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.

This article in NSCA Coach explores the potential cognitive benefits of creatine supplementation across diverse populations and conditions. Visit us online to learn more about nutrition and exercise science.

This article discusses what muscle dysmorphia is, the ways in which adolescents can fall victim to it, and how to intervene when body image becomes distorted.

This research review covers topics such as the effects of police officer equipment loads, military occupational specialties, and the effects of protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighters.

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.

As athletes return to training in the heat, Doug Casa, CEO of the Korey Stringer Institute, covers safety and considerations for strength and conditioning coaches. Casa discusses guidelines for heat acclimatization, signs and symptoms of traumas, emergency action plans, prevention strategies, and provides valuable resources for coaches.

The purpose of this article is to introduce strength and conditioning specialists to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to identify the many benefits of delivering exercise programs to children with ASD. In addition, the article aims to inform strength and conditioning specialists on how to minimize some of the inherent challenges associated with the delivery of such programs by highlighting critical issues for practitioners to consider when designing and implementing exercise programs for children with ASD.

Part 2 of this series on allostatic load theory will focus on how monitoring personnel holistically can contribute to a well-rounded health and performance model supporting the tactical athletes.

Considerations for the Post-Operative Client: Bridging the Gap between Physical Therapy and Personal Training

A problem facing personal trainers is the lack of awareness needed to work with clients who suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This article aims to bring awareness of the symptoms of ADHD to personal trainers, discuss how they potentially affect training of various clients, and present programing considerations for training clients with ADHD.