Ottawa University

The Ottawa University Athletic Performance Program will be a positive contribution to the student-athlete’s overall experience. Positively impacting all facets of life at Ottawa University and beyond.

The Athletic Performance philosophy is to train for sport-specific power. The definition of power is: strength x speed = power. Strength training, Olympic weightlifting, linear speed, agility and lateral movement, ply metrics, flexibility, balance, and core/stability training all need to be performed to achieve maximum power, muscle balance, and injury prevention. All of these components are also relative to each other; example given, as the more power the athlete has, the more effective their agility is coming in and out of cuts.

Mobility along with a strong core and posterior chain is necessary to maintain posture throughout all full ranges of motion. Proper posture increases force production throughout the entire body, assists in the correct muscle firing sequence in the hips and low back area, maximizes shoulder and back health, and enhances the safety of the athlete’s training. This can be especially important in today’s society which is filled with people that have poor muscle imbalances and poor posture. Flexibility to comfortably go through the full range of motion with proper technique in all lifting and running drills is also necessary. For the purpose of both safety and performance in linear speed, agilities, and plyometrics; the program starts with fundamental teaching and baseline physical demands while progressing into more complex and sport-specific agility drills, sprinting distances, and energy system training

The weight room is critical to maximize strength, power, and speed training along with eliminating any muscle imbalances or poor posture. Free weights will maximize the development of coordination and stability while also allowing the performance of high power and speed movements to take place in the program.  All weight training movements are also taught in a fundamental movement progression for both safety and performance. The weightlifting movements and variations of movements such as the squat, bench press, and pull-ups are great for lower and upper body strength. Olympic weightlifting will be our most valuable movements in maximizing speed and power.