Colorado Springs, CO – Strength and conditioning coaches from across the nation will converge at the NSCA’s Coaches Conference on January 4, 2018 in Charlotte, NC to discover cutting-edge research and practical applications in strength and conditioning, presented by the industry’s most elite and respected experts.

The Private Sector Coach of the Year Award, previously known as the Personal Trainer of the Year Award, recognizes an NSCA-certified professional working in the private sector who demonstrates exceptional impact in client outcomes, application of evidence-based practices, advocacy for the strength and conditioning profession, and significant contributions to the NSCA.

Long-Term Athletic Development (LTAD) models have provided a youth sport framework for more than 2 decades, aimed at improving skill progression, training outcomes, and athlete preparation. Although influential, traditional LTAD approaches are limited by their sport-centric orientation, linear design, and focus on elite performance, leaving them less relevant for most youth and adults who do not pursue competitive sport. In response, we propose reframing LTAD as Long-Term Activity Development (LTActD), an accessible and flexible model designed to promote lifelong engagement in physical activity, including recreation, exercise, and sport. LTActD emphasizes 5 dynamic phases—Explore, Develop, Apply, Sustain, and Thrive—that accommodate diverse pathways, periods of inactivity, and opportunities to re-enter active living at any age. Represented as a curvy road, the new model underscores that participation in physical activity is rarely linear, more like a winding journey shaped by health, motivation, environment, and social context. LTActD bridges sport science and public health, positioning physical activity as a lifelong resource for health, independence, and fulfillment. LTActD offers a practical framework to empower individuals of all ages and abilities to discover meaningful ways to move, re-engage, and embrace active living throughout the life course.

Prepare for your TSAC-F® exam with confidence. Explore study timelines, optional NSCA Exam Prep resources, and community support with our Prep Group and course.

To be eligible to take the CSCS® examination, candidates must fulfill certain criteria. Candidates must hold at least a bachelor's degree or currently be enrolled as a college senior at an accredited institution. Learn more about the prerequisites to sit for the CSCS® exam.

The All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year Award program recognize those collegiate and high school athletes whose athletic accomplishments reflect their dedication to strength training and conditioning.