2024 NSCA National Conference

1. Utilize athlete-based training techniques to maximize results and target the diagnosed needs of your older clients with and without Parkinson's disease.
2. Recognize the physiological changes that govern the use of these programs.
3. Understand the relationships among improvements in neuromuscular function and measures of independence and quality of life.

Lecture

All attendees and exhibitors welcome

1. Explore functional anatomy of the deep core.
2. Explore concepts of reflexive stabilization, subsystems, doming, diastasis recti and more.
3. Learn intrinsic core assessments and a systematic progression to treating and training.

Bridge the Gap Lecture

1. Appreciate how data can be used define a training system, which is evidence based, objective, and free from cognitive bias
2. Appreciate that athlete engagement is affected by the team’s vision and culture, and thus encourage delegates to spend time formalising these, as well as their own personal training philosophy. 

Lecture

1. Identify advanced training techniques available that can be implemented to enhance muscle hypertrophy.
2. Design resistance training programs that utilize advanced training techniques to enhance muscle hypertrophy
3. Describe the potential limitations and concerns of advanced training techniques to enhance muscle hypertrophy

Hands-On

1. Review the current state of evidence on ACL injury prevention based on past discoveries in the field
2. Detail the limitations with current Strength and Conditioning practice used for coaching for motor control and skill performance to support ACL injury prevention
3. Discuss theoretical constructs that support a novel approach to coaching motor skills to optimize enhanced neuromuscular and sensorimotor control
4. Evaluate the future potential of the integrated data fusion techniques supported by CNS and brain derived inputs for training injury prevention and performance enhancement

Lecture

1. Implement methods of building structural integrity and movement variability to improve resilience and provide an avenue for long-term high-performance — through a full season or an entire career.
2. Understand the connection between physical, mental, social, and emotional states and their impact on performance, as well as strategies for creating an integrated program to improve performance longevity and overall well-being.

Lecture sponsored by Perform Better

1. Identify the nutritional demands of the tactical athlete.
2. Understand how to implement a food first, but not food-only approach.
3. Identify the top dietary supplements considerations for health and performance.
4. Understand how to "meet them where they are at."

Research Lecture

1. Provide opportunities for athletes to use properly positioned foot contacts to protect during cutting.
2. Teach the concept of creating stiffness during repositioning of plant legs.
3. Allow athletes to work versus artificial momentum to realize the forces they must deal with in change of direction training.

Lecture sponsored by Perform Better

1. Have core values for your program & a Strength & Conditioning philosophy. Be ready and able to explain it.
2. How to create an Open Door Policy for coaches, parents & community.
3. How to develop a trust level with your student-athletes & private sector coaches.

Lecture

1. Explore functional anatomy of the deep core.
2. Explore concepts of reflexive stabilization, subsystems, doming, diastasis recti and more.
3. Learn intrinsic core assessments and a systematic progression to treating and training.

Bridge the Gap Hands-On

1. Define growth and maturation (along with other key terms in that niche) and how it affects the youth athlete.
2. Learn how specific metrics can be used to help make informed decisions in the best interest of the athlete.
3. Explain the different types of growth related injuries in youth athletes and how they can be managed by both medical and performance staff.

Research Lecture

1. Recognize the presentation of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome based on client reports and movement analysis
2. Be familiar with appropriate exercise modifications for clients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome
3. Recognize prevention strategies for individuals with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome 

Lecture

1. Brief literature review of eccentric training and its potential benefits to athletic performance.
2. How to use your own work environment to experiment with different training protocols and assessments.
3. Identifying practical and feasible applications of eccentric training and how to assess its qualities in a collegiate setting.

Lecture

1. Identify the research that has been conducted with creatine supplementation and BFR exercise
2. Describe the effects of creatine supplementation in conjunction with BFR exercise
3. Illustrate the potential benefits of creatine and BFR use individually for strength, body composition and neuromuscular function, as well as utilized together.

Research Lecture

All attendees and exhibitors welcome.

Light breakfast provided.

1. Discuss the history and evolution of BFR training
2. Highlight the relevant science and theory of application
3. Discuss parameters and indications for BFR training
4. Highlight relevant research on outcomes after utilizing BFR
5. Provide potential frameworks for utilization of BFR

Lecture

1. Present a rehabilitation model that integrates sports science within the multidisciplinary healthcare team, and discuss the roles/responsibilities of a sports scientist working within a rehabilitation setting.
2. Describe the various devices/technologies used to assess objective performance and rehabilitation progress, as well as cost-effective technological alternatives. 
3. Present the methodology utilized in synthesizing/interpreting raw data collected during objective performance testing, as well as review how to present the data for use within the shared decision-making process

Lecture

1. Discuss previous literature that has examined the effect of training with weightlifting movements and their derivatives
2. Discuss how different exercise and load combinations may benefit strength and power characteristics
3. Provide practical examples of how to implement weightlifting derivatives to benefit strength and power development

Lecture

1. Scientific background of sprinting performance
2. Understanding effective sprinting mechanics in team sport athletes
3. Practical applications for speed development: year-round programming, periodized drills, cues, and the all-important logistical considerations for large group, NCAA-regulated settings.

Bridge the Gap Lecture

1. Introduce the concept of optimizing both recovery and performance as a ratio of cellular energy:cellular stress
2. Explain the "benefit trifecta" of photobiomodulation to enhance both sides of this ratio (increase cellular energy capacity AND reduce cellular stress)
3. Provide examples of how this has been applied in the research and case examples

Lecture

1. Demonstrate employable strategies within the current framework of a traditional training program where speed, agility and plyometrics can be integrated without overhauling an entire program
2. Elicit time effective methods that increase impact points of movement skills and proficiency that maximize impact of concurrent training and better methods to potentiate movement skills within your program.
3. Increase coaching acumen from training to the field via enhanced daily preparation strategies.

Hands-On

Lunch provided.

1. Learn how training can be scaled from the athletic population to be implemented in special populations to elicit the greatest outcomes in terms of human performance.

Lecture

1. Establish a framework which can be applied to any and all sporting contexts, helping to determine how to select jump metrics.
2. Provide justification for why metrics may differ, depending on the purpose of the jump test (e.g., performance profiling, assessment of neuromuscular fatigue, or injury rehabilitation).

Lecture

1. Provide case-based examples of BFR in rehabilitation as well as strength and conditioning.
2. Demonstrate how strength and conditioning professionals can implement BFR into training practices and in conjunction with the terminal phases of rehabilitation. 

Practical

1. The imact of diversity and inclusion (multiple viewpoints) on enhancing athletic performance.
2. Exploring sport science, data, and technology from a modern coaching prospective (Gen Z).
3. Gen Z's influence on the future of coaching.

Lecture

1. Evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of pre-participation screening within the context of injury prediction and prevention.
2. Contrast a “global” injury prevention strategy (for all athletes), a “high-risk” strategy (for the most susceptible athletes only), and a “hybrid” strategy that blends elements of both.
3. Discuss reasons for screening besides risk stratification, including detecting current injuries, gathering baseline data to assess recovery, and building relationships with athletes.

Lecture

1. Scientific background of sprinting performance
2. Understanding effective sprinting mechanics in team sport athletes
3. Practical applications for speed development: year-round programming, periodized drills, cues, and the all-important logistical considerations for large group, NCAA-regulated settings.

Bridge the Gap Practical

1. Identify the complexity of the motor unit firing rate and recruitment patterns based on contraction intensity and muscle tested.
2. Describe studies that have directly examined motor unit firing rates and recruitment patterns pre- and post-resistance exercise training.
3. Recognize strengths and weaknesses of previous work and discuss what must be done in future studies.

Research Lecture

1. Identify relevant key performance indicators measurable with tracking devices in team sports setting.
2. Organize data collection and assess training efficacy.
3. Report and communicate information to stakeholders (coaching staff, medical staff).

Lecture

1. Provide a framework to critically analyse current return to play assessment protocols
2. Be able to able to design assessment strategies that accurately identify residual deficits following injury
3. Interpret test information to able to effectively design programs in order to promote test-train integration

Lecture

Research Lecture

1. Understand the limitations and concerns of using body fat percentage when assessing an athlete's body composition.
2. Know how to calculate fat-free mass index and why it is superior to using absolute measures of fat-free mass with athletes.
3. Interpret fat-free mass index values and understand how they can be used in athletic settings.

Research Lecture

***Limited availability - additional purchase - RSVP required***

Sponsored in part by Matrix

Lecture

1. Understand how improving folding, falling, and rolling abilities can enhance sprint performance.
2. Demonstrate the proper sequence and timing of the leg switch in the gait cycle.
3. Learn applied drills and coaching cues that enhance sprinting performance. 

Lecture

1. Establish a definition of sport science in the context of higher education and collegiate sport.
2. Highlight perspectives from both a sport scientist and a strength coach and the lessons they’ve learned in creating a thriving sport science program from the ground up.
3. Explore a conceptual framework for implementing a sport science program at their university with limited personnel and/or funding.
   

Lecture

Lecture

1. Construct a research philosophy that maximizes sport science application
2. Ensure that research; relates to an athletes’ technical and tactical sport performance, can provide actionable data with minimal turnaround, and is presented in an easily understood medium
3. Involve athletes and coaches in research decision-making – they are the experts 

Lecture

Lecture