High-altitude training certainly has its critics, but North Melbourne Director of Medical Services Steve Saunders has no doubts about its benefits.

The Kangaroos will travel to Utah for the fourth consecutive year in November, hoping to build on the significant steps taken since Brad Scott instigated the camp in 2011.

“We’ve seen some really nice changes in the group, some really rapid improvements even in the boys who have only been with us one or two years,” Saunders told NMFC.com.au.

“But the guys who have been to three or four camps, we’ve seen remarkable improvements in the aerobic conditioning measures we take, but also in strength too. Jona Segal (Nutrition and Condition Coach) and Dan Meehan (Strength and Conditioning Coach) have done an incredible job with their strength programs.”

While most associate pre-season camps with exhausting running and strength training, North’s focus is varied.  

“It’s a football-based camp. One of the things that’s evolved over the four years is it’s become much more about football than just altitude-based conditioning training,” Saunders explained.

“The players love that side of it. They know it’s going to be very challenging, both physically and mentally but it’s a good opportunity to spend time together and bond.

“We include a very high level of skills work both individually and team game-sense skills as well. Obviously given the time of year that it is and it’s a training camp, there will be a very big conditioning component.

“Our training loads have been exceptionally high over the past three years on purpose. We’re coming off a really nice base which will allow us in some of the areas, to pull volumes back to allow training intensity to lift.”

Last gasp defeats, mainly due to late fade-outs in games cost the Kangaroos dearly and it’ll be a key focus.

“There will be a couple of new elements introduced this year which will prepare the players in some other areas which we saw needing attention off the back of all of those close games that we didn’t quite get over the line.

“Without giving too much away, it will be very similar to last year with a few twists and turns which will get us that little bit closer to where we need to be.”

While North’s new recruits in the National Draft will arrive late, there’s plenty they can take out of the experience.

“It’s a great kick-start. From a conditioning/injury prevention point of view, it’s really valuable getting the players familiar with the exercises we prescribe and the measures we take and properly guiding them in their gym and running programs. For the coaching and conditioning staff, having the time to spend with them is a really good opportunity to do a lot of player education straight away.”

With several Roos such as Andrew Swallow, Majak Daw and Leigh Adams on the comeback trail from injury, modified programs will be in place.  

“It will limit some of the things we’ll be doing with them but only out of necessity, they’ll be doing exactly what they’d be doing over here. If anything, it will be better for them, other than the passive gains you get just being at altitude, we’re with them 24/7 for three weeks.

“A lot of those boys will be at the pointy end of their rehab and having us able to work with them one-on-one more often will help significantly.”