Last night I spoke to recently promoted Reading and Irish International Noel Hunt on everything from the European championship prospects to nutrition and strength training.

I started off by congratulating him on their promotion to the premiership and his big contribution over the course of the season.

Jason Roberts

He spoke of his partnership with veteran striker Jason Roberts and how they complimented each other.Roberts the experienced campaigner has benefited from the enthusiastic and willing younger strike partner. The Times News Paper recently published the stats on Noels previous four strike partners having their best seasons when partnered with the Rathgormack man(we’ll claim any connection J).Food for thought for Trap ahead of this summer but Noel is  well aware of the Italians “loyalty” policy.

He spoke of Roberts strict vegan diet over the course of the season and how it can lapse off season into beer and burgers, very extreme on the face of it but perhaps it just helps his mindset when the serious time of year comes around,” have something to work off”.

Pre-Match

On the subject of nutrition I asked Noel on his typical pre match meal. He spoke of how recently he’s struggling to find a pre-match that suits him, he’s feeling bloated and heavy of late and considering going lactose and carb free. His typical one would be poached eggs on toast, with possibly salad or veg. The awareness and interest amongst players in nutrition of late has surprised me but refreshing to hear. It’s the single most factor you can influence immediately whether its performance or body composition you are after.

Supplements

Noel gave me the run down of his supplement plan for the summer in his conscience effort to get stronger and leaner without adding any unnecessary bulk for the forthcoming Premiership season. At 28 this is a career defining year for him and with his career to date been plighted by injury I get the impression nothing is been left to chance for the forthcoming season.

Anyway here is his supplement list:

Glutamine:

Is an essential amino acid that is readily used up by the body in intense exercise.

Multivitamin:

This will help cover all wickets.

Fish oil:

It’s anti inflammatory (helps joint care) and helps reduce the lowering of testosterone during and after intense exercise, remember testosterone is the responsible for muscle growth and recovery and the aggression and focus for competition and training.

Vitamin D:

Is responsible for helping immune function, so if your training or involved in a heavy match schedule vitamin D will reduce the risk of getting run down or feeling constantly lethargic.

It’s a good “cover all bases” supplement plan but no more than you’d expect from full time athlete.

Strength Training

Over the last few months strength training has been reduced due to the heavy load of games which has generally been Tuesday /Saturdays so as a result recovery has been the main emphasis. But he spoke about the Olympic lifts such as cleans to develop power and front squats which are important for him to maintain leg strength after two knee operations.

Brotherly Love

With Noels brother Stephen one week away from returning to training after groin surgery I asked him his thoughts on Stephen making the euros.

“He’ll be on the plane”. Noel Hunt 20/04/2012

I have to say (non-biased)I totally agree but wouldn’t it be unbelievable if they were both involved!!!!

I wrapped it up by inviting myself over to Reading for pre-season and true to form  Noel was more than obliging, so keep an eye out for “Pre-Season With Reading In The Premiership” post on FitnessFreak.ie

I would like to thank Noel for taking the time to chat to me at a time when he was in big demand for interviews and comments on the recent promotion.