(2,497 found)
Early Sport Specialization Versus Diversification in Youth Athletes
April 21, 2018by Thomas H. Caruso, CSCS, RSCC
The purpose of this article is to discuss the different opinions regarding the validity of early sport specialization as opposed to diversification, specifically the effect these two methods have on injuries, motor development, skill acquisition, and social and psychological aspects.
Coaches Program design
Al Vermeil | A Coaching Legacy Across Professional Sports
Few strength coaches have shaped sport performance like Al Vermeil — the only strength coach to earn championship rings in both the National Football League (NFL) and National Basketball Association (NBA). In this Gatorade Performance Partner Special Episode, Vermeil shares how a career built on explosiveness, adaptability, and relentless curiosity has transformed teams at every level. From advancing plyometrics and Olympic lifts in the 1970s to creating the performance pyramid and the innovative “time machine” testing system, his methods have influenced generations of coaches and athletes worldwide. Known for blending timeless principles with fresh, actionable ideas, he explains how mechanics, group management, and collaboration create consistent results and lasting trust. Along the way, Vermeil offers rare perspectives on coaching longevity, revealing how his adaptability and curiosity have kept him learning — and lifting — into his 80s. Gain practical insights to keep explosiveness central, integrate performance science, and strengthen your long-term coaching impact.
Reach out to Coach Vermeil by email at: a60vermeil@sisna.com | Email Jon Jost at: jonathan.jost@pepsico.com | Find Eric on Instagram: @ericmcmahoncscs or LinkedIn: @ericmcmahoncscs.
This special episode is brought to you in part by Gatorade Performance Partner. Learn more and join their community at GatoradePerformancePartner.com.
Coaches Professional Development
The Intersection of Therapy and Performance with the Oklahoma City Thunder
January 13, 2020by Andrew Paul, MEd, CSCS
From the 2019 NSCA’s Coaches Conference, Andrew Paul, Senior Athletic Performance Coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the National Basketball Association (NBA), discusses the importance of the emerging role of the dual-credentialed physical therapist/strength and conditioning specialist and identifies communication strategies to help facilitate good relationships and player transitions between the medical and performance teams.
Coaches Exercise Technique Program design Testing and Evaluation Professional Development
Conditioning Preparation for Multi-Stage Events – The Example of the Marathon des Sables – Part 1
October 13, 2025by Gary Stebbing, PGDIP, CSCS,*DCoaches Exercise Science Exercise Technique Program design Organization and Administration Testing and Evaluation Client Consultation|Assessment Safety Emergency Procedures Legal Issues Basic Pathophysiology and Science of Health Status or Condition, Disorder, or Disease Professional Development
Importance of Core Development for Soccer Players
May 23, 2025by Agustin Garcia Jr., and Jeffrey Hartman, PhD, CSCS, NSCA-CPT
The purpose of this article is to examine the critical role of core stability in soccer performance.
Coaches Exercise Science Nutrition Exercise Technique Program design Testing and Evaluation
Using Age-Specific Benchmarking of Performance Measures to Create Individual Strength and Conditioning Programs
May 8, 2018by Kevin Paxton, MS
Learn about processes of data collection and presentation, and how to use the data to individualize athletes’ training. In this session from the NSCA’s 2016 National Conference, Kevin Paxton demonstrates an age-specific long-term athletic development (LTAD) syllabus for soccer players.
Coaches Exercise Science Program design
Post-Injury Training to Essential Job Demands for Firefighters
April 25, 2022by Dr Michael Waller, PhD, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, FNSCA, Dustin Dunnick, PhD, CSCS, Andrew Shim, EdD, CSCS,*D, Tim Piper, EdD, CSCS,*D, and Robert Townsend, MS, CSCS,*D
This article explores a return to duty program for the tactical facilitator to implement with injured firefighters.
TSAC Facilitators Program design
Long-Term Athletic Development (LTAD) for the Personal Trainer – Part 1: Awareness
July 19, 2024by Rick Howard, DSC, CSCS,*D, RSCC*E, FNSCA
This three-part series will show how personal trainers can create a physically literate cradle-to-grave culture for all, with LTAD as the framework. This article addresses awareness of LTAD and why is it important for personal trainers.
Personal trainers Professional Development
Nutrition Research Column – April 2025 – Adaptogens and Nootropics – Nutrients to Improve Stress Management, Mental Health Outcomes, and Cognition
August 8, 2025by Sheyla Leon, Vanessa Frost-Piedrahita, MSEd, CSCS,*D, RSCC, and Drew Gonzalez, PhD, CISSN, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D
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 Facilitators Exercise Science Nutrition Program design Testing and Evaluation Client Consultation|Assessment Basic Pathophysiology and Science of Health Status or Condition, Disorder, or Disease Professional Development
Development of Muscle Mass: How Much is Optimum for Performance?
September 3, 2019by Yann Le Meur
This infographic highlights differences between hypertrophic gains and neural adaptations for optimal athletic performance.
Personal trainers TSAC Facilitators Coaches Program design
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