TWO TIME HEAD OF THE CHARLES WINNER TRAINS AT BU FOR 40th ANNUAL REGATTA

Tuesday, November 19, 2004

(Boston) – Aleks Zosuls has already won the Head of the Charles (HOTC) twice. In addition to these championships in 1998 and 2001, he has won two national and two club championships. He also placed second at world championship time trials three times.

Even though he’s already considered a rowing champion, Zosuls has been preparing for the 2004 HOTC regatta with Noel Vigue, M.Ed., CSCS, head strength coach and conditioning specialist at the Boston University Athletic Enhancement Center (BUAEC). Vigue has been working with him to prevent injury and maximize his performance.

“Noel has been very good at assessing my strengths and weaknesses,” said Zosuls. “It is important to have the personal attention of a coach to make sure that there are no weaknesses limiting my performance or promoting injury.”

Zosuls, who initially sought the help of Vigue to combat back and knee pain due to muscle imbalance and incorrect body movement, believes that almost all of his sports related injuries during his 14 years of competitive rowing could have been prevented if someone was helping to correct his form.

“Aleks is a perfect example of how even experienced athletes can benefit from working with a trainer on the fundamental basics,” said Vigue. “Simple strength and conditioning training exercises can have a huge impact on an athlete’s overall performance.”

Zosuls also believes that training with Noel and the BUAEC will help him reach to the next level of rowing- international competition.

“I also enjoy training with Noel,” said Zosuls. “Since I workout 12 times per week, variation and motivation are very important when it comes to training. Noel switches up the routines to keep me engaged while covering all muscles.”

Boston University (BU) Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences is an institution of higher education, research and clinical centers whose premier academic programs prepare dynamic health professionals and whose research and leadership in the health and rehabilitation sciences is actively shaping health care. BU Sargent College is the only private institution in the country offering five nationally ranked graduate programs in health and rehabilitation sciences. For more information and to learn about degree programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, communication disorders, health sciences, athletic training, nutrition, and rehabilitation counseling, visit http://www.bu.edu/sargent.