The NCAA Sport Science Institute works in collaboration with the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports and other experts to provide guidance to member schools related to training and performance for student-athletes. 

For athletes to perform at their best, they must have healthy fuel and training. Member schools are working hard to making sure student-athletes have both. 

What guidance is available on supporting healthy training and performance for student-athletes?

Promoting adequate nutrition, hydration and sleep. 

To have enough energy for peak performance, student-athletes must fuel their bodies with a balanced diet, proper hydration and restorative sleep. The NCAA offers its member schools educational resources on nutrition topics including disordered eating, fueling during exercise and understanding nutritional/dietary supplements. It offers information on hydration timing and signs and consequences of dehydration. The Sport Science Institute also has worked with leading medical organizations, behavioral health centers and content matter experts to provide guidance about the importance of sleep, optimal sleep for college athletes, and sleep patterns and disorders. In addition, weight-loss and hydration break rules in NCAA sports such as wrestling and soccer aim to protect students from becoming dehydrated or undernourished.  

Implementing evidence-based periodization, acclimatization and performance strategies.

NCAA committees regularly evaluate safety guidelines, playing rules and equipment standards to determine if modifications might help improve the playing experience and minimize the risk of injury to student-athletes. The membership has developed acclimatization rules for football and other sports to ensure students-athletes have time to gradually acclimate to heat and increased physical activity. In addition, the CSMAS has promoted periodization — varying training to optimize performance and recovery — to prevent overuse injuries and developed resources based on research to help schools develop safe training practices.