Answers to 7 common questions about CASCE accreditation and resources to clarify and streamline the process.

To become an NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer®, candidates must sit for an exam that will test their knowledge of Client Consultation/Fitness Assessment, Program Planning, Exercise Techniques, and Safety/Emergency Issues. Exams are hosted in testing centers around the world. Read on to learn more about how the NSCA-CPT® exam is structured.

Rhodri S. Lloyd, lead author of the LTAD Position Statement, provides an abbreviated look at what long-term athletic development is and how strength and conditioning professionals can implement effective training strategies into programming to improve health, well-being, and growth.

To become a Certified Special Population Specialist® (CSPS®), candidates must sit for an exam that will test their knowledge in four areas: Basic Pathophysiology and Science of Health Status, Condition, Disorder or Disease; Client Consultation; Program Planning; and Safety, Emergency Procedures and Legal Issues. Exams are hosted in testing centers around the world. Read on to learn more about how the CSPS® exam is structured.

CASCE announces 23 accredited strength and conditioning programs in 2026. See the institutions ahead of 2030 CSCS® requirements and supporting career readiness.

NSCA has a network of volunteer leaders who direct NSCA’s efforts at the state level. NSCA’s Midwest Regional Coordinator provides oversight and training to local state directors. Members in the Midwest Region can connect at local and regional events as well as on Facebook to others in this area.

In this session from the 2023 NSCA Personal Trainers Virtual Conference, Quincy Johnson, Assistant Professor of Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences at the University of Kansas, discusses how to develop an organized and systematic approach for testing, assessing, and setting realistic goals for personal training clients and how to develop an exercise programming framework that can be utilized to enhance fitness outcomes.

The use of exercise interventions to maximize athletes’ performance is a common practice in competitions. This systematic review aimed to compile research that explored the effectiveness of priming strategies to maximize physical performance in track and field. The literature search was conducted from PubMed and Scopus. One hundred eighty-two studies were assessed against the inclusion criteria: (a) minimum 1-year participation/competition experience; (b) randomized controlled trials with pre-post intervention outcomes; and (c) studies involving exercise interventions applied #6 hours before outcome measures were collected. Fifteen studies satisfied the criteria and were categorized according to the exercise interventions used (i.e., resistance training, plyometric/ ballistic training, resisted sprints, and modified warm-ups). Heavy-loaded resistance training (i.e., .85% 1 repetition maximum) and resisted sprints increased subsequent sprint performance. Plyometrics/ballistic training also positively impacted subsequent jumping (i.e., long jump) and throwing performance (i.e., shot put). Modified warm-ups (i.e., high-intensity sprints and heavier throwing implements) also improved subsequent running and throwing performance. Overall, exercise interventions performed at high intensity and low volume augment subsequent physical performance as close to 4 minutes before the event. However, a sufficient recovery interval must be considered for a positive performance response.