For competitive athletes, staying in shape goes beyond jogging and lifting weights.
Jason Kilby, the head coach of the men's soccer team at N.C. Wesleyan College, oversees 40 players, most of whom are vying for a starting spot on the team.
"The competition is pretty fierce," he said.
The difference between who gets the nod and who doesn't could be in how dedicated a player is during practice and during the offseason.
No matter where the player's natural talents are, solid conditioning will improve their performance, Kilby said.
Aerobic exercises like jogging and footwork drills help build up endurance, while weight training and short-distance sprints build strength.
"A lot of kids at a high level want to compete all the time," he said.
In high school sports, coaches sometimes have to work to motivate their athletes to condition.
For Kenneth Grantham, the head football coach at Nash Central High School, that's the toughest part.
Because there is body-to-body contact, football focuses more on strength training than most other sports.
For freshman on the squad, it's often their first time being away from home.
"They have to be able to budget their time."
"They're like a yo-yo, up and down all season," he said.
During summer months, heat has a dramatic effect on athletes.
Kilby's team typically trains from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. to avoid the hottest parts of the day during the preseason.
Mike Caffey, an emergency medical technician who responds to sports injuries at Nash Central, offers a handful of tips for athletes who are working to stay in shape.
"There have been misconceptions that you can overhydrate," Caffey said.
If they drink too much water, they're going to vomit."