the walls of the Centre, in which the key to success lies within the individual and an exhaustive study of each player's personal characteristics. "We try to take down specific measurements with sophisticated research systems in order to understand each player well, know what he has to improve on and what he can work on further," says Director Valter di Salvo.

"Each player has completely different anthropometric characteristics, as well as a different age, a different position on the pitch, a different physiological structure... These are clear differences that must be measured and controlled." The Realmadrid TEC-Santias -an ambiotus and pioneering project in which Di Salvo has been working for two years- was created for this purpose. It aspires to become a "factory of players" on a physiological level.


Realmadrid TEC-Sanitas is divided into seven sections:
- Biomechanics and High Technology Room: Twelve cameras record each player's movements, his speed in delimited distances, and the amplitude and strength of his steps. Four other machines do tests for effort, and measure his energetic capacity, the stability of his body or the strength he has in each leg.
- Image Room: Eight cameras positioned on the ceiling of the Bernabeu record the movements of each player in order for them to be able to self-evaluate themselves, analyse their positioning and their movements the following day.
- Neuro-physology Room: Studies the emotional and mental state of each player. The mind has an effect on the physiological parameters of the body. The capacity to control said parameters will allow the players to waste less energy and be better prepared to overcome any tests.
- Nutricion Room: Controls weight and makes specific indications to each player.
- Vision Room: Visual range and the speed with which an image is perceived varies in each person. These capacities are analysed, evaluated and improved on in this room.
- Data Analysis Room: Every machine in the Centre is connected to a local network. Their data is compiled by a central computer.
- Meeting Room: Realmadrid TEC-Sanitas experts meet here with the Coaching Staff of each team to present them wih the information on each player.

This brilliant technology needs the handling of experts to get the best out of it. "We haven't just bought this technology," adds Di Salvo, "We've reached agreements with the manufacturers by which we will work together to further develop it. We've also signed agreements with several universities to cover all areas. This allows us to develop and make excellent use of the benefits this technology brings."

"We want to develop our players. Fitter footballers will come out of here. In order to achieve this, we will make excellent use of our technology and of the knowledge of our experts, who are leading figures in their respective fields."