Cal Dietz, from the University of Minnesota, talks to the NSCA Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Scott Caulfield, about putting new learning into application, and many aspects of professional and personal development.
Maura Bergan, Associate Professor of Exercise Science and Sports Studies at Springfield College, talks to the NSCA Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Scott Caulfield, about social media in the exercise science field, key career decisions, and qualities and values that help you as a coach.
It is important for strength and conditioning coaches, sport coaches, athletic trainers, and administrators to recognize and address the evidence of stress within student-athletes in order to avoid chronic stress-related anxiety and injury.
CoachesExercise ScienceNSCA Coachstresscollege athletesstrength and conditioning
You can’t talk about strength and conditioning without Coach Boyd Epley. Regarded as the “Godfather of Strength and Conditioning,” Epley laid the groundwork for the profession and later founded the NSCA in 1978. His 10 Husker Power Principles, developed at the University of Nebraska, remain a cornerstone in programming and formed the basis of sport-specific training. Emphasizing strength and power, Epley implemented testing and debunked the prevailing belief that weightlifting hindered speed. He recounts his journey with co-hosts Eric McMahon and Jon Jost, chronicling how a pole vault injury and exposure to bodybuilding led him to become the first collegiate strength and conditioning coach. What began with cement bars and paint cans evolved into a fully equipped weight room and impressive lifelong career. Additionally, Epley’s open-door policy — even with his fiercest competitors — helped drive the profession forward. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in strength and conditioning history.
Explore the University of Nebraska’s Husker Power Principles discussed in this episode.
Reach out to Coach Epley by email at boydepley@mac.com. Get in touch with 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.
Want to get involved as an NSCA Volunteer? Discover opportunities to lead and share your expertise at NSCA.com/Volunteer. Applications for many positions open in September and October!
Brian Thompson, Director of Strength and Conditioning at Springfield College, helps young coaches develop an understanding of how small mistakes can make a big difference while interviewing for a strength position. This session provides knowledge of how the selection process works for employers and discusses how to apply better professionalism to get the positions you want.
CoachesProfessional DevelopmentInterview SkillsResumeProfessional Development
This NSCA Coach article describes how to manipulate movements, lifts, and rest periods in a way that controls time, space, and flow efficiently to creatively enhance athletic performance.
Personal trainersCoachesExercise ScienceProgram designOrganization and AdministrationStrength and Conditioning CoachCoachingEffective CoachingCreative Programming
This NSCA Coach article offers a brief description on the various methods for setting resistance training loads. Visit NSCA online to read more on strength training and program development.
CoachesExercise ScienceExercise TechniqueProgram designOrganization and AdministrationTesting and EvaluationClient Consultation|AssessmentSafetyProfessional DevelopmentIntensity Based TrainingStrength CoachesPower LiftingFatiguerepetitions in reserve (RIR)relative intensity (RI)repetition maximum (RM)velocity-based training (VBT)
The aim of this article is to share with strength and conditioning coaches how red light therapy has evolved from its early beginnings to contemporary times, as well as to address the many benefits for athletes.
CoachesExercise ScienceRed Light TherapySleepEnduranceInflammationMental Health
The purpose of the program is to support, develop, and enhance the advancement of women in strength and conditioning and related professions.
Mentor Qualifications: 3+ years of professional experience and NSCA certified. For persons in education/research, a Master’s degree or higher is also required.
Mentee Qualifications: Open to learn, actively pursuing a career in strength and conditioning and/or related profession.
The program will run for 6 months. There will be monthly large group workshops for all participants. There is an expectation mentors-mentees also conduct a 1-on-1 meeting each month.
Applications are open for both female mentees and mentors.
Learn 7 ways that strength & conditioning professionals can recognize mental health concerns, respond effectively, & provide support while staying within scope.
Personal trainersTSAC FacilitatorsCoachesOrganization and AdministrationSafetyEmergency ProceduresProfessional DevelopmentRecoveryPerformanceFocusmental healthPost Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)DepressionAnxiety