Name of Policy Athletic Performance Program Policy Number 0084831 Date Last Reviewed October 1, 2015 Date of Next Review October 2017 Responsible for Review Senior Woman Administrator
VII. Athletic Performance Program
A. Because each student-athlete’s physical well-being is essential to success both as a student and as an athlete, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s (“University” or “UNC”) Department of Athletics (“Department”) and the Department of Sports Medicine take responsibility for helping student-athletes reach and maintain optimum physical conditioning. To help achieve this goal and to minimize the possibility of injury or re-injury, the Department of Sports Medicine has developed a quality Athletic Performance Program. When an injury does occur, however, the Department is also committed to a comprehensive rehabilitation program. It is important to remember that if a student-athlete has been injured, he or she must have clearance from the Department of Sports Medicine before resuming exercise.
B. Student-athletes are encouraged to maintain the best physical condition possible. The Director of the Athletic Performance Program will develop a conditioning program tailored to each student- athlete’s specific needs. The goal of the Athletic Performance Program is to assist student-athletes in reaching their full physical potential with special emphasis on athletic performance, flexibility, speed, and endurance, for this will help reduce the risk of injuries that result from weak muscular structures.
C. The Department of Sports Medicine has 2 modern Athletic Performance Program facilities that may be used by UNC student-athletes. The football program trains in the Kenan Football Center, while the majority of UNC’s other sports programs train in the Loudermilk Center for Excellence. Both facilities provide the most advanced and practical equipment available. Boshamer Stadium, the Smith Center, and Carmichael Arena each have satellite Athletic Performance Program facilities used by baseball, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball, respectively.
D. Athletic Performance Program Facility Schedules
1. Unless otherwise posted, the Athletic Performance Program facility in the Loudermilk Center for Excellence will be open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM in the fall and spring semesters, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM during the summer sessions, and as designated by Department staff during semester breaks.
2. Unless otherwise posted, the Athletic Performance Program facility in the Kenan Football Center will be open Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 7:00 PM in the fall and spring semesters, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the summer sessions, and from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM during semester breaks.
3. Unless otherwise posted, the Athletic Performance Program facility in the Dean E. Smith Center will be open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM in the fall and spring semesters, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM during the summer sessions, and as designated by Department staff during semester breaks.
4. Unless otherwise posted, the Athletic Performance Program facility in Woollen Gym for Women’s Basketball will be open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM in the fall and spring semesters, 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM during the summer sessions, and as designated by Department staff during semester breaks.
E. Time Schedules
Because a large number of people use the Athletic Performance Program facilities, time schedules have been developed to eliminate congestion and to facilitate training sessions. Student-athletes’ sessions are normally scheduled by team. However, due to class conflicts and other scheduling challenges, exceptions
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F. Adherence to the Schedule
All Athletic Performance Program facility users must adhere to the established time schedules (except in cases of alternative scheduling arrangements made for those who have conflicts). However, the Athletic Performance Program facilities do not operate like health clubs, where people can come and go as they please. Instead, the Athletic Performance Program staff makes an effort to cooperate with coaches and student-athletes in establishing sound training programs which are conducted regularly at specific times.
G. Facility Rules
1. Athletic Performance Program facility rules have been established to ensure the safety of everyone. The rules set forth in this section shall apply to all persons who use any Athletic Performance Program facility. 2. Everyone must adhere to scheduled workout times (unless an exception is granted by Athletic Performance Program staff). 3. A member of the Athletic Performance Program staff must be present for all workouts in any Athletic Performance Program facility. 4. Food and drinks are not permitted. 5. Tobacco and spitting are not permitted. 6. Clean workout gear (including shirts) is mandatory. Tank tops, hats, and clothing with the name of another institution may not be worn. 7. Athletic shoes are required. Flip flops, sandals, muddy shoes, and bare feet are not acceptable. 8. All weights and dumbbells must be returned to their proper racks. Weights are not to be left on the floor. 9. Only members of the Athletic Performance Program staff may adjust the stereo system. 10. Writing on the mirrors is prohibited. 11. Both men and women must wear shorts over tights. 12. No iPods or cell phones are allowed during structured workouts. 13. In the event of a disciplinary problem, the Athletic Performance Program staff has the authority to dismiss a student-athlete from the facility.
H. Work Environment
1. The work environment in the Athletic Performance Program facilities is serious in nature and intended to help student-athletes remain focused on achieving their goals. At the same time, the staff hopes that student-athletes will feel comfortable in the environment and enjoy their training sessions. Socializing and encouraging teammates while training is acceptable and, in fact, is desired (provided it does not take precedence over the actual workout). The majority of time in an Athletic Performance Program complex should be spent working to improve fitness. Loitering and bothering others is a waste of everyone’s valuable time.
2. All student-athletes who use the Athletic Performance Program facilities should do so in a productive manner. Student-athletes should arrive at their scheduled times, obtain their workout programs, and complete the sessions with a positive attitude and minimal time wasted. All student-athletes should approach training sessions as opportunities to improve so they can perform better.
I. Safety
1. The Athletic Performance Program facilities are safe environments for everyone provided that common sense is utilized. Student-athletes should always think cautiously when
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performing any exercise. The Athletic Performance Program complexes were established so individuals would have opportunities to become stronger and more resistant to injuries. These are not places where injuries should occur.
2. Student-athletes should always be aware of other people in the surrounding areas when performing any exercise. If someone is in the way or too close, there is always the possibility of inadvertently hitting them or dropping a weight on him or her. When doing machine exercises, make sure the spotter has his or her hands clear of the machine before beginning the exercise.
3. Before starting a workout program, a student-athlete should always notify an Athletic Performance Program staff member of any injuries that have occurred since their last communication with that Athletic Performance Program staff member. A student-athlete should contact an Athletic Performance Program staff member immediately if he or she is injured. Similarly, an Athletic Performance Program staff member should be notified immediately if someone else gets hurt while working out or while otherwise present in any Athletic Performance Program facility. An athletic trainer will then be called to evaluate the injury. If the injury is severe, the Student Health Center or Emergency Room should also be promptly contacted.
J. Spotters
1. “Spotters” serve 2 basic purposes and should:
a. Motivate and encourage maximum effort; and b. Supervise workouts to promote the safest environment possible.
2. Student-athletes should always have someone spot them when performing potentially dangerous exercises (including, but not limited to: the bench press, the incline presses, and the squat). The spotter should be prepared to assist the lifter when the weight cannot be raised. Spotters should make sure they watch the lifter closely because the lifter may require assistance at any time.
K. Sports Nutrition
1. Nutritional counseling for all student-athletes is available from the Department’s Sports Nutritionists. Individual nutritional program consultations and eating disorder counseling sessions are available upon request. Student-athletes are asked to direct specific questions regarding eating concerns to the Nutritionist assigned to their respective team.
2. The Department currently supports a fueling station for the University’s student-athletes. The Department recognizes the increased nutritional needs of student-athletes and the importance of proper nutrient timing to maximize muscle recovery and optimize performance. Student-athletes may receive a snack or meal to supplement their daily intake between the hours of 7:30 AM and 12:30 PM from Monday through Friday on the third floor of the Loudermilk Center for Excellence. The extensive menu provides both carbohydrate-rich foods and protein-rich foods for optimal recovery. Student-athletes are educated by the full-time sports dietitians on how to effectively utilize the fueling station to meet their respective needs.
L. Supplements
The Department neither endorses nor approves of any specific performance-enhancing supplements. Student-athletes must receive approval from a UNC Sports Medicine Physician prior to using supplements of any kind.
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