1/4 Hour LabO #78: "Individualized Care" - Rémi Lancou

Introduction: Individualized Care at the Heart of Sports Performance

Remi Lancou, a sports physiotherapist and physical trainer, shares his unique experience with high-level athletes, including football players from the Algerian national team and MMA fighters. His approach is characterized by a dual role – physiotherapist and physical trainer – which he considers inseparable for comprehensive and effective care.

He highlights the fundamental importance of communication and individualization to meet the specific needs of each athlete, regardless of the context. In this interview, Remi takes us behind the scenes of his profession, explaining how he coordinates his various roles and adapts to the constraints of professional sports.

He emphasizes the necessity of setting aside ego to work synergistically with the multiple actors surrounding the athlete, from the coach to the nutritionist, thus ensuring continuity and coherence in follow-up.

The Multi-Role of the Physiotherapist and Physical Trainer

Remi Lancou combines the roles of sports physiotherapist and physical trainer. He explains that this dual skill set has become essential in modern sports. He finds it difficult to separate these two practices and believes that a sports physiotherapist must master the tools of physical training.

In the Algerian national football team, physical training in the gym occurs before each practice, while treatments take place in the evening. In re-athleticization, both practices converge. The medical staff, composed of two physiotherapists and two masseurs, works in close collaboration.

Managing Continuity and Communication with Clubs

Managing athletes between their club and the national team is a significant challenge. Remi underscores the importance of communication with clubs to ensure continuity in medical and physical care. Medical reports are sent in case of issues, and the collected data is shared.

This collaboration is a key success factor. Remi speaks of the excellence in results of the Algerian national team, which he attributes to a solid systemic foundation where every small action contributes to overall performance.

Individualization of Care: Football vs. MMA

The Individualized Approach in Football

In the national team, individualization is paramount, especially with players who have specific physical training programs. Remi ensures these external programs are integrated while guaranteeing their proper execution.

His experience in individually monitoring players has provided him with valuable insight into these dynamics.

The Individualized Approach in MMA

For MMA fighters, Remi manages all physical preparation. He works with them on a weekly basis and has trained coaches to implement his method, allowing other fighters to access quality preparation.

Close communication with technical coaches is essential to adapt training loads and identify limiting performance factors based on feedback from the coaches.

The Importance of Communication and Therapeutic Alliance

The central point of all these approaches is communication. It is crucial for the athlete, whether they are football players surrounded by many actors or MMA fighters. The physical trainer often acts as an "aggregator" of information, creating a trusting relationship with the athlete.

Remi distinguishes the physiotherapy aspect in football, often urgent, from that in MMA, which is more focused on prophylaxis. The therapeutic alliance is vital: patient trust is essential for good adherence to the proposed program.

The Key Message: Work Together Without Ego

Remi concludes by emphasizing the importance of individualization and communication. Sports professionals must work together and avoid letting ego take precedence. Everyone should continue to learn and expand their "toolbox", without swearing by a single method.

He mentions the example of a great goalkeeper, Raïs, who testified to the impact of neurological work on his performance. This shows that these approaches, although they may seem new to some, are present and proven in high-level sports.