In the latest instalment of Backroom Boys, Fitness and Conditioning Coach Tony Daley looks into the role of Sports Science intern Dan Lothian.

* * *

One factor which certainly stands out in the Fitness and Medical Departments at Wolves is just how much of a team effort that exists between the staff.

We are fortunate in that every member of staff is always working with one key objective in mind, to do whatever we can for the players in all aspects of their fitness and conditioning work to ensure they are in the best possible condition when heading out onto the pitch.

And one of the main factors here at Wolves is that we endeavour to put strategies and working practices in place which not only cover the first team but also filter down through the Development squad and Academy as well.

You are never too young to pick up good habits, and the sooner our young players become accustomed to doing things properly the better for them as they develop and try and become regular members of the first team squad.

To that end one member of staff we haven't yet focused on is Dan Lothian, a Sports Science intern who has been doing some sterling work for us this season.

Dan became a full-time member of staff at Wolves last summer, at the same time as Fitness and Conditioning Research Assistant Kevin Enright and Performance Nutritionist James Collins, whose work we have previously featured on the website.

Dan has completed a degree in Physical Activity, Exercise and Health from John Moores University in Liverpool, which included receiving lectures from John Iga, the Exercise Physiologist at Wolves.

As a result of that connection, Dan had previously contacted John and carried out some voluntary work towards the back end of the 2008/09 season, helping out with the gym sessions for some of the younger Academy players in the evenings.

As a result of our continuing efforts to develop and improve our off-field operations ahead of going into the Barclays Premier League, a full-time position then became available and Dan was successful in his application.

He has since gone on to follow a very broad remit in the role, and has proved an important acquisition to the staff.

On the Sports Science side he is there to assist John in his work at all levels of the club, although the majority of the Strength and Conditioning work performed by Dan is with the Academy players.

This can be with the Under-18s, who are at Compton full-time, the Under-16s - who come in twice a week - or even younger players some of whom now come to the training ground for half a day each week on day release.

The strength and conditioning work carried out by Dan with these lads is on a similar basis to what we do with the first team, both inside in the gymnasium and outside on the training pitch.

He will usually take the Under-18s through their warm-up before an outdoor training session, and then lead the cool-down at the end of it, going through the same process with those Under-18 players on a matchday both home and away.

And then there's always the chance for him to have an input with John and Kevin into the fitness and conditioning training programmes put together for the Under-18s.

This may also lead to additional work with the young players in the gym in an afternoon, while Dan's other responsibilities including checking the hydration levels of the Academy youngsters before they start training.

Overall it's an important role carried out alongside that of the other staff, because it's all about getting good habits ingrained into the players so that when they are finished in the Academy, if they do get a professional contract they are set up nicely for what is to come.

It's all about getting those building blocks in place, and the fact that the First Team and Academy squads are both housed together at Compton is a major advantage to us in establishing levels of good practice throughout the club.

I know Dan is very much enjoying his first season at Wolves, in particular working in an atmosphere where he can continue to learn and develop his own skills and experience to the mutual benefit of both himself and the club.