Track & Field Athlete Nadine Broersen Talks Fitness!

Namita Nayyar (WF Team)

5 years ago

Nadine Broersen is a Dutch track and field athlete, specializing in the heptathlon and high jump. She holds the current national record in the high jump with 1.94m. She is the 2014 World Indoor pentathlon champion. She competes for the track and field club AV Sprint in Breda.

Lets get to know her a little more.

NN

Your good performance in three essential events – 100 metres hurdles, high jump and the javelin throw – motivated you to specialise in the heptathlon, despite your fear for the 800 metres. What motivated you to finally enter in heptathlon?

NB

Well, doing just one event would have been boring for me. I just love the challenge of mastering the different events. Even the 800, it’s very demanding, but there is something heroic about running it after two hard days of competing. It is not easy, but I don’t like easy. And the heptathlon is the ultimate athletic test. Strength, speed, agility, endurance, they all need to be extremely well developed. There really is nothing like it, that’s why I like it.

Full Interview on Next Page!

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NN

You hold the current national record in the high jump with 1.94m. What emotions do you hold on creating this benchmark?

NB

You know, it’s not really about those records for me. I am not the tallest athlete, so I never even really thought I had it in me to jump those heights. But I am focussed on always improving myself, and as a result sometimes, by accident I break a record.

Records are quite abstract things. But if I think about how much higher than my own height I can jump, that’s when it comes to life for me.

NN

You have proved your merit by becoming the 2014 World Indoor Champion. What helped you stay focused & determined during the event?

NB

I was more than ready for that competition. The weeks going into Worlds were already promising, so I was feeling quite calm and confident.

In fact I did not allow myself to think about gold. It’s probably never a good thing to think about the result. I just focussed on my technical cues for the next event, the next jump, the next throw. Even in the 800 I thought: ‘Stay in your lane, don’t step on the line, run your own race, save energy for a strong finish lap.’

I think this is great overall advice: focus on your task, not on the outcome.

NN

What do you have for breakfast? How do you keep yourself fuelled during training sessions? 5 favourite deserts you love to feast on?

NB

Eating in the morning is something I really have to make myself do. My breakfast consists of three pieces of fruit, soy milk, chia seed, oats and cinnamon, which I blend into a smoothie.

Actually the individual sessions that I do are not that long, so I don’t really eat during sessions. I prefer to sit down after practice for a regular lunch. I do drink a lot (isotone sports drink) and immediately after really hard sessions I refuel with a protein shake.

I love coffee and whipped cream, so for dessert I’ll usually have a cappuccino or Irish coffee. Maybe strawberries and cream. Also, I really like doughnuts.

NN

5 exercises that are a must for building a strong core.

NB

I think in my sport, more than any other sport, it’s not about building strong muscles, but a strong chain of muscles. All muscles are connected, so also when doing core work we try to incorporate the whole chain. You are as strong as your weakest link.

Basic abs like window wipers and leg lowering, keep belly button tucked in and lower back pushed into the ground.
Dynamic plank exercises, such as groiners and mountain climbers.
For the sides: side plank with leg lift. I also like the ‘swaying tree’, where you hold a weight above your head and gently move from side to side.
For the posterior chain: different variations of the superman exercise. Use every muscle from shoulder to hamstrings at once.

NN

How would you define Women Fitness?

NB

On the athletics track I know that if I am physically in shape, I feel mentally in shape as well. These two are very closely related. I guess that is what Women Fitness is all about for me. Feeling physically and mentally healthy, ‘in shape’!

NN

After having participated at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, how is your preparation going for the 2020 Games?

NB

Despite rehabbing from a PCL tear for nine months already I honestly think I can say prepations are going well. For the past seven years, there was a major championship each summer, that made it difficult to work on long term goals. This year we could really go back to the basics, take the time to manufacture a new Nadine. For instance I learnt about the biomechanics of sprinting, and we worked on strenghtening some weaker parts of my body so I will be less prone to injury in the future.

It was a big setback, but as a result we were able to change a lot, so the last year into the 2020 Games I can just focus on excelling on the track.

NN

Tips to relax after a hectic training session?

NB

I think the jacuzzi helps my muscles relax and recover. Maybe this is not scientifically proven, but I know my mind relaxes and as a result my body feels much better the next day!

NN

On a day-off, what activities do you like to indulge in?

NB

First of all, the 4 F’s: Family, Friends, Films and errr… caFfeine! I also like to watch sports. Good luck to you if we are watching a soccer match together and you are supporting the wrong team! 😉

NN

Message for Women Fitness on our 19th Anniversary?

NB

Keep inspiring women all over the world to live a happy, balanced and healthy life!

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