The physiology department's job is to investigate how the body's structure and functions change with exercise and the maturation of each Flamengo youth player. The transformation and development of youth players' bodies is the focus of physiologist Felipe Olive, who has been working at Flamengo for two and a half months.

Felipe arrived to promote the development of the area. Through continuous and regular assessments, his work monitors the progress and transitions of the club's youth players, as well as connecting the nutrition, physiotherapy, and physical preparation departments. His daily activities include monitoring weight, body fat percentage, functional assessments, and physical tests. After mapping each player, the athlete is classified, and, along with physical preparation, the physiologist develops a plan for the periodization of muscular activities and physical training.

Athletes classified within the special group who need to gain muscle mass, lose weight, or require any other specific attention, implement a special plan before, after, or alongside regular training. The work for this special group is carried out by the physiologist in conjunction with the nutrition and physical preparation team. When the athlete leaves the medical department, the physiotherapy and physiology teams work together on the planning and rehabilitation of the player.

Another area of ​​physiology's work is the transition between the medical department and the return to field training.

"The athlete comes back from physical therapy, and we monitor and analyze the components that need improvement. We approach it as if it were the end of medical rehabilitation and the beginning of physical preparation, so the athlete doesn't arrive at the trainer and coach unprepared for the skills he needs to enter a real game situation. After this transition, the boy is released to work directly with the group," explains Felipe, who arrived at the club after a season with a team in the Saudi Arabian first division.

In addition to integrating nutrition, physiotherapy, and physical preparation, Professor Felipe receives guidance and support from Claudio Pavanelli, the professionals' physiologist.

"Pavanelli gives me full support and guidance in working with the base. We work together to ensure that the activities performed at the base are compatible with what is done professionally," says the base physiologist.

Player identification and mapping are carried out starting in the Mais Querido youth academy. Athletes in the pre-junior and junior categories undergo a measurement and maturation assessment to determine their stage of development. With this analysis, Felipe can estimate the approximate height the athlete can reach and identify growth phases. With this study, the physiologist can guide physical trainers and coaches on physical conditions and qualities and work more specifically with each athlete.

 In the coming weeks we will present the departments:

- Psychology;
- Doctor;
- Social Service;
- Nutrition;
- Technical Committees;
- Intelligence and Market Center;

Read more:

Flamengo's Silver: Learn how Flamengo's youth teams work
Flamengo's Silver Medals: Pedagogy in Off-Field Discipline