Take part in the NSCA Women's Committee Mentorship program and become a mentor by filling out this application. Mentor Qualification Criteria: ● Identify as female ● Three plus years of relevant work experience ● NSCA Certified o CSCS required for coaching mentor o TSAC-F or CSCS required for tactical mentor o NSCA-CPT or CSPS required for personal training mentor o CPSS required for sport science mentor ● Masters degree or higher required for research or academic career mentor

Congratulations to the NSCA's 2026 awardees for their dedication and contributions to the NSCA and the field of strength and conditioning.

Successful performance in sport is a multifactorial process that includes a blend of technical, tactical, physiological, biomechanical, and psychological features interacting together to result in the desired performance outcome. The strength and conditioning (S&C) program, depending on the sport, can support performance by influencing the physiological and biomechanical components through direct and indirect avenues of impact. Performance planning to achieve identified objectives is typically a long-term process, ranging from a year in seasonal professional team sports to a four-year Olympic cycle. It is critical to develop and implement key strategic processes to ensure that the S&C program effectively supports performance at major competitions. Furthermore, it is essential to have clarity for the role of S&C within the overall sports training program. Having a clear approach to deconstructing and understanding performance from a human performance perspective, showing how and where the impact on performance can be made, and objectively demonstrating the contribution to performance variables is vital. The current article uses the author’s experience of working across a range of Olympic and professional sports to articulate a process for strategic planning and managing S&C support from a technical perspective. Examples from various sports have been used to illustrate critical strategic processes.

NSCA awards are governed by this following general criteria. Please visit the individual award's page for specific criteria.

Learn about sport science careers and the CPSS certification program​.

The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Research, Coaching Advancement, and Equipment Grants.

Discover salary trends and average earnings for strength and conditioning coaches and sport scientists in the 2025 NSCA Salary Survey. Get your free summary now.

The NSCA is proud to name 42 new strength and conditioning coaches who have earned the prestigious Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach® Emeritus (RSCC*E) designation in 2025

The NSCA is proud to name new strength and conditioning coaches who have obtained the prestigious Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach® Emeritus (RSCC*E) designation in 2024.