University of Detroit Mercy Athletics

MISSION STATEMENT

In support of the University and the Athletic Department Missions, the Strength and Conditioning Department physically prepares the student-athlete for the rigors of intercollegiate athletics. Our mission is to enhance sport performance and minimize the risk of injury by improving strength, power, speed, and conditioning through a sport-specific program administered in a safe, competitive environment.

PHILOSOPHY

The philosophy of training is based off of the SAID principle, specific adaptations to imposed demands, and uses the Conjugate Method to execute a comprehensive strength and conditioning program.  The training program is a unique approach to building speed, power and muscular strength and endurance specific to sport.  This is accomplished by focusing on injury prevention through the use of bands, free weights, machines, SAQ (speed, agility and quickness) drills, and sport specific conditioning.  Athletes are able to prepare specifically for their sport and will be prepared for all of the rigors associated with it by performing ground based movements to develop kinesthetic awareness, muscle fiber diameter and neural adaptations.  These essential components will lead to athletes achieving sustained competitive excellence.

Physically preparing the athlete, for the upcoming season, will allow the athlete to participate at and sustain a high level of competitiveness, as well as, increase the athlete’s work capacity.  In developing a sport-specific training protocol, ten components of physical training must be adhered to in order to prepare for elite competition.  Physical preparation facilitates mental preparation.  The components of training are:

Within the program, flexibility and injury prevention are paramount.  Proper flexibility routines are an important part of an athlete maximizing their athletic potential.  Athletes will perform stretches depending on the workout; soft tissue work, dynamic stretching simulating athletic movements, hip mobility work and variable resisted active isolated dynamic stretches with bands.  This is one aspect that is often overlooked by many different programs.  If done correctly, flexibility routines can increase the range of motion within the joints, increase strength and speed throughout the entire body and prevent injuries. 

The best way to train the body and train successfully is to carry out a balanced exercise program which uses all 3 planes of motion and doesn’t neglect areas of the body.  This creates balance within the body and therefore ensures no inefficient muscles or muscle groups which will cause posture imbalances or a lack of performance.  This program adheres to this principle by performing special physical preparation power movements emphasizing force production, general physical preparation movements focusing on technique and strength gains, and prehabilitative exercises to prevent injury which leads to championship level performance.   

The periodic plan of the program is designed specifically for each sport and is mindful of various training volumes.  The high level of intensity, effort, and mental readiness expected will never diminish; however, the volume of workload, duration of training, and exercise prescription will change depending on the period of the year.  The goal of the program is to allow athletes to peak at key times throughout the year utilizing different modalities and progressions.  Following this program with a RELENTLESS ATTACK leads to CHAMPIONS.