High school athletes’ bodies are still developing and it’s important to monitor what they are eating and putting into their bodies to become healthy adults.

Supplements may seem enticing to teenagers to gain strength and muscle quickly; but hard work, exercise and a healthy diet are what is needed to become stronger. Athletes must also have dedication to develop routines and healthy habits to stay in shape during the offseason.

“The offseason is probably the most important time. It’s where you do all your growth,” said Chad McMullin, head power lifting and strength coach at Warren Central High School. “Getting bigger, getting stronger and getting into better shape so they can perform at their position at the highest level, and hopefully stay injury free as well.”

Warren Central has begun summer conditioning workouts and injury prevention is a key emphasis. McMullin shows his players good techniques when lifting weights as a way to prevent injuries.

The workouts incorporate a lot of traditional power movements and Olympic lifts such as push presses, cleans and jerks. Olympic movements are good for explosive strength and power movements are good for developing maximum power and strength.

McMullin said when you combine those different aspects, it allows the muscles to get healthier, stronger and protects their joints, as he hopes it keeps the athletes healthy.

According to the Mississippi High School Activities Association, coaches cannot promote any specific supplements, and McMullin discourages his kids from taking them as their bodies are continuing to grow and develop naturally.

Instead, McMullin encourages them to develop a diet consisting of healthy proteins, a moderate amount of fats and good carbohydrates. McMullin also encourages his players to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and Gatorade.

Players Liam Hopson and B.J. Knight understand the importance of staying in shape during the offseason, but also know how easy it is for athletes to get sidetracked.

Hopson said with a lot of time on their hands, they can easily develop bad eating habits.

“In the beginning of the season, especially when it gets real hot, you have to be the best shape you can be in,” Hopson said.

Knight and Hopson stay in shape by running 200-yards at the end of practice and set a specific time limit to push themselves.

Knight also drinks plenty of water during his workouts to stay hydrated. Fruit and Gatorade are two of the things both players eat to fuel their bodies.

“While we’re in school between January and May, it is a little easier for us to keep an eye on them and make sure they are doing what they need to do to stay in shape and take the next step to get in better shape,” McMullin said.

Coaches preach to their players to come to as many workouts as they can. During the summer players go away with their families for vacation, but coaches try to stay in contact with their players as much as they can to make sure they are in shape for the season.

From McMullin’s experience, breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. He said breakfast sets your body up for the rest of the day and helps light the metabolic fire to get you going.

“If you skip breakfast you’re playing catch-up for the rest of the day,” McMullin said.