As sports conditioning grows in popularity, many view it as important for inexperienced and returning players alike. Conditioning consists of preseason exercises combining weight lifting, plyometrics and other body strengthening techniques. Extra preparation and practice offers athletes both physical and mental preparedness for the upcoming sports season.
Conditioning can benefit players by giving them the upper hand against competition, including sports that favor from continuous training, such as wrestling. Wrestler senior Umar Mundzir shared how having the extra practice time as well as having the right technique for wrestling can boost a wrestler’s performance during meets.
“If they don’t have the conditioning but they have the technique, they could either win the match in the first round. If the match does go on in the later rounds, he’s not going to have enough conditioning to perform at his best,” Mundzir said.
The performance of the sport may not be the only aspect of a team that suffers when players miss conditioning. Field hockey and soccer player junior Sora Pham explained that players could lack both the fitness and the bonds between their fellow players by not participating in conditioning, or not being provided the opportunity to do so.
“Without conditioning, a team would likely lack the physical and mental resilience needed for a successful season,” Pham said. “The overall team dynamic might suffer as well, as players wouldn’t have the same opportunities to bond and build camaraderie.”
For many sports, conditioning is seen as the key to succeeding in a season. Boys varsity basketball coach Rob Toloy feels that the three to four extra weeks of practice players get is essential to building skills and getting players ready for the intensity of a season.
“Especially for the way we play because we play in a very fast up-tempo style of the game in high school basketball and we pressure full court the entire game, so preseason conditioning is extremely important,” Toloy said.
The importance of conditioning varies between each sport, bringing different positives and negatives. Girls varsity soccer coach Brad Comstock shared that extra training and staying in shape is important for soccer players because of the consistent running during their games.
“Especially soccer because you run basically three to five miles every game,” Comstock said. “If you’re not in shape, you’re not gonna last on the field very long.”
Moreover, Pham explained the main benefits of conditioning being key for athletes to perform at their best during games and how it improves many aspects of their abilities.
“Conditioning is super important for athletes and teams across all kinds of sports,” Pham said. “It helps improve physical fitness, like building endurance, strength, speed and agility, which are all crucial for performing at your best.”
Although conditioning offers benefits, it has its downsides. Soccer player senior Kacy Carlos shared that there are many drawbacks of pushing oneself too hard during conditioning, and an athlete’s health can be impacted by the additional workouts.
“You can always pass out if you’re not hydrated enough,” Carlos said. “You can throw up… there’s always gonna be a negative side, but that’s always to everything.”
Other than sports conditioning improving an athlete’s physical condition, it also can benefit the bond between players, such as athletes being able to assist training teammates who are not on the same skill level. Water polo and swim and dive athlete senior Fernanda Carreon discussed a way players help one another, creating more of a dynamic with each other.
“It’s a challenge for all of us to reach the same level of conditioning… people who have more conditioning, they help you to improve your skill.” Carreon said.
Toloy shared that overall, conditioning reaches beyond improving one’s physical self. It can also benefit an athlete mentally and help boost confidence.
“It gets them into shape, and they feel better about themselves. They’re more confident when they come out and they get to practice because they’re in better shape,” Toloy said.