2018 NSCA National Conference

Room: 133-134

1. Review the latest scientific support of targeted training for acceleration as it applies to strength, movement, and plyometric/power methods.
2. Introduce specific practical applications for resistance training, movement/speed training, and plyometric/power training which best targets improvements in on-field/on-track/on-court acceleration capacities.
3. Demonstrate and learn by doing specific and targeted practical applications for improving on-field/on-court/on-track acceleration via resistance training, movement/speed training, and plyometric/power training.

Room: 133-134

1. Define the concept of reflexive stabilization and why it is so important to athletes
2. Describe the difference between macro- and micro-stability and discuss how it relates to injury risk.
3. Learn ground-up approach to activation that incorporates brain, breath, and barefoot training.

Room: 135-136

1. Learn to identify weak points and correct them in the major lifts.
2. Discuss how to correctly select warm-ups and primary and accessory exercises to address these weak points.
3. Learn how to rotate pressures and modify movements in order to keep lifting and progressing safely.

Room: 134

1. Learn an organized way of assessing and teaching integrated movement principles and techniques that will improve movement efficiency.
2. Learn how to effectively teach and perform yoga movements.
3. Learn effective cueing, as well as how to teach integrated movement and how to assess movement.

Room: Hall J

1. Review the scientific support for more specialized strength training prescriptions for various stages of development from 9 – 18 years of age.
2. Introduce applications of data/science supported to age-specific programming and planning for resistance exercise.
3. Show practical examples of programming applications in a real-world mass-volume setting.

Room: Hall K

1. Learn integration of trunk and spine preparation for optimal advanced speed work with high level athletes, targeting absolute speed and overspeed training for running athletes and specificity for overhead athletes.
2. Identify exercise sequences with the various motions of the trunk and spine, such as flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral flexion (side bending).
3. Learn specific exercise variations within each sequence and how it affects the various aspects of these trunk, spine, and core muscles.
4. Learn how to implement all aspects of trunk work (basic strength, stabilization, and integrated) into a periodization program for clients of all ages and levels.

Room: Hall K

1. Learn how to use wearable resistance training (WRT) technology to attain sport-specific strength and power gains.
2. Understand the “why” of WRT as well as some of the specific benefits.
3. Learn potential injury and technique concerns, as well as research findings about periodization and loading using WRT.

Room: Hall I

1. Seize the opportunity to participate in a hands on session on a Pilates reformer! This session is focused on strength and stability. A few flexibility exercises will be completed but the majority of this will NOT BE STRETCHING.

2. Discover firsthand why so many Olympic and professional athletes are using Pilates.

3. Learn how to easily and quickly integrate Pilates principles into your program to transform "text necks", tight hips, and sore backs into strong and confident posture that will help your athletes and clients breath deeper and perform better.

Room: Hall J

Keynote Speaker Brandon Stokley 

Hailed by Peyton Manning as “the best teammate [he’s] ever had”, Brandon Stokley racked up impressive stats as a 15-year career wide receiver and two time Superbowl Champion. He played for the Ravens, Colts, Seahawks, Giants and Broncos. Since he has hung up the cleats, Stokley has been inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and began co-hosting his own radio show, “Stokley and Zach." Don’t missing seeing Brandon Stokley in Indianapolis.

Room: Hall I

1. Learn the proper set up and technique for the sumo deadlift.
2. Identify weaknesses and weak points that can limit athletes and clients in properly performing and progressing in this lift.
3. Learn how, when, and why to best utilize this movement with athletes and clients.

Room: Hall I

1. Learn the difference between employment options of independent contractors (1099) and employees (W4).
2. Learn position requirements for both employees and independent contractors.

Room: Hall J

1. Identify your expertise and market for team training sales.
2. Learn how to market and sell your team training business to field and court sport coaches, parents, and athletes.
3. Learn effective pricing models for team training.
4. Learn how to execute the team training “free clinic,” which is the secret to building a team training business.

Room: Hall K

1. Discuss proper nutritional supplementation strategies in a Jeopardy-style active participation presentation.
2. Provide knowledge and understanding regarding nutritional supplements and their applications in strength and conditioning.
3. Provide a comprehensive presentation regarding specific nutritional supplement regimens for various athletic populations.

Room: Hall I

1. Learn how to use wearable resistance training (WRT) technology to attain sport-specific strength and power gains.
2. Understand the “why” of WRT as well as some of the specific benefits.
3. Learn potential injury and technique concerns, as well as research findings about periodization and loading using WRT.

Room: Hall I

1. Describe the publication process (manuscript submission, peer review, decisioning/revise/reject) for the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Strength and Conditioning Journal and NSCA Coach.
2. Describe characteristics of manuscripts and authors that facilitate and impede the publication process.
3. Identify strategies to becoming a strong author and reviewer for NSCA journals.

Room: Hall J

1. Identify the leading causes of death in sport.
2. Identify the 10 “best practice” guidelines for strength and conditioning coaches to follow.
3. Discuss the future of the profession of strength and conditioning coaching as it relates to preventing sudden death in sport.

Room: Hall K

1. Overview the performance of Team USA at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games and discuss how sport science support contributes to elite athlete performance.
2. Identify key aspects of athlete training and preparation that contributed to the performance of Team USA at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games.
3. Develop an understanding of the link between talent identification/talent transfer and elite level performance in the winter sports, and identify opportunities to expand talent identification initiatives.

Room: 135-136

1. Identify aspects of athletic preparation that may be informed by biomarker testing.
2. Apply the science of biomarker monitoring to manage athletes’ training and recovery.

Room: Hall I

1. Learn integration of trunk and spine preparation for optimal advanced speed work with high level athletes, targeting absolute speed and overspeed training for running athletes and specificity for overhead athletes.
2. Identify exercise sequences with the various motions of the trunk and spine, such as flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral flexion (side bending).
3. Learn specific exercise variations within each sequence and how it affects the various aspects of these trunk, spine, and core muscles.
4. Learn how to implement all aspects of trunk work (basic strength, stabilization, and integrated) into a periodization program for clients of all ages and levels.

Room: Hall J

1. Identify the critical technical and physical attributes that make up the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Performance Model for world-class fighters.
2. Review the performance strategies that are implemented to optimize athlete health, well-being, and performance.

Room: Hall K

1. Identify the challenges of undertaking research in applied sport.
2. Provide solutions for how research can be embedded within a sports performance team.
3. Provide examples of how research findings can be used to develop practice.

Room: 135-136

1. Identify the strategies to maximize fat loss during a diet.
2. Identify weight loss strategies to minimize the loss of lean body mass.
3. Describe the importance of resistance training when dieting or reducing caloric intake.

Room: Hall I

1. Provide practical examples of age-specific strength programming applications and modifications of standard resistance training modalities in real-world with multi-athlete scenarios.
2. Demonstrate adjustments of lifting tempos, rest intervals, and strategic setup options to implement age-specific recommendations to resistance training.
3. Provide knowledge of performance and knowledge of results cues to motivate athletes and improve execution effectiveness and efficiency.

Room: Hall J

1. Understand what “design thinking” means, and how to apply these constructs to the personal training experience. E
2. Examine how stepping out of our normal fitness thought process can affect so many other components that make up our relationship with each person.
3. Identify specific environmental tweaks, communication skills, and behaviors that can be smoothly manipulated to enhance what the client experiences.

Room: Hall K

1. Learn evidenced-based strategies for improving body composition from exercise.
2. Discuss strategies to augment lean mass and maximize fat loss from nutritional manipulation.
3. Identify approaches to utilize exercise and nutrition to improve metabolism honing in on body composition and performance goals.

Room: Hall I

1. Learn an organized way of assessing and teaching integrated movement principles and techniques that will improve movement efficiency.
2. Learn how to effectively teach and perform yoga movements.
3. Learn effective cueing, as well as how to teach integrated movement and how to assess movement.

Room: Hall J

1. Learn how to teach mastery of general locomotion in cardinal planes.
2. Understand that deliberate execution of deceleration prepares the joint structures for common forces occurring in sport, such as shear, distortion, torque, and compression.

Room: Hall K

1. Understand the difference between programming and periodization.
2. Describe how the general adaptive syndrome relates to periodization.
3. Examine the role periodization plays in athletic performance development.

Room: 134

-Identify the varied physical development levels of high school aged athletes
-Identify the demands of incoming freshmen at the college level
-Discuss the best preparation for the transition, physically, from high school to college athletics

Room: Hall J

1. Understand that from mechanoreceptors to proprioceptors, all human movement is controlled by the quantity and quality of sensory stimulation.
2. Explore the science of sensory sequencing and afferent stimulation as it relates to motor control and cognitive development.
3. Learn the language and specificity of the human somatosensory system.

Room: Hall K

1. Explore the research behind vision training in relation to performance and concussions.
2. Understand the implementation of vision training and how to apply it to different populations.
3. Learn different vision exercises that are available and what they are used for.

Room: 134

1. Mental Toughness is caught more than it is taught, here's how to apply the
right tools to help our athletes build mental toughness.
2. Sport teaches whatever we want it to teach. How does our "why" and our
philosophy impact building mentally tough competitors?
3. When we are stuck inside our own head, we are behind enemy lines. Here's
how to apply the secret to building mental toughness.

Room: Hall J

1. Identify the emergent technologies that are viable to integrate into Strength and conditioning practice
2. Understand recently discovered scientific principles for improving movement performance to enhance strength and conditioning practice
3. Describe the science and principles that support use of augmented and virtual reality to reduce injury risk and enhance sport performance
4. Design programs and modify advanced technologies to stimulate adaptive neuromuscular response

Room: Hall K

1. Learn the power of caring, how to be stronger by being softer, the value of failure, and the need for risk
2. Understand the positive effects of a culture of unity and cohesion while cultivating loyalty and dedication to your system.
3. Learn the principles, strategies, wisdom, and overall lessons of becoming a highly effective leader who coaches with “heart.”

Room: Hall I

1. Explain, demonstrate, and practice exercises for best technique for performing bodyweight training partner drills.
2. Identify how “leverage” and body size is important for proper training when performing partner bodyweight drills.
3. Learn how to design bodyweight partner training programs for development of muscle strength, power, and endurance.

Room: 137-139

Impactful Leadership Principles: Fostering A Diverse and Inclusive Environment 

Room: Hall J

1. Understand practical nutritional guidelines surrounding protein needs.
2. Learn practical interpretations of nutrient timing.
3. Understand key nutritional strategies to promote recovery.

Room: Hall I

1. Learn how to teach mastery of general locomotion in cardinal planes.
2. Understand that deliberate execution of deceleration prepares the joint structures for common forces occurring in sport, such as shear, distortion, torque, and compression.

Room: 134

1. Identify clients with at-risk signs and symptoms who require a medical referral for their low back.
2. Understand exercise programming modifications and precautions for common lumbar spine disorders.
3. Identify common low-back impairments that may persist in the post-rehabilitation phase of care.

Room: Hall J

1. Learn the basics of how the body uses fat for a fuel.
2. Describe the five methods to enhance the use of fat as a fuel.
3. Learn how to apply those methods into a program for client or athletes.

Room: Hall K

1. Identify program considerations for police recruit fitness training.
2. Describe key variables in program design for law enforcement officers.

Room: 135-136

1. Understand past research on resistance exercise endocrinology.
2. Interpret recent controversies about resistance exercise endocrinology.
3. Examine emerging data that could impact understanding.

Room: 134

1. Identify the mechanisms of hamstring injuries.
2. Describe the modifiable risk factors of hamstring injuries.
3. Learn how to design a rehabilitation and training program, including running progressions, for a safe and optimal return to play.

Room: Hall J

1. Identify the latest fads and trends in nutrition.
2. List the benefits and drawbacks to each of the latest fads and trends.
3. Describe solutions that give your clients what they are looking for while helping them steer clear of harm.

Room: Hall K

1. Describe testosterone’s effect on behavior and motivation, and how it can positively affect volitional effort during resistance training.
2. Identify non-physical or psychological priming strategies leading to acute increases in endogenous testosterone, and how they may be implemented to optimize resistance training sessions and associated adaptations.

Room: 134

1. Identify evidence-based exercise aimed at muscle-specific development post anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery.
2. Design exercise projections to obtain maximum results in a progressive fashion.
3. Describe “return to play” activities to ensure readiness of the athlete to return to activity.

Room: Hall J

1. Describe the age-associated decline in physical functional capacity.
2. Discuss the aging of society and the implications for United States industry.
3. Discuss strategies to engage older adults in exercise and improve work capacity.

Room: 135-136

1. Explain why countermovement jump force-time testing can be a useful component of the continual monitoring process in sport
2. Explore how to standardize countermovement jump force-time testing and analyses procedures
3. Apply key results generated from countermovement jump force-time testing to athlete training program design

Room: 134

1. Describe assessment procedures for evaluation of specific cervicothoracic muscle function.
2. Learn how to design an exercise retraining sequence for individuals with neck pain.

Room: Hall K

1. Describe the physiology of exercise-associated iron deficiency.
2. Understand how iron deficiency and anemia can impact an athlete’s performance.
3. Identify strategies for incorporating iron-rich foods.

Room: Hall J

1. Learn how to make the most of a both a limited budget and limited staffing to provide the best possible service to student-athletes.
2. Understand that working in a small college or high school setting with limited resources presents unique challenges and it is the strength and conditioning coach’s responsibility to find the best ways to overcome these challenges.

Room: Hall K

1. Understand the components within the lumbo-pelvic complex and thorax that influence and contribute to rotational components and effective delivery of force.
2. Elicit a scalable approach that can be utilized to generate an effective continuum for rotational power with any client or athlete.
3. Demonstrate a plethora of exercises through the use of multiple implements and tools to create an effective rotational training platform.

Room: Hall J

1. Identify appropriate sprinting and running mechanics for optimizing performance and minimizing injury.
2. Identify key opportunities for using sprinting as a means of screening athletes for power, strength, range of motion, and coordination.
3. Outline a process for using sprinting as a return-to-play modality for soft-tissue and joint injuries.

Room: Hall K

1. Learn how to use current science to analyze and critique flaws in the popular treatment models, including the theories of “breaking up adhesions” and “stretching the fascia.”
2. Compare the effectiveness of “hands-on” versus implement-assisted soft tissue treatment approaches.
3. Examine the research regarding foam rolling and stretching protocols.
4. Recognize the benefits and limitations of each soft tissue treatment approach discussed, and formulate an understanding of the basic neurological and biological mechanisms at play, as well as how to apply this to the design of conditioning and mobility programs.

Room: Hall J

1. Understand how to become a better performance supplier when managing sport injury paradigms.
2. Learn how to reduce lost time in practice and competitions.
3. Learn how to reduce acute and chronic injury factors.

Room: Hall I

1. Learn the benefit of performing a variety of the Olympic lifts with dumbbells.
2. Become familiar with the numerous variations that can be utilized when performing these movements with dumbbells.
3. Learn how to teach and perform each of these movements so that you can begin using these exercises with your athletes and clients.

Room: Hall K

1. Understand how the planning of physical preparation can and should be modified based on different factors (e.g., cultural, environmental, individual, genetics).
2. Gain an understanding of how to adapt a physical preparation system to different environments and sports.
3. Become more aware of Western physical preparation belief biases that are common in the industry.

Room: Hall J

1. Define Mental Toughness
2. Learn how to develop Mental Toughness
3. Foster the growth of the skills associated with Mental Toughness4

Room: 135-136

1. Identify the consequences of stress and training.
2. Describe the risks of subjecting athletes to stressful positions.
3. Learn how to design programs with principles focused on positional techniques and cues.

Room: Hall I

1. Understand the components within the lumbo-pelvic complex and thorax that influence and contribute to rotational components and effective delivery of force.
2. Elicit a scalable approach that can be utilized to generate an effective continuum for rotational power with any client or athlete.
3. Demonstrate a plethora of exercises through the use of multiple implements and tools to create an effective rotational training platform.

Room: Hall J

1. Identify the different measurable load metrics.
2. Describe the factors that influence an athlete’s ability to tolerate load.
3. Apply training load management strategies to optimize performance while minimizing injury risk.