The purpose of this article is to provide personal trainers reading the strength and conditioning research the knowledge necessary to better understand the statistical data commonly reported in research manuscripts.
Personal trainersTesting and EvaluationProfessional DevelopmentEvidence-BasedResearchStatisticsEffect SizeConfidence Interval
This article is part of 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.
TSAC FacilitatorsExercise ScienceProgram designTesting and EvaluationWildland FirefighterLaw EnforcementCombat Soldiers
Sheri Walters’ journey to Director of Sports Medicine at Texas A&M University reflects a career defined by innovation, collaboration, and comprehensive integration. Walters discusses the "arms race" in collegiate athletics and how Texas A&M shatters silos through unit alignment and being intentionally present. Drawing from her EXOS experience, she highlights the impact of integrating sports medicine with strength and conditioning. Walters employs research-based cross-body training to maintain strength, prioritizing long-term rehabilitation over limb symmetry index testing. She explains how her Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) and Certified Performance and Sport Scientist® (CPSS®) credentials enable her to elevate rehabilitation and speak the language of sport performance professionals. Walters underscores the importance of getting student-athletes back to team strength and conditioning as soon as tissues can tolerate it to promote physiological and psychological healing. She also shares how strength and conditioning coaches can optimize return to performance and reduce reinjury risk.
Email Sheri at swalters@athletics.tamu.edu | Find Eric on Instagram: @ericmcmahoncscs and LinkedIn: @ericmcmahoncscs
Catch Sheri’s session on bridging the gap in the collegiate setting LIVE at the 2025 NSCA Coaches Conference! Register to watch online at NSCA.com/Coaches.
Fascinated by the intersection between strength and conditioning and sports medicine? Join other professionals in the Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation Specialist Interest Group (SIG) to discover more resources and engage in discussion.
The purpose of this article is to justify the importance and advantage to properly incorporate upper body power (UBP) training in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athletes.
CoachesProgram designTesting and EvaluationMixed Martial ArtsUpper Body PowerVelocityPotentiation
This article provides guidance on designing strength and conditioning programs for male collegiate trampolinists by combining the available sport science with practical coaching experience.
CoachesProgram designTesting and EvaluationSport ScienceTrampolinePlyometrics
Correct spinal alignment is key to many lifts and can help prevent back pain form everyday activities. This is an overview of the anatomy and methods to help identify and correct common postural imbalances.
Personal trainersProgram designTesting and EvaluationBasic Pathophysiology and Science of Health Status or Condition and Disorder or DiseaseCorrective ExerciseBack PainSpinal AlignmentCorrect Posture
This excerpt from NSCA’s Essentials of Sport Science briefly explains the force-velocity-power profile and how it can give strength and conditioning coaches a more holistic view of athletes.
This section from the book, Developing Endurance, gives an overview of how to plan and develop a program for endurance athletes by following four steps.
Personal trainersTSAC FacilitatorsCoachesProgram designEndurance TrainingEndurance AthleteProgrammingDeveloping Endurance
Acceleration is the rate of change in velocity, so this phase of sprinting is critical for changing directions as rapidly and efficiently as possible. Optimal technique for linear sprinting in the acceleration phase involves four factors that maximize stride length and frequency.
CoachesExercise ScienceExercise Techniquespeedagilitystrength and conditioning
Strength and conditioning coaches can help bridge the gap between research and anecdotal experiences by reporting subjective and objective information obtained while carrying out everyday responsibilities.
CoachesProgram designTraining program designcoaching technique