Position statements are official statements of the NSCA on topics related to strength and conditioning and exercise science. All NSCA Position Statements are published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research® and free to the public.

The purpose of this article is to provide information about the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) certification exams that were administered during 2020.

This article provides a list of items that affect the ability to develop and retain quality fire fitness trainers and provides possible solutions to common challenges for program managers that make decisions for a facility or agency.

This second article of a two-part series continues the discussion of long-term athletic development (LTAD). This article provides practical application of the LTAD principles by examining two sample programs.

This article serves as a guide for current and future strength and conditioning professionals who oversee program design for fire academy recruits. This includes a summarized needs analysis and a sample training program that considers the unique challenges of the fire academy.

Traditional lower-body resistance exercise alone may not be an optimal means of developing agility. Further, the effectiveness of straight-sprint training on agility performance has not been well established. In contrast, jump training, including loaded jump squats and horizontal and lateral jumps, holds promise.

In July, the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) announced that by 2030 (target date) the eligibility for the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) examination will require candidates to gradate with a bachelor’s degree in a strength and conditioning related field, from a program accredited by an NSCA-approved accrediting agency.

The NSCA Education Recognition Program (ERP) Graduate Strength and Conditioning Program recognizes and distinguishes academic institutions that offer at least a Master’s degree with standardized, approved graduate strength and conditioning curricula that is designed to prepare students for the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) certifications. Recognition can be achieved for applied curriculum, research curriculum, or both. A full list of required content areas can be found in the Graduate Strength and Conditioning Program application.

This article discusses the findings of a recent study on the effectiveness of a time-efficient occupationally-specific training program to improve performance in qualities related to physically demanding tactical tasks in law enforcement officers.