The New Mexico State University Athletics Department’s strength and conditioning program utilizes sophisticated techniques to maximize student-athlete potential.

There have been great advances in the field of strength and conditioning training or performance training in the past 30 years, and “the scientific body of knowledge related to the field has increased exponentially,” says John Taylor, head performance training coach at NMSU.

“What we do today in the profession is, for the most part, now based in science,” Taylor says. “For athletes to achieve success in their chosen sport they must possess and continually enhance their knowledge, skill and abilities in three domains: tactical, technical and physical conditioning.”

Coaches are responsible for the tactical and technical features of each sport and the performance training staff deals with physical conditioning areas of speed, power, agility, strength, anaerobic and aerobic capacity and flexibility.

While physical prowess has always been a part of athletics, Taylor warns against the dangers of the “more is better” philosophy.

“Athletes compete at everything; even in the performance training program,” Taylor says. “They compete to be the strongest, fastest, highest jumper, etc. With this said, they make the mistake of competing from the aspect of who can train the longest and most often. This can lead to injuries, decreases in strength and even emotional problems like burnout and depression caused by overtraining.”

To combat this, performance training professionals employ a technique known as periodization which involves breaking large blocks of time down into smaller, more manageable stages. Training is then designed to allow for variation in volume, intensity, rest and recovery.

“The program provides the student-athlete with a systematic method of physically preparing for the demands of the sport,” says Taylor. “This process ensures the efficient use of the time allowed for training by NCAA regulations.”