sports
Bleep tests, alcohol bans and Gazza: Italia 90 set the bar for England and sports science
Bobby Robson employed a head of human performance for the World Cup and, despite wariness, the players got on board
TL;DR
- Sports scientist John Brewer was tasked with acclimatizing the England squad to the Italian summer for Italia 90 using rudimentary technology.
- Initial suspicion towards Brewer's role as head of human performance gradually gave way as he proved player adaptation to heat through bleep tests.
- Challenges included resistance to nutritional advice, such as a chef preparing swordfish steaks before a game, and players breaking alcohol bans.
- Paul Gascoigne was noted for his professionalism and fitness, with Brewer measuring his low body fat percentage for the tournament.
- Brewer's innovations, like specific warm-up routines and hydration strategies, were unusual at the time but are now commonplace in sports.
- The article contrasts the basic technology of 1990 with the sophisticated wearables and recovery methods used by players in 2026.
- Brewer's experiences highlight the evolving attitudes within football towards sports science, contrasting with its acceptance in other sports.
- He also notes the shift from the FA's human performance center serving multiple clubs to clubs having their own dedicated sports science teams.