Duncan French explains the strength and conditioning work with MMA fighters in both their aerobic and anaerobic capacities at the UFC Performance Institute in this 2018 National Conference video.

Football is evolving fast, and the coaches who keep pace are the ones who control what they can and win the little details. Ted Rath, Director of Sports Performance for the New Orleans Saints, reflects on over 15 years in the National Football League (NFL). He explains how training times, availability, and sheer athleticism have shifted with the game's expansion. Rath makes the case for gaining a well-rounded experience by coaching different sports, seeking knowledge, and being patient on your path. He also shares his linear progression approach to sport science that keeps new tools actionable and avoids technology overload. With players now arriving more educated and invested in their data, creating understanding and buy-in remains essential. Rath reveals that his coaching philosophy and culture starts with “leading yourself,” emphasizing ownership and helping others. Apply his perspective to protect availability, dial in the little details, and integrate sport science with purpose. Reach out to Ted on Instagram: @tedrathstrengthcoach | Find Eric on Instagram: @ericmcmahoncscs and LinkedIn: @ericmcmahoncscs Catch Ted’s session, “The Future of Training in Professional Football,” at the 2026 NSCA National Conference in New Orleans, July 8–11. Sign up early and save at NSCA.com/NSCACon.

While exercise and weight management can be critical for a healthy pregnancy and recovery, special care should be taken when training pregnant and postpartum clients. In this lecture from the 2014 Personal Trainers Conference, Annette Lang provides an overview of what it means to work with this specific population.

Ivan Lewis, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Seattle Seahawks National Football League (NFL) team, shares his journey to becoming a strength coach, advice on professional development, how he hires people, and how to work in collaboration with other sports medicine professionals to help athletes return-to-play.

In this session from the 2017 Coaches Conference, Joe Eisenmann explains the three major energy systems in the human body, identifies appropriate tests of physical work capacity, and explains how to design programs that maximize energy production and fatigue resistance in sports.

In this session from the 2018 Personal Trainers Conference, Registered and Licensed Dietician, Dawn Weatherwax, provides a detailed look into the different variables that affect nutrition outcomes, body composition, metabolic testing, and supplementation for deficiencies, recovery, and optimal performance.

This excerpt from NSCA's Guide to Tests and Assessments briefly discusses the method behind a lactate threshold test and the pretest considerations one might take prior to this test.

In this session from the NSCA’s 2017 TSAC Annual Training, Matt Devine demonstrates the use of physical therapy exercises to enhance restorative and strength accessory work appropriate for various injury histories. Also discussed is a mindfulness practice to enhance recovery from injury and self-regulation.

David Crump describes strategies on client retention and how to make memorable experiences for your client as a personal trainer.