Real Madrid, BU, MIT Join Forces

Boston Schools to Collaboratively Research with Spanish Club

By Mark Goodman

March 13, 2009

BOSTON - Boston University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology are two of the foremost learning institutions in the country.

Real Madrid TEC Director Valter Di Salvo (center) presented MIT AgeLab Director Joe Coughlin (left) and BU professor Dr. Len Zaichkowsky (right) with club jerseys, signed by Real Madrid's entire first team. (Boston University Photo Services)

Real Madrid - winner of 31 Spanish league titles and nine European Cups, both all-time records - is arguably the most famous sporting organization in the world.

Friday, the three joined forces in a collaboration agreement to research several aspects of sports, including physical preparation, physiological factors, diet and nutrition.

Representatives from Real Madrid and the two schools were on hand at BU today to sign an official agreement. Leading the group of delegates from Spain was Valter Di Salvo, director of Real Madrid�s new High Performance Center (RMTEC).

Prior to coming to Madrid in 2007, Di Salvo worked as a fitness and training guru at Italian club Lazio and then Manchester United. Di Salvo�s work as a member of Sir Alex Ferguson�s staff in Manchester is largely credited for developing Cristiano Ronaldo into one of the world�s best players.

�We are excited because MIT and Boston University represent two of the most important universities in the world,� Di Salvo said. �We want to bring to Spain the knowledge of these universities�and to develop students, develop their research, with the possibility to study our athletes.�

Di Salvo said he hopes the research will discover new methods to help his club�s players continue to excel beyond the age of 30, a time when most soccer players� skills begin to decline.

Among others on hand for Friday�s signing were BU men�s soccer coach Neil Roberts, BU junior midfielder Samuel Appiah, MIT AgeLab Director Joe Coughlin and Ivan Bravo, Real Madrid�s director of strategic planning.

Pulling the strings behind the scenes to facilitate this agreement was Dr. Len Zaichkowsky, a professor in BU�s School of Education and Graduate Medical Science.

A few years ago, through a former student, Zaichkowsky was connected with Luis Aragones, then manager of Spain�s national team. Zaichkowsky worked directly with Aragones and the players as the team�s sport psychologist up through the 2006 World Cup. He continued to work with the team, in a more hands-off capacity, through its win in last summer�s European championships.

(Left to right) MIT's Joe Coughlin, Real Madrid's Valter Di Salvo and BU's Dr. Len Zaichkowsky sign the agreement. (Boston University Photo Services)

�We can learn a lot from high-end athletes, and take that analysis to the general population,� Zaichkowsky said.

While one of the stated primary goals of the collaboration will be to improve health and well-being in the older population, Zaichkowsky is also hoping to delve into athletic performance and training in athletes as young as 8 or 9 years old.

�There�s almost no good research in that area,� Zaichkowsky said. �There�s so much to be learned, like when�s an optimal time to start training programs. The whole business of specializing versus playing many sports at a young age, we don�t have good answers to those questions. I think this will be an opportunity to do that.�

Coughlin said one of the biggest draws of the agreement is Real Madrid�s stature and reputation across the world.

�Len and I both feel very strongly that for this collaboration to work well, it should have a global presence, it should have a focus on research and science and distribution of that knowledge,� Coughlin said.

A major event in that distribution of knowledge is an upcoming �international congress of science and technology in football,� Di Salvo said, scheduled for later this year in Madrid.

Also, as part of the agreement, Zaichkowsky said BU students will have the chance to study in Madrid at RMTEC.

�We have the know-how working with our players and athletes, and the university has great opportunity in terms of research and technology,� Di Salvo said. �We want to create a synergy between us and Boston University and MIT that can help with our goals and the students of these universities.�

Highlights of the agreement

�To promote and encourage cutting-edge research, development of innovative approaches to psycho-physiological measurement, and the introduction of advances in the field of athletic performance and its translation into broader human performance, self-regulation, and development across the lifespan.�

�Research, education and outreach activities will be conducted in three areas: 1) Development of methods of detection and analysis of human performance, as well as methodologies for the improvement of human performance in athletics; 2) Translation of knowledge and behaviors in high-performing athletes to promote the well-being of people throughout the lifespan - youth to old age; 3) Advancement of psycho-physiological systems, methods, and research to develop new understanding of the science around self-regulation, including: new approaches�to enhance the motivation to excel, improve adherence to nutrition and exercise routines, and promotion of other behaviors that contribute to performance and wellness at any age or capability.�

The agreement �between Real Madrid TEC and Boston University�shall remain in place for six months�At the end of six months, Real Madrid and Boston University�will assess progress and the promise of future work.�

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