Department of Athletics: Strength and Conditioning Policy

Unit Policy

Title

Department of Athletics: Policy on Strength and Conditioning

A. Purpose

  1. This Policy is intended to provide the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Department of Athletics with acceptable procedures regarding services provided to student-athletes by the Department's Strength and Conditioning Unit.
  2. This Policy shall be construed to supplement, not so as to contradict, applicable NCAA, ACC, institutional, and University of North Carolina System policies, as well as the laws and regulations of the State of North Carolina and the United States of America. Please contact the appropriate Executive Team member if there is a perceived conflict between this Policy and any other governing policy, regulation, or law.
  3. Each of these provisions shall apply at all times, including during the summer months.

B. Definitions

For purposes of this Policy, the definitions below shall apply.

  1. "Countable Activities" shall include all team or sport-related actions set forth by NCAA bylaws regulating the maximum time student-athletes may spend on such actions.
  2. "Department" or "Department of Athletics" shall mean the Department of Athletics of UNC.
  3. "Equipment" shall mean exercise equipment located in each Training Facility.
  4. "Executive Team" shall mean the executive leadership of the Department of Athletics, as determined by the Director of Athletics.
  5. "NCAA" shall mean the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
  6. "Non-Countable Activities" shall include typical student-athlete activities and conduct which are not included in the NCAA's definition of Countable Activities.
  7. "Olympic Sports" shall mean all varsity UNC men's and women's athletic programs, excluding Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, and Football.
  8. "Policy" shall mean this Department of Athletics Strength and Conditioning Policy.
  9. "Strength and Conditioning Activity" shall mean any physical activity by a UNC student-athlete which is performed under the supervision of the Strength and Conditioning Staff.
  10. "Strength and Conditioning Staff" shall mean the staff of the Strength and Conditioning Unit.
  11. "Strength and Conditioning Unit" shall specifically mean the Strength and Conditioning unit of the Department.
  12. "Training Facility" shall mean space used specifically for training, strength development, and conditioning of UNC student-athletes.
  13. "UNC" or "University" shall mean the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

C. General Approach of the Department of Athletics Strength and Conditioning Unit

The Strength and Conditioning Unit's staff is committed to enhancing the overall experience of all UNC student-athletes. Program design for each student-athlete is based on an individual-centered, sport-appropriate model. Practical and purposeful training ensures each student-athlete will not only achieve long-term gains in athleticism for competitive success, but that he or she will also do so in an environment that cultivates enthusiasm, discipline, leadership, and teamwork. To accomplish this objective, the Strength and Conditioning Unit's staff shall incorporate performance testing, integrated screening, movement preparation, and various exercises to foster the development of strength, speed, agility, and endurance of student-athletes.

D. Staff Certifications and Training

Each member of the Strength and Conditioning Unit's staff shall maintain all certifications required by the NCAA for the respective position. In addition, each member of the Strength and Conditioning Unit's staff shall maintain current certifications in the use of first aid, automated external defibrillator (AED) machines, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

E. NCAA Compliance

All Department of Athletics Strength and Conditioning Activities must be conducted in compliance with applicable NCAA rules, including those rules pertaining to Countable Activities. Strength and Conditioning Staff should regularly communicate with the Department of Athletics Compliance Office regarding changes to applicable NCAA rules. Among other things, Strength and Conditioning Staff should maintain awareness of distinctions between Countable Activities and Non-Countable Activities as set forth by NCAA rules.

F. Testing and Training Prior to Participation

  1. Incoming student-athletes must be afforded an opportunity to be tested in accordance with the UNC Sickle Cell Trait Policy and must have had a medical examination within the last six (6) months prior to participation in any physical activity, including Strength and Conditioning Activities.
  2. At the beginning of each term and periodically throughout the year, Strength and Conditioning Staff shall provide basic training to student-athletes regarding the safe operation and use of Equipment, as well as general safety precautions during participation in Strength and Conditioning Activities.

G. Disclosure of Injuries or Other Relevant Health Conditions

Prior to any participation in Strength and Conditioning Activities, student-athletes shall disclose to the Strength and Conditioning Staff any injuries, illnesses, or known health concerns which may impact their ability to exercise. Similarly, student-athletes must immediately disclose to the Strength and Conditioning Staff any injury sustained during a Strength and Conditioning Activity. Upon receipt of such information, the Strength and Conditioning Staff shall consult with a member of the Department of Sports Medicine to determine any necessary limitations to the applicable student-athlete's activities.

H. General Safety Precautions

  1. For their safety, all student-athletes participating in Strength and Conditioning Activities are expected to follow instructions of the Strength and Conditioning Staff, unless a student-athlete feels such instructions may pose a risk to his or her health, in which case a student-athlete should promptly contact their Head Coach or Primary Sport Administrator with such safety concerns. Student-athletes should use the appropriate protective Equipment and take proper safety precautions when participating in Strength and Conditioning Activities.
  2. Strength and Conditioning Staff, student-athletes, and other Department of Athletics staff members using any Training Facility are expected to monitor their surroundings for potential safety concerns or any issue which could potentially pose a threat to an individual's health or safety. In the event such an issue is identified, the Strength and Conditioning Staff or other appropriate Department of Athletics or University official should be notified immediately so that it can be addressed in an appropriate manner. Any threat to an individual's safety or security which exceeds a minor issue inherent to Strength and Conditioning Activities should be reported in accordance with the Department's "Up and Out" Incident Reporting Guidelines.

I. Training Facilities

1. Maintenance and Coordination of Use

The Department of Athletics has several Training Facilities in various locations on campus for use by student-athletes, coaches, and staff. These locations include areas in the Dean Smith Center (for Men's Basketball and Men's and Women's Diving), Woollen Gymnasium (for Women's Basketball), the Kenan Football Center (for Football), Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center (for Men's and Women's Tennis), the Anderson Softball Complex (for Softball), Boshamer Stadium (for Baseball), and the Loudermilk Center for Excellence (for other Olympic Sports). All Department of Athletics Training Facilities and fields are maintained either by staff of the Department of Athletics Facilities unit or by the University's Departments of Facilities Services and Grounds.

Department of Athletics coaches should work with the Strength and Conditioning Staff to coordinate student-athletes' usage of Training Facilities.

2. Rules of Use

The use of Training Facilities is a privilege, not a right. All individuals using Training Facilities are expected to comply with the rules of use set forth in this Section. The Strength and Conditioning Staff shall periodically remind users of these rules of use.

  1. Individuals using Training Facilities shall wear appropriate workout attire at all times during Strength and Conditioning Activities. This shall include:
    1. Athletic t-shirts or training tops;
      1. Tops must be more concealing than a tank top or sports bra. Cut-off shirts are prohibited.
    2. Athletic shorts or sweat pants;
      1. Khaki shorts, denim shorts, and cut-off pants are prohibited. Shorts or sweatpants must be properly hemmed.
    3. Appropriate footwear; and
      1. Open toe footwear, boots, and dress shoes are prohibited; and
    4. University-issued or Carolina-colored apparel.
      1. Apparel from other schools is not permitted.
  2. All Equipment shall be returned to the proper location after use.
  3. Equipment shall be wiped down by the user of such Equipment immediately after use. Such Equipment to be wiped down includes, but is not limited to: benches, bikes, treadmills, seats, handles, bars, and weights.
  4. Strength and Conditioning Staff shall be immediately informed of the presence of any blood or other potentially hazardous material on Equipment or elsewhere in a Training Facility.
  5. Bar collars must always be used with barbells.
  6. "Spotters" should always be used when attempting heavy lifts or performing exercises which pose a threat of a weight falling on an individual. Spotters may include Strength and Conditioning Staff or any other able-bodied individual.
  7. Personal music, earplugs, and headphones are prohibited during team training sessions.
  8. All bags and clothing shall be stored in appropriate storage areas. Strength and Conditioning Staff shall not be responsible for monitoring such areas or for any lost, stolen, or damaged personal items.
  9. Only snacks and beverages appropriate for consumption during exercise are permitted for Department of Athletics staff and other individuals in workout areas of Training Facilities. Student-athletes may not bring any other outside food or drink into the Training Facility.
  10. Recovery drink cans and other trash shall be discarded in designated recycling bins or trash cans.

3. Routine Cleaning

The Strength and Conditioning Staff shall ensure that each Training Facility is maintained in a clean and sanitary condition by working closely with the janitorial and environmental services staff to coordinate cleaning procedures and schedules. Targeted cleaning procedures should focus on surfaces which are commonly touched, especially those surfaces which come in contact with bare skin on a daily basis.

4. Inspection of Equipment

The Strength and Conditioning Staff shall inspect all Equipment on a regular basis for general cleanliness and the presence of blood, bodily fluids, and other hazardous materials. Upon discovery of blood, bodily fluids, or other hazardous materials, the Strength and Conditioning Staff shall take appropriate action to disinfect the Equipment.

a. Handling of Blood or Infectious Materials

The Strength and Conditioning Staff shall ensure that appropriate items of personal protective equipment (including, but potentially not limited to, general-purpose utility gloves) are worn during all cleaning of blood or other potentially infectious materials. Appropriate items of personal protective equipment shall also be worn during other decontamination procedures. For the initial clean-up of blood or other potentially infectious materials, an approved hospital disinfectant chemical germicide must be used.

J. Role of Team Coaches

Department of Athletics coaches shall support the efforts of the Strength and Conditioning Staff to provide appropriate services in accordance with applicable legislation. The Strength and Conditioning Staff must be empowered with the authority to cancel or modify a student-athlete's workout(s) for health and safety reasons. Similarly, a student-athlete's Head Coach must also have the authority to cancel or modify such student-athlete's workout(s) in the event the Head Coach has concerns about the student-athlete's health, safety, academic performance, or other matters related to the well-being of the individual or team.

Department of Athletics coaches should work with the Strength and Conditioning Staff at appropriate times throughout the year to assist student-athletes on their team(s) in improving their physical conditions and fitness to compete.

K. Outside Individuals Using Training Facilities

Outside individuals using Training Facilities are expected to comply with all provisions of this Policy and the Department of Athletics Facilities Use Policy. The Strength and Conditioning staff shall monitor Training Facilities to help ensure that any such individuals have completed and submitted the appropriate Release and Attestation of NCAA Compliance forms. In addition, the Strength and Conditioning Staff shall monitor the activities of any such individuals for potential safety concerns, potential NCAA rules violations, or other inappropriate conduct. Outside individuals using Training Facilities are expected to immediately disclose to the Strength and Conditioning Staff any serious injuries or health concerns which could pose an imminent threat to their well-being.

L. Non-Compliance

Non-compliance may subject an offending individual to revocation of privileges to use Training Facilities and/or further disciplinary action as determined to be appropriate by the Director of Athletics, up to and including termination of a Department of Athletics staff member's employment or, in the case of a student-athlete, termination of the student-athlete's athletics-based aid. In addition to any such actions, noncompliance may also result in penalties imposed by the NCAA.

Publication Details

Policy Number: 00089016

Date Last Reviewed: Spring 2020

Date of Next Review: July 2023

Responsible for Review: Executive Team Member with Oversight of Strength and Conditioning

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