NSCA’s Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) 5th Edition Online Study/CE Course With Ebook

This package includes the following:

• Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning, Fifth Edition, ebook
• Online access to video clips and lab activities via HKPropel
• Online course activities
• Online continuing education exam

Certified strength and conditioning specialists (CSCSs) are professionals who apply scientific knowledge to train athletes for the primary goal of improving athletic performance. The CSCS certification is widely recognized as the esteemed credential for strength and conditioning professionals in the United States and, increasingly, around the world. The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and Human Kinetics have jointly developed an online course to help people study for the CSCS examination. NSCA’s Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) Online Study/CE Course works in tandem with the material presented in Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning to offer a practical and efficient method of studying the content assessed on the CSCS exam.

The course content reflects the weighting and scope of the CSCS exam and has varying levels of recall, application, and analysis activities for each primary objective. Featuring over 160 interactive learning activities, this online course offers scientific knowledge and practical application and pinpoints the information required for preparing for the exam. The content covered relates directly to the on-the-job duties and responsibilities of a certified strength and conditioning specialist, and an end-of-course test evaluates the learner’s content knowledge, mimicking the scope and difficulty of the actual certification exam. Current certified professionals who complete the course and pass the test can earn continuing education units.

The course is supplemented by content from Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning, Fifth Edition, the primary text by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Created by 30 expert contributors in the field, it explains the key theories, concepts, and scientific principles of strength training and conditioning as well as their direct application to athletic competition and performance. Supplementing the text are online video clips demonstrating proper exercise technique for 21 resistance training exercises. This ebook will serve as a valuable professional reference long after the course is completed.

The information presented in the course assists exam candidates in the studying process. It should not be considered the only method of preparing for the CSCS exam. Ultimately, it will be each candidate’s academic, practical, and test-taking abilities that dictate the effectiveness of the preparation materials. The information should increase the likelihood of passing the CSCS exam, but it does not guarantee a successful performance.

Audience

Course for those studying for the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam; continuing education resource for those working with clients and athletes, including fitness professionals and athletic trainers.

Part 1. Exercise Sciences

Unit 1. Muscle and Neuromuscular Anatomy and Physiology

• Understand muscle anatomy and physiology.
• Understand neuromuscular anatomy and physiology.

Unit 2. Principles of Biomechanics

• Understand the principles of biomechanics regarding exercise selection, execution, and sport performance.

Unit 3. Bioenergetics, Metabolism, and Cardiopulmonary Considerations

• Understand bioenergetics and metabolism.
• Understand cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology.

Unit 4. Physiological Adaptations to Exercise

• Understand physiological adaptations to exercise.

Unit 5. Athlete Differences: Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics, and Psychology

• Understand the anatomical, physiological, and biomechanical differences of athletes.
• Understand the psychological techniques used to enhance training and performance.

Part 2. Nutrition

Unit 6. Nutrition Factors

• Explain nutritional factors affecting health and performance.

Unit 7. Nutrition and Performance

• Explain the strategies and results of manipulating food choices and training methods to maximize performance.

Unit 8. Performance-Enhancing Substances and Methods

• Explain the effects, risks, and alternatives of common performance-enhancing substances and methods.

Part 3: Exercise Technique

Unit 9. Resistance Training Exercise Technique

• Describe, teach, and evaluate proper resistance training exercise technique.

Unit 10. Plyometric Exercise Technique

• Describe, teach, and evaluate proper plyometric exercise technique.

Unit 11. Speed/Sprint Technique

• Describe, teach, and evaluate proper speed/sprint technique (resisted and assisted sprinting, speed-strength).

Unit 12. Agility Technique

• Describe, teach, and evaluate proper agility technique (forward, backward, and lateral movements; turn, transition and stop-and-go maneuvers).

Unit 13. Aerobic Endurance Exercise Technique

• Describe, teach, and evaluate proper aerobic endurance exercise technique.

Unit 14. Spotting Procedures and Techniques

• Describe and teach effective spotting procedures and techniques.

Part 4: Testing and Evaluation

Unit 15. Test Selection and Administration

• Evaluate the sport.

Unit 16. Testing and Evaluation

• Assess the athlete, including training status, physical testing and evaluation, and primary training goal.

Part 5: Program Design

Unit 17. Program Selection

• Determine type of exercise.
• Complete a movement analysis of the sport, including sport-specific exercises and muscle balance.
• Evaluate exercise technique experience.
• Consider equipment and time availability.

Unit 18. Program Design

• Consider training status to determine training frequency.
• Consider the sport season to determine training frequency.
• Consider training load and exercise type to determine training frequency.
• Consider other training to determine training frequency.
• Use appropriate terminology to quantify and qualify mechanical work.
• Consider the relationship between load and repetitions.
• Consider 1RM and multiple-RM testing options.
• Assign load and repetitions based on the training goal.
• Determine the variation of the training load.
• Determine the progression of the training load.
• Consider multiple versus single sets.
• Consider training status.
• Consider primary training goal.
• Consider strength and power variables.
• Consider the effects of hypertrophy.
• Consider muscular endurance variables.

Part 6: Organization and Administration

Unit 19. Facility Design and Safety

• Determine how to design, layout, and organize the strength and conditioning facility.
• Create a safe training environment within the strength and conditioning facility.

Founded in 1978, the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is an international nonprofit educational association with members in over 70 countries. Drawing on its vast network of members, the NSCA develops and presents the most advanced information regarding strength training and conditioning practices, injury prevention, and research findings.

Unlike any other organization, the NSCA brings together a diverse group of professionals from the sport science, athletic, allied health, and fitness industries. By working to find practical applications for new research findings, the association fosters the development of strength training and conditioning as a discipline and as a profession.

Contributors

Shawn M. Arent, PhD, CSCS,*D, FISSN

University of South Carolina

Chris A. Bailey, PhD, CSCS,*D, RSCC*D

Kate Baldwin, PhD

Claire Brady, PhD, CSCS

Sport Ireland Institute

Clive Brewer, MSc, CSCS,*D, RSCC*E

University of Notre Dame

Bill I. Campbell, PhD, CSCS, FISSN

University of South Florida

Scott Caulfield, MA, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D, RSCC*D

Norwich University

Dale W. Chapman, PhD, CSCS

Curtin University

Jo Clubb, MS

Sean Collins, PhD, CSCS,*D

University of Lynchburg

Paul Comfort, PhD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA

University of Salford

Nicole Dabbs, PhD, FNSCA

California State University, San Bernardino

Glen B. Deakin, PhD

Thomas Dos’Santos, PhD, CSCS,*D

Manchester Metropolitan University

Avery Faigenbaum, EdD, CPSS, CSPS, CSCS, TSAC-F, FNSCA

The College of New Jersey

Adam Feit, PhD, CSCS, RSCC*D

Springfield College

Cassandra Forsythe, PhD, RD

University of Connecticut

Ryan Fowler, MS, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D, RSCC*D

Andrew C. Fry, PhD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA*E

University of Kansas

G. Gregory Haff, PhD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA

Edith Cowan University

William J. Hanney, DPT, PhD, ATC, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D, FNSCA

University of Central Florida

Disa L. Hatfield, PhD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA

University of Rhode Island

David J. Heikkinen, PhD, CSCS

Fitchburg State University

Daniel B. Hollander, EdD, CSCS

Southeastern Louisiana University

Guy Hornsby, PhD, CSCS,*D, RSCC*D, FNSCA

West Virginia University

Ian Jeffreys, PhD, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D, RSCC*E, FNSCA

University of South Wales

Nathaniel D.M. Jenkins, PhD, CSCS, NSCA-CPT

University of Iowa

William R. Johnson, PhD, CPSS,*D, CSCS,*D

Paul A Jones, PhD, CSCS

University of Salford

Justin Keogh, PhD

Bond University

Morey J. Kolber, PhD, PT, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D, FNSCA

Nova Southeastern University

William J. Kraemer, PhD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA

University of Connecticut at Storrs

Jason Lake, PhD

University of Chichester

Rhodri Lloyd, PhD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Eric L. McMahon, MEd, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D, RSCC*E

John McMahon, PhD, CSCS,*D

University of Salford

Ryan Metzger, MS, CSCS, RSCC

Sylvia Moeskops, PhD, CSCS

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Bradley C. Nindl, PhD

University of Pittsburgh

Brijesh Patel, MA, CSCS, RSCC*E

Quinnipiac University

Brandon Roberts, PhD, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D, CISSN

Michael D. Roberts, PhD

Auburn University

Carwyn P.M. Sharp, PhD, CSCS,*D

University of Denver

Abbie E. Smith-Ryan, PhD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA, FISSN

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Timothy J. Suchomel, PhD, CPSS, CSCS,*D, RSCC*D, FNSCA

University of Pittsburgh

N. Travis Triplett, PhD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA

Appalachian State University

Jakob Vingren, PhD, CSCS

University of North Texas

Reed Wainwright, JD, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, RSCC*D