This award is a recognition given to NSCA members who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to and effectiveness in Equity, Leadership, Empowerment, Visibility, Access, Training, and Excellence within Strength and Conditioning.

The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) has announced that it is working to elevate and advance the strength and conditioning profession by developing a quality assurance process that ensures all future professionals are capable and well-prepared. This process establishes a qualified workforce that has the professional knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to meet industry standards and be successful in the strength and conditioning industry. To achieve this, the NSCA is taking forward-thinking steps by modifying the requirements to attain the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) certification. These requirements are targeted to take effect in the year 2030.

The Certified Performance and Sport Scientist (CPSS)™ is an advanced level certification. There are three routes listed to establish eligibility based upon the highest level of formal education obtained (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees) and eligible professional experience.

Find supplemental information about CASCE as well as answers to the most frequently asked questions about accreditation.

From the 2023 NSCA Tactical Annual Training, Lee Margolis discusses the physiological outcomes of the body during periods of low glycogen availability in regard to military operations.

To apply you will need to fill out the online application, but first, please read the qualifications to ensure you are eligible.There is a $100 application fee for all RCPT and RCPT*D applicants. There is no application or renewal fee for RCPT*E applicants. All requirements must be fulfilled by the application date.

The physiological response to breath holding includes bradycardia and peripheral vasoconstriction, which contrasts with that of exercise which includes tachycardia and peripheral vasodilation. This raises the question as to what the physiological response is to breath holding during exercise. During low-intensity exercise, the breath holding response of bradycardia and peripheral vasoconstriction prevails over the exercise response of tachycardia and peripheral vasodilation, but nevertheless the exercise may be sustained. Due to the lack of availability of extrinsic oxygen (O 2 ) from the atmosphere during breath holding, the energy demands can be met by increased reliance on intrinsic O 2 stores (i.e., O 2 that was in the body before the breath hold) via increased O 2 extraction at the muscle compared with exercise while breathing, or increased contributions from anaerobic energy systems. During high intensity exercise of short duration, the exercise response may prevail over the breath holding response due to the increased parasympathetic withdrawal and sympathetic drive of higher intensity exercise. If breath holding during high-intensity exercise was sustained for long enough, the breath holding response may eventually overcome the exercise response, although this may be difficult due to the inverse relationship between exercise intensity and breath hold duration.