Strength and conditioning coach
Encyclopedia
A Strength and conditioning coach is a fitness
professional who uses exercise prescription
specifically to improve performance in athletic competition. Strength coaches also help athletes with injury prevention and proper mechanics within their sports performances.
Strength and conditioning coaches tend to be employed by higher education
institutions and professional athletic teams.
While some strength and conditioning coaches may specialize in a certain sports team, type of performance, training type, or training philosophy, many at the collegiate level must work with any team to which they are assigned. In general, most strength and conditioning coaches develop exercise prescription plans that specifically modulate aerobic, resistance, and/or flexibility training to suit the metabolic and physical demands of the sport in question. With aerobic exercise
prescription, strength and conditioning coaches determine the type of exercise, duration of exercise, frequency, and duration. For resistance exercise prescription, the type of exercise, total session volume, rest period, frequency, and intensity are determined. They may also be involved in prescription of stretching
routines or other approaches. Nutrition
and medical consultation are not within their scope of practice and training qualifications.
in some high-power athletes and sports-specific movements in others, strength coaches may improve physical function and athletic performance.
.
Fitness
Fitness may relate to:* Physical fitness, a general state of good health, usually as a result of exercise and nutrition * Cardiorespiratory fitness...
professional who uses exercise prescription
Exercise prescription
Exercise prescription is the referral of patients to exercise programmes. The term is also used to describe the development of exercise programs.- Patient Referral :...
specifically to improve performance in athletic competition. Strength coaches also help athletes with injury prevention and proper mechanics within their sports performances.
Employment Characteristics
Strength and conditioning coaches typically work with sports teams, but may also work with individuals.Strength and conditioning coaches tend to be employed by higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
institutions and professional athletic teams.
While some strength and conditioning coaches may specialize in a certain sports team, type of performance, training type, or training philosophy, many at the collegiate level must work with any team to which they are assigned. In general, most strength and conditioning coaches develop exercise prescription plans that specifically modulate aerobic, resistance, and/or flexibility training to suit the metabolic and physical demands of the sport in question. With aerobic exercise
Aerobic exercise
Aerobic exercise is physical exercise of relatively low intensity that depends primarily on the aerobic energy-generating process. Aerobic literally means "living in air", and refers to the use of oxygen to adequately meet energy demands during exercise via aerobic metabolism...
prescription, strength and conditioning coaches determine the type of exercise, duration of exercise, frequency, and duration. For resistance exercise prescription, the type of exercise, total session volume, rest period, frequency, and intensity are determined. They may also be involved in prescription of stretching
Stretching
Stretching is a form of physical exercise in which a specific skeletal muscle is deliberately elongated, often by abduction from the torso, in order to improve the muscle's felt elasticity and reaffirm comfortable muscle tone. The result is a feeling of increased muscle control, flexibility and...
routines or other approaches. Nutrition
Nutrition
Nutrition is the provision, to cells and organisms, of the materials necessary to support life. Many common health problems can be prevented or alleviated with a healthy diet....
and medical consultation are not within their scope of practice and training qualifications.
Effectiveness of Strength and Conditioning Coaches
In the past, coaches may have led the strength and conditioning efforts of a team or left the team to their own training. Research has demonstrated that not only does training improve performance but that incorrect training (distance running, a slow-twitch muscle fiber activity, in football athletes with fast-twitch characteristics) can cause decrements to performance. Using techniques such as plyometricsPlyometrics
Plyometrics is a type of exercise training designed to produce fast, powerful movements, and improve the functions of the nervous system, generally for the purpose of improving performance in sports. Plyometric exercises may also be referred to as explosive exercises...
in some high-power athletes and sports-specific movements in others, strength coaches may improve physical function and athletic performance.
Qualification Standards
The National Strength and Conditioning Association offers a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach qualification that is usually required for positions in the field. In addition to the C.S.C.S. certification needed to become a strength and conditioning coach, a Bachelor's degree in the field of Exercise Science or Kinesiology is also required. Most strength coaches go on to get their Master's degree as well as additional certifications, such as the Health and Fitness Specialist (H.F.S.) certification through the American College of Sports MedicineAmerican College of Sports Medicine
The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than 40,000 international, national and regional members and certified professionals are dedicated to advancing and integrating scientific research to provide educational and...
.