Wolves are raising the bar in Sport Medical and Exercise Science provision after becoming not only the first football club in the country but also the first professional sports club in the UK to have an accredited laboratory.

The laboratory at the Compton training ground has come through the rigorous accreditation procedure set by British Association of Sports and Exercise Sciences (BASES) who after a six-month process have now given Wolves the green light to run their own facility.

"The idea for a laboratory is based upon AC Milan's laboratory at their Milanello training ground," says Wolves Exercise Physiologist Dr. John Iga.

"The famed 'MilanLab' has been attributed to ensuring the optimal preparation of AC Milan's players and prolonging the playing careers of several top stars well into their late 30's.

"We have a range of equipment in our laboratory that allows us to perform a whole host of physiological assessments on our players to monitor their fitness levels and to inform the design of their individual training programmes.

"Assessments are not limited to the senior squads; we perform assessments on all our playing squads from the first team right the way down to Under 11's. This is to ensure that the next generation of players graduating through our Academy are physically prepared to handle the demands of playing and training at the highest level.

"We have developed a bank of normative data on all our playing squads.  Consequently, we have an idea as to what fitness levels each player in each squad should have for their given playing position.

"Information on the players fitness is particularly when they're returning from injury. We can compare the player's current performance to their previous test scores and design training plans to correct any loss in fitness that may have occurred during the players 'rehab' and really accelerate their return to play.

"Additionally having the lab will mean that we can investigate our own working practices to develop even better training methods to improve the players fitness levels and ultimately their performance on the field."

The new BASES accredited facility is the latest in a long line of developments carried out at the Compton training ground to continually try and improve the club's off-field operation.

One examples of the assessments that can now conduct in-house is a maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ max) test, which is a major benefit of the accredited laboratory.

Fitness and conditioning coach Tony Daley commented:  "VO₂ max testing is considered the 'gold standard' means of assessing an individuals aerobic power.

Whilst having a high VO₂ max is an obvious prerequisite for success in endurance sports, for football players being able to sustain a high percentage of their VO_2max without the accumulation fatiguing by-products (i.e., lactate in the blood) is of greater importance. 

"We are able to conduct treadmill tests to determine VO_2max and also profile the blood lactate responses of each player.  Training intensity zones can then be set for each individual member of the squad as different training intensities influence adaptations".

"The introduction of our own laboratory also enables testing to be conducted in a familiar environment and at short notice if required.

"Results can be obtained instantly, collated and training interventions for the squad and /or individual can be put into place with greater efficiency."

Head of the Medical Department Steve Kemp believes the latest developments continue to enhance Wolves' off-field operations particularly relating to the rehabilitation of injured players.

He said:  "The gym and medical facilities have already been extended considerably since the club moved into the Sir Jack Hayward Training ground back in 2005 and progressively continued to grow on a regular basis since then. 

"The importance of Sport Medicine and Exercise Science in professional football is something we feel very strongly about here at Wolves. 

"This is also recognised by the Chairman, CEO and the Board as they have been very supportive when we have recommended investment to further improve the service that we provide.

"The club now offers comprehensive support to all players from Under 11 right up to the first team, ensuring that the development of all our players is meticulously planned and based on sound scientific research. 

"As a department we too are also trying to add to the research and two interns have been employed at the club this season who are continuing to complete their studies at university whilst assisting with the day to day running of the Medical and Exercise Science Department and carrying out important scientific research to help us a department justify our practice." 

Equipment wise, we have also tried to keep up with the latest advances in sports medicine.  This season we were fortunate enough to acquire an Alter G anti gravity treadmill, which makes use of NASA technology and allows rehabilitating players to return to fitness work earlier than previously due to the weight-bearing nature of the machine. 

In addition to this the department has isokinetics, dynamic ultrasound, postural sway analysis, hydrotherapy and Cryotherapy all on site in an attempt to offer the best facilities to aid rehabilitation and recovery of all players.

The addition of the lab is another step in the clubs commitment to excellence and if such investments can make marginal gains across the board, it is hoped that this will carry across into results in the long run.

Wolves CEO Jez Moxey believes it's a real coup for the club to have achieved BASES accreditation and is another example of how the club is constantly striving for improvements both on and off the field.

"This accreditation was a target the medical department set a while ago and is an example of how our staff are always trying to improve what they do," said Jez.

"John Iga, Steve Kemp and Tony Daley wanted a facility which would really boost our off-field training ground operation and we were delighted to support them.

"Modern day football is becoming more and more scientific in its approach towards athlete and tactical preparation.

"Our staff wants to squeeze every possible advantage out of our players to give the team the best chance of success and in order to do that we need the most modern techniques.

"Furthermore, to have beaten other top Premier League clubs, and indeed all other professional sporting organisations, to become the first in the country to receive BASES accreditation demonstrates the high level of professionalism of the staff working in our fitness and medical departments.

"We are thrilled that the accreditation has been achieved and I commend them wholeheartedly for their efforts in establishing an industry leading laboratory for Wolves."