Director of Athletic Performance -
Mitch Hivner, MS CSCS
Fitness Centers on campus: https://athletics.desales.edu/facilities/fitness-centers/
Philosophy
The primary goals of the strength and conditioning program at DSU are to increase athleticism, reduce injury, and increase mental/physical toughness. Athletes perform a variety of exercises within our program, but contains an emphasis on free-weight, ground based, multi joint, explosive exercises. Our athletes are taught that technique and efficiency are important factors to achieve the greatest benefit out of their training. All programs are evidence-based and include forms of progressive overload and periodization.
- Athletic Performance Enhancement
- Priority of training will be on movements, not muscles
- Explosive power through training the posterior chain and triple extension of our athletes
- Core strength - The development of the core lifts (Bench Press, Squat, Deadlift, Clean, & Overhead Press)
- Train by using athletic movements/basic motor skills
- Develop aerobic/anaerobic conditioning programs
- Adaptability of the “core” muscles to different planes of motion
- Programs will be sequential and progressive
- Injury Prevention
- Develop balanced strength and stability around joints
- Train balance and proprioception
- Purposeful strength and flexibility training of injury prone areas in general and for sport specific movements
- Attain optimal range of motion and flexibility for all joints and muscles
- Develop Discipline, Leadership, & Mental/Physical Toughness
- Provide a safe, competitive, energetic, and positive training environment
- Provide education and resources on the topics of sports nutrition and recovery
DeSales Strength and Conditioning YouTube Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@desalesstrength7750/videos
