Dietary fat has both long-term and short-term effects on an athlete and athletic performance. “Fat loading” as a strategy to improve athletic performance remains unproven.

One of the most common questions received is, "How do I prepare for the CSPS exam"? Since candidates come from wide and varied backgrounds, we recommend a few different approaches to studying for the CSPS exam. Learn more about preparing for the CSPS exam.

The NSCA offers an Exam Prep Live Clinic for individuals preparing for the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam. The CSCS Exam Prep Live Clinics are offered in three formats: 1.5-Day, 2-Day and 3-Day options with a blend of classroom lecture and hands-on training. Additional Clinics are added to the calendar every 2-3 months.

Scientific research has identified lactate threshold (LT) and maximal exercise performance as being very important contributors to endurance performance. A well-designed endurance training program can lead to improvement in both LT and maximal exercise performance within a single season and from season to season.

There are many factors, both personal and environmental, that play a role in the success of a training and diet program for an individual client. This article looks at the factors to be aware of and some solutions to finding the best fit program for an individual client.

Joe Denk, Applied Sport Scientist and Strength and Conditioning Coach for Naval Special Warfare, talks to the NSCA Coaching and Sport Science Program Manager, Eric McMahon, about immediate and actionable sports science data for tactical athletes. Topics under discussion include the dynamic of working with tactical athletes, how resiliency and recovery are connected, and how technology has enabled coaches the ability to implement training programs effectively from a distance. Find Joe via Email: denkjc@gmail.com| Find Eric on Instagram: @ericmcmahoncscs or Twitter: @ericmcmahoncscs

This Kinetic Select from NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, Second Edition gives a brief overview of respiratory adaptations, and how aerobic interventions of duration and intensity can be used for specific adaptations for endurance training.

Learn practical drills, exercises, and how to properly implement conditioning protocols into a team setting. Ron McKeefery explains the scientific rational behind anaerobic and aerobic conditioning methods and how to use a systematic approach to build a successful conditioning program. In this session from the NSCA’s 2018 Coaches Conference, McKeefery also provides examples of fun, safe, and effective routines.

This info-graphic describes research on velocity decrements to increase propulsive and horizontal force applications to increase acceleration kinetics.

Athletes must be able to express strength, power, and speed in multiple directions, and it may be beneficial to emphasize horizontally based movements in strength and conditioning programs.