Similarities and overlaps exist between the realm of sport psychology and the profession of strength and conditioning coaching. This article provides a basic introduction to sport psychology and provides some guidance for preliminary directions; ideally, it will help strength and conditioning coaches find effective people and resources to help them in their coaching pursuits.
CoachesExercise ScienceNSCA CoachIntroduction to Sport PsychologySport Psychologymental trainingstrength and conditioning
Understand why the strength and conditioning basics work, how they work, and how they elicit the desired performance outcomes. In this session from the 2016 TSAC Annual Training, Brandon Stone identifies buzzwords like mental toughness, work capacity, and regeneration, as well as how those are integrated into training the program at the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
TSAC FacilitatorsExercise TechniqueProgram designregenerationwork capacitymental toughnessstrength and conditioningtactical strength and conditioningTSAC-FTSAC
Learn how to differentiate between the three critical tactical psychological skills related to enhancing tactical athlete performance, and how each tactical psychological skill impacts performance for the tactical athlete. In this session from the NSCA’s 2017 TSAC Annual Training, Peter Jensen, PhD, teaches how to apply each tactical psychological skill in a training setting to improve tactical athlete performance.
From the 2021 NSCA’s Coaches Conference, Adam Feit, Coordinator of Physical and Mental Performance at Springfield College, discusses the benefits of satisfying athletes’ and coaches’ basic psychological needs. He also explains how behaviors can help or hinder performance and how to create an autonomy-supportive training and coaching environment.
CoachesProfessional DevelopmentBehaviorsMotivationSupportFeedbackAutonomy-Supportive Training
In this video from the NSCA’s 2018 Coaches Conference, sports performance coordinator from Salisbury University, Matt Nein, describes what mental toughness is, skills associated with mental toughness, and how to develop this attribute in athletes.
CoachesExercise ScienceNutritionProgram designMental SkillsMental ToughnessPsychological Skills TrainingPSTAthlete Development
In this 2018 TSAC Annual Training video, Jay Sedory and Arron Prowett discuss the development of the Force Fitness Program used to create and advance the understanding of physical, mental, and spiritual wellness in order to prepare a well-rounded soldier for combat.
TSAC FacilitatorsExercise TechniqueProgram designOrganization and AdministrationTesting and EvaluationTSACSoldier ReadinessTactical PopulationForce Fitness Program
The purpose of this article is to explore trauma-related mental health issues and help human performance professionals more effectively train tactical athletes.
TSAC FacilitatorsExercise ScienceProgram designBasic Pathophysiology and Science of Health Status or Condition and Disorder or DiseaseMental HealthTraumaReadiness SurveyTactical AthletesOculocardiac Reflex Activation
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.
Personal trainersExercise SciencePTQpsychologydepression
From the virtual 2021 NSCA Coaches Conference, human performance specialists from the O2X Human Performance network discuss the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), including what it entails, how strength coaches can best prepare individuals for it, and the nutritional and mental demands of training for the test.
TSAC FacilitatorsCoachesNutritionProgram designTesting and EvaluationArmy Combat Fitness TestNational GuardSoldiers
This column will explore specific investigations that evaluate the impact of PA and fitness on mental and physical health outcomes among firefighters and law enforcement officers.