BY KEREM DORUK

Athletes are struggling to maintain fitness in isolation, with sporting league postponements and gym closures forcing them to alter training routines crucial for maintaining competitive fitness.

Athletes across Victoria are maintaining their fitness at home, by following fitness guides from their clubs and utilising home equipment. 

However, athletes who do not have the appropriate training equipment face a far more difficult task of staying fit ahead of a season restart.

The A-League is among many sporting organisations to have shut down due to COVID-19.

Nuh Sehavdic is a former Melbourne Victory striker currently playing in the NPL league with Victorian champions Bentleigh Greens.

With the current social distancing measures and bans on club training sessions, Sehavdic is finding it difficult to maintain his preseason fitness.

“My cardio training has reduced dramatically, especially the high-intensity required at a professional level,” Sehavdic said.

“It’s difficult because many of us don’t have the necessary equipment... and we haven’t had any online training sessions.”

Sehavdic also said his fitness has been impacted by the ban on matches. 

“The best way to increase your fitness is through match fitness and that’s not possible because of the league suspension.”

Martial arts fighter Omar Selmanovic represents Australia in Karate and was preparing for a preselection tournorment for the Funakoshi Gichin Cup 15th Karate World Championship event due to take place in Japan later this year. 

Due to COVID-19, both the preselections and the world cup have been postponed until 2020, but training for both events continues. 

With the closure of gyms and karate-training facilities, Selmanovic has been forced to alter his preparation for the preselection event and is making use of his personal gym at home to help train and keep fit. 

“I am utilizing all the resources I have available. Luckily, I have a brother who also trains [in karate] and we use each other as training and sparring partners at home, so that has been a big plus,” Selmanovic said.

“Owning a treadmill and some basic gym equipment has also allowed me to maintain my cardio and strength without having to leave the house,” he said.

While Selmanovic is still able to train, not having his coaches and the correct facilities is proving difficult. 

“Training has been made harder due to the fact that there is no coach there to push you and finding the motivation to go 100% everyday by yourself is not easy,” Selmanovic said.