German bobsled-elite: well cared for in the new season, 11/06/2006
The national German bobsled team was provided with orthopedic medical aids from Bauerfeind during their training session at Königssee. In Schönau Olympic winners and world champions such as André Lange and Matthias Höpfner and their teams received specialized care from the orthopedic technical service team.
In preparation for the coming season that begins in Calgary, Canada, November 13-19 with the America Cup, the athletes have been training in the Berchtesgaden area under summer-like conditions. Team physician Dr. Christian Schneider greeted the on-site service team from Bauerfeind. Bobsled national trainer Wolfgang Hoppe was also pleased with the flexible support offered by the East Thuringen medical supply manufacturer. “The care of athletes is not only helpful medically. It’s also extremely effective for us if breaks in training are used optimally.”
The athletes in the Bobsled and Toboggan association of Germany (BSD) have been training hard since summer. Some of the athletes are already wearing Bauerfeind supports and are pleased by the supportive effects. According to André Lange, pilot of the four-man bobsled “Germany 1” and two-time Olympic winner in Turin 2006: “Knee joints and backs are really stressed, for example at the start and of course during the ride when you rush down the canal at 130 kilometers an hour.” In the artificial ice track on the Königssee in Bavaria speeds of 6 to 7 Gs are not uncommon. “One needs the appropriate training for that,” says team member Martin Putze. He received a LumboTrain active back support for support and faster regeneration of his musculature and is satisfied with the results. Many athletes used the GenuTrain knee support in power training for joint relief – and verify the effectiveness of the medical support.
The female athletes in Schönau also made appointments with the service team to learn more about Bauerfeind products and get measured for needed medical products. “We appreciate the flexibility and specialized care – and the friendly atmosphere at the appointments,” says 2-man bob Olympic winner Sandra Kiriasis from BSC Winterberg. Flexibility means that Bauerfeind offers orthopedic technical service not only during the competition phase – for example, at Olympic Games, but also during the preparation and training phases. The medical product manufacturer remains in close contact with athletes, trainers and team doctors throughout the year. The experience gained from treating top athletes helps all patients, as findings are continually incorporated into the development of new and revised products.
