As performance staffs grow and develop, professional athletes today have a broad array of services and expertise available to them in the locker room and around competition. This episode features the Vice President of Health and Performance for the National Basketball Association (NBA) Phoenix Suns, Brady Howe. Howe tells Eric McMahon, the NSCA Coaching and Sport Science Program Manager, how humble beginnings as an NBA Developmental League athletic trainer contributed to his current performance-first mindset for leading a multifaceted health and performance department. Topics include often misunderstood developmental factors for training elite athletes and advice for how to serve your athletes at the highest level.
Connect with Brady on Instagram: @bhowe6 or Twitter: @brady_howe | Find Eric on Instagram: @ericmcmahoncscs or Twitter: @ericmcmahoncscs
You can learn more about NBA strength and conditioning from the National Basketball Strength and Conditioning Association (NBSCA), an Official Sport Partner of the NSCA.
Mental health is changing across sports and human performance. See how strength and conditioning professionals can recognize, respond, refer, and use resources.
Exercise ScienceProgram designTesting and EvaluationSafetyProfessional Development
Join 2026 NSCA Tactical Annual Training in Orlando for evidence-based tactical human performance education. Learn hands-on, explore new tools, and earn 2.0 CEUs
Job descriptions, schedules, personal responsibilities, and physical training experience are all factors that should be taken into account when designing a unique and specialized training program for tactical athletes.
TSAC FacilitatorsProgram designBasic Pathophysiology and Science of Health Status or Condition and Disorder or Diseasehandling stressphysical stressTraining program design
Have you ever considered getting a K-12 teaching license, with your CSCS, to gain employment as a high school strength and conditioning coach? Coach Justin Loudon serves as the Chair of the NSCA High School Coaches Professional Development Group (PDG). He shares PDG updates with NSCA Coaching and Sport Science Program Manager, Eric McMahon, including highlights from the 2024 NSCA Coaches Conference and direction for the future of high school coaching. Learn about the impact of school-based strength and conditioning beyond the weight room, and important benefits for students over their lifetime.
Connect with Justin on Instagram at: @coach_loudon or by email: loudonsc@gmail.com| Find Eric on Instagram: @ericmcmahoncscs or X (Twitter): @ericmcmahoncscs | Here is a link to engage with NSCA Professional Development Groups.
As mentioned in the episode, check out the book: NSCA's Guide to High School Strength and Conditioning
This article is the eighth in a continuing series of tactical strength and conditioning (TSAC) research reviews. It is designed to bring awareness to new research findings of relevance to tactical strength and conditioning communities. On this occasion, the focus is on new research presented at the 2016 NSCA National Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 7 – 8, 2016.
TSAC FacilitatorsExercise ScienceProgram designTesting and Evaluationresearchtactical strength and conditioningTSAC
This article discusses the potential benefits of exercise for helping reduce depression in tactical populations.
TSAC FacilitatorsExercise ScienceNutritionClient Consultation|AssessmentSafetyLegal IssuesBasic Pathophysiology and Science of Health Status or Condition and Disorder or DiseasePsychological DisordersAdaptive ExerciseFitnessStress CopingMental HealthTactical FacilitatorOccupational AnxietyDepression