John Pryor – Director JointAction

For John Pryor, rugby is a sport in which the right training principles can contribute to the creation of a substantial competitive edge. As the strength and conditioning coordinator for the consistently overachieving Japan Rugby Football Union, Pryor has demonstrated the full extent of the competitive advantage possible through a total dedication to training and nutrition as well as rest and recovery.

In addition to his work with the Japan Rugby Football Union, Pryor also serves as director for JointAction, a company dedicated to educating members of the workforce on strategies designed to aid in the prevention of the most common musculoskeletal injuries. Pryor, who earned a Master of Health Science in Biomechanics from Southern Cross University, has contributed a great deal to JointAction’s efforts by drawing on his extensive experience in international sport as well as his expansive academic background.

What are some things that you love?

I am a major proponent of physical fitness and nutrition, and for many years I have been deeply fascinated by the range of factors that contribute to an individual’s ability to compete at the highest level of athletics. This is why I love researching and studying just about any relevant subject, with exercise physiology and biomechanics representing my particularly favorite areas of study.

What’s your favorite film?

With films, I like to get away from what I do in work. So I don’t watch films about sport or action films very much. I am particularly fond of foreign films, usually French.

For a favorite film, I would list 3 that I couldn’t separate: Apocalypse Now, Amadeus and an obscure French Canadian film called Jesus of Montreal.

What can you look forward to in the future?

I feel it is absolutely necessary to constantly seek out new ways to improve the training methods my athletes utilize, so I am looking forward to conducting more research and developing training principles that generate better results in athletic competition. I am also looking forward to developing completely new training systems for rugby. We have borrowed from other sports and disciplines for so long (eg: weightlifting, track, powerlifting), I believe it is time to create our own training systems.

In the workplace health arena, I am looking forward to educating people about better musculoskeletal health management at work. And better education in the effects of aging on health and how we can influence this in the most positive way.

What’s your biggest accomplishment to date?

I have been a part of so many wonderful moments throughout my professional life, but being a part of what may have been the greatest upset in the history of the Rugby World Cup was especially gratifying. I felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment when I was able to see what that victory meant to our athletes and how it ultimately reinforced our club’s commitment to the training regimen we had implemented.

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of the fact that I have been granted the opportunity to help so many people lead better, healthier lives. Whether it is my work with the Japan Rugby Football Union or my work with JointAction, I have been able to apply my knowledge and expertise in a way that has improved the health and well-being of people from all walks of life.

I may be working with a professional athlete one week, and an underground miner the next week. But I can help them perform better, and reduce the impact of injuries and fatigue, and lead more fulfilling and enjoyable lives.