One of the most common questions received is, "How do I prepare for the CSCS® exam"? Preparation for the NSCA’s certification exams begins with a plan. The following steps provide you with a fairly comprehensive set of recommendations that, based on your background, may need modification: no one set of recommendations or resources can meet the needs of each individual. You will need to determine what steps meet your needs and provide you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to certify and begin your career as a strength and conditioning professional
Evidence suggests a positive relationship between physical activity, exercise, and mental health. Exercise as a treatment modality is now being considered alongside psychotherapeutic and pharmacological approaches, and the role of specifically trained exercise specialists and personal trainers is an important component of the multi-disciplinary team.
Personal trainersExercise SciencePTQpsychologydepression
While social media can serve as an efficient business tool, it can also complicate the legal rights of the entrepreneurs who use them. This article focuses on three specific—and perhaps surprising—ways in which social media can alter the employment rights of fitness professionals and the gyms they work for.
Personal trainersLegal IssuesProfessional DevelopmentNSCA-CPTpersonal trainingemploymentSocial media
Not all diets are appropriate for every population and this is especially true of an athlete who is expected to train and perform at a high level. Learn about the negatives of fad diets, potential pitfalls, and realistic dietary guidelines for athletes.
This article is the second part of a two-part series that considers the potential role strength and conditioning coaches have in developing student-athlete leadership.
CoachesOrganization and AdministrationProfessional DevelopmentNSCA Coachleadershiprole model
In the intercollegiate athletic setting, the strength and conditioning coach can play a role in the development of student-athlete leadership. For the strength and conditioning coach to be a positive contributor to this effort, he or she must have a clear understanding of their role, the role of the sport coach, and the interaction and relationship between the two.
CoachesOrganization and AdministrationProfessional DevelopmentNSCA CoachStudent-athleteleadershipstrength and conditioning
This TSAC Report column examines the use of adaptogen and nootropic supplements to aid in favorable stress-related and cognitive outcomes. Visit NSCA online to discover more about nutrition research.
TSAC FacilitatorsExercise ScienceNutritionProgram designTesting and EvaluationClient Consultation|AssessmentBasic Pathophysiology and Science of Health Status or Condition and Disorder or DiseaseProfessional DevelopmentMacronutrientsMicronutrientsOmega-3 Fatty AcidAshwagandhaCaffeineNootropicsAdaptogensSupplementsNutrition
This article is from the perspective of the Battalion Commander, 1st Tank Battalion, in an effort to share with other TSAC-F what did and did not work while implementing the Marine Corps’ Force Fitness program.
This article focuses on the requirements that must be met for sailors to pass a Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA), and resources the Command Fitness Leader (CFL) and tactical facilitator have at their disposal to assist sailors. In addition, an example program is provided to help support sailors struggling to meet PFA requirements.
Tactical facilitators are especially well-positioned to integrate mental skills training that may develop more complete tactical athletes who are prepared for dangerous environments. This article offers recommendations for mental skills training based on reported views from a tactical population.
TSAC FacilitatorsExercise ScienceProgram designMental Skills TrainingTactical Strength and ConditioningTSACCombat Instructors