Training occurs in a variety of modalities, including combinations of free weights, selectorized machines, and dumbbells. Missouri Southern student-athletes have their choice of cardiovascular equipment, including upright bikes, stair climbers, treadmills, and slide boards. Reaction balls, step hurdles, timing devices, and medicine balls are a few examples of the numerous training aids providing student-athletes the opportunity to enhance their skill related components such as speed, coordination, reaction time, and agility. Foremost, the goals of the program include reducing injury, or the severity of injury. Secondly, stronger muscles are capable of producing more force, which enables athletes to perform their sport-related skills more efficiently.
Athletes participate in a battery of tests to identify strengths and weaknesses.
Based upon the results of these tests, goals are set and individualized programs are prepared which facilitate attainment of the goals. During the off-season, teams are required to participate in strength activities three days a week, and conditioning exercise on alternate days during the week. In-season, strength training takes place two times each week while conditioning activities are regulated to participation in the athlete's specific sport. Each athlete has a computerized file detailing the exercises, sets, and repetitions that they are to perform. The software program allows the staff to monitor a student-athlete's progress in order to add balance and variety to each workout.