The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Research, Coaching Advancement, and Equipment Grants.
Prepare for your CSPS® with confidence. Explore study timelines and optional NSCA Exam Prep resources — like the textbook, study guide, and practice questions.
This award is given to a TSAC educator and practitioner who has made noteworthy contribution to the teaching and practical application in the field of tactical strength training and conditioning. Qualified nominees must be a certified member of the NSCA with a CSCS AND TSAC-F certification.
Accentuated eccentric loading (AEL) can be combined with lower-body power-based movements to acutely enhance them; however, currently, there are limited recommendations for this training method. AEL can enhance force and power metrics during its utilization with lower-body power based exercises. When using AEL, exercises should consist of jump squats and countermovement jumps with loading methods consisting of weight releasors or dumbbell hand release. Elastic bands can be used; however, more research is needed in this area. External loads ranging from 10–30% of body mass can be used. Future research needs to investigate increased eccentric and concentric loads when using AEL with power based movements.
The NSCA offers Exam Prep Live clinics for individuals preparing for the NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) exam. The NSCA-CPT Exam Prep clinic is a 2-day event and provides a blend of classroom lecture and hands-on training.
The demanding and hazardous nature of firefighting necessitates a fitness testing framework that directly addresses the unique physiological challenges of the profession. This paper sought to identify gaps in the current fitness testing and training environment that are focused on cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular endurance, and muscular strength components of fitness and to advocate for a targeted, occupation specific fitness testing approach that aligns with the physiological challenges firefighters face. Ultimately, implementation of these plans should reduce the risk of injury and death and improve operational efficiency.