Which of the following is NOT a principle of conditioning?

Maximizing stress is not considered a principle of conditioning. In athletic training, conditioning principles focus on optimizing physical performance and achieving fitness goals while ensuring safety and decreasing the risk of injury.

Warm-up is essential as it prepares the body for exercise, increasing blood flow to muscles and enhancing flexibility, which helps prevent injuries. Intensity refers to the level of difficulty of the exercise, and finding the right intensity is crucial for effective conditioning—too little will not yield results, while too much can lead to overtraining. Consistency is fundamental as it emphasizes the importance of regular training sessions to achieve long-term improvements in performance and fitness.

Maximizing stress as a standalone principle could lead to overtraining and injury, as it implies pushing the body beyond safe limits without consideration for recovery or adaptation, which are vital aspects of effective conditioning. Thus, the focus in conditioning should be on balanced stress, allowing the body to adapt and strengthen gradually.