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!
In this session from the NSCA’s 2019 Coaches Conference, prominent strength coaches explore what the 2018 coaching salary survey results tell us about the profession and how to move forward.
Football Coach Reed Wainwright, CSCS, speaks at the NSCA's 2013 Coaches Conference about developing and adhering to standards in the strength and conditioning profession.
CoachesOrganization and AdministrationStrength and Conditioning CoachesStrength and Conditioning ConductConduct and Standards2013-Coaches-Conferencestandard of carestandards and guidelines
Much in the same way that a single movement or a single workout does not make or break a training cycle, the same holds true for mental skills. The challenge is that the strength and conditioning coach will likely need to reach out to another professional trained in sport psychology to help establish the plan and construct the appropriate interventions.
This NSCA Coach article focuses on the in-season resistance training and mobility exercises designed for the 100-m sprint track and field high school athlete.
CoachesProgram designSprintingHigh School AthleteProgram DesignVertical Jumphs-coaching
This article discusses using the principle of specificity as an important component in tactical training programs to enhance performance, decrease injuries, and improve functional longevity of a tactical athlete.
This Personal Trainers Quarterly article presents protein dosing strategies to maximize wellness for the aging population. Visit NSCA online to read more on nutrition, health, and wellness.
Personal trainersExercise ScienceExercise TechniqueProgram designClient Consultation|AssessmentBasic Pathophysiology and Science of Health Status or Condition and Disorder or DiseaseProfessional DevelopmentMuscle Protein SynthesisDaily NutritionAnabolic ResponseSarcopeniaAnimal ProteinsLeucineEAABCAA
This article discusses the importance of resistance training for older adults and considerations that personal trainers need to be aware of when working with this population.
Personal trainersExercise ScienceProgram designClient Consultation|AssessmentOlder AdultResistance TrainingActivities of Daily LivingPersonal Trainer