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Notice: The NSCA website is scheduled to undergo system maintenance from 2:00 AM - 2:30 AM EST. During this time, there may be short service interruptions across the site and some parts of the site may not be accessible. We apologize for any inconvenience while we work to improve the website experience and security.
By understanding the means by which athletes encounter risk, strength and conditioning professionals can integrate exercise programs that may offset one of the steps toward injuries.
Endurance sports are typically not thought of as highly technical endeavors, but proper movement during training and competition for endurance sports can affect both performance and health.
When integrating resistance training, endurance athletes must ensure that the sessions or workouts are sequenced in the context of the overall workload. Giving careful thought to these factors when designing the training plan will increase the chances of success.
CoachesExercise ScienceProgram designendurance trainingstrength trainingweight training
Static and dynamic conditioning of the core musculature is important in activities of daily living and in sport. This book excerpt includes sample static exercises to strengthen the core muscles responsible for stabilization against, or movement through, the four basic movement patterns.
Diets moderately higher in protein and slightly lower in carbohydrate may be beneficial when it comes to weight loss and improving body composition, as well as for sport performance.
CoachesNutritionLow carb high protein dietlow carb diethigh protein dietprotein sourcesweight gainhow to gain musclehow to lose fathow to build musclehow to gain massprotein shakesprotein barsprotein supplementssupplemental protein
Scenarios that provide a stimulus relevant to the sporting environment may help athletes develop better anticipation skills through the refinement of search strategies, response speed and accuracy, pattern recognition, and decision-making abilities.
Dietary fat has both long-term and short-term effects on an athlete and athletic performance. “Fat loading” as a strategy to improve athletic performance remains unproven.
Two factors that determine running speed are stride cadence and stride length. Because athletes propel themselves forward only when their foot is in contact with the ground, the stance phase of the running stride should be the focus of speed enhancement programs.
CoachesExercise ScienceMechanics of runninghow to run fasterspeed trainingrunning mechanics
Although accelerometers, pedometers, heart rate monitors, and questionnaires are not as accurate as direct and indirect calorimetry in determining metabolic rate, these less expensive tools can be used to create exercise plans, particularly those focused on health promotion and fitness.
Personal trainersClient Consultation|Assessmentmetabolismmetabolic ratefitnesshealth and wellness
During the initial interview, the personal trainer and client assess compatibility, develop goals, and establish a client-trainer agreement.
Personal trainersProgram designPersonal trainingPersonal training certificationpersonal training client consultationhow to become a personal trainerpersonal trainer client consultfitness assessment
Exercises performed in the water that improve swimming skills and simultaneously work the core can be beneficial for swimmers. One particularly useful core exercise that is specifically designed for swimmers is a kickboard progression, such as the one described in this article.
CoachesExercise Techniqueswimmingswim trainingcore trainingcore exercisesstrength and conditioning
This article outlines some very basic procedures for video analysis that strength and conditioning professionals can use to identify the physical demands of specific activities.
CoachesExercise ScienceProgram designTraining program designsports performance video analysisvideo analysisstrength trainingexercise program design
Flexibility training is important because of the role that flexibility plays in improving movement performance and reducing the opportunity for injury. Learn more about the role of flexibility training in this exclusive excerpt from the book NSCA's Essentials of Personal Training, Second Edition, published by Human Kinetics.
Personal trainersExercise ScienceExercise Techniqueflexibilityflexibility trainingpersonal trainingNSCA-CPT
This article presents information about assessing speed and agility in a controlled environment with a test that is similar to the actual demands of a specific sport.
CoachesTesting and Evaluationperformance testagility testspeed testingassessment
Before implementing an agility training program, baseline measures of change of direction ability should be assessed. This article presents norms for three tests that can be used to assess change of direction ability.
CoachesProgram designTesting and Evaluationagilityexercise testingassessmentT test5-10-5 ShuttleIllinois Test