strength & conditioning
Massachusetts high school adds unified strength and conditioning team
A Massachusetts high school has expanded its unified sports offering with the addition of a strength and conditioning team. Wareham High School unveiled the unified strength and conditioning team coached by the school's occupational therapist,... more »
Study suggests cardiorespiratory fitness lowers dementia risk
A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that high cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is linked to better cognitive performance and a lower long-term risk of dementia, even among individuals with a genetic... more »
Using protein to help build muscle
Nutrition plays a critical role when it comes to building muscle. At the core of muscle growth is protein, the essential macronutrient that repairs and rebuilds muscle fibers after intense workouts. Without enough protein, the... more »
Establishing correct exercise technique
When an individual begins their fitness journey and begins to implement weightlifting in their quest for bigger muscles, athleticism, or general health, one recurring topic vocalized is to use correct technique by utilizing a full... more »
CSCCa announces 2025 National Conference in Indianapolis
The Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa) is excited to host its 2025 National Conference in Indianapolis, IN, from May 5-7 at the Indiana Convention Center. This premier event brings together strength and conditioning... more »
Strength & conditioning considerations for the multisport athlete
Designing training programs for athletes who compete in multiple sports throughout the year is a little more complicated than the individual athlete who may only play a single sport. The ability to train the multisport... more »
In-season strength training for basketball athletes
As a collegiate strength and conditioning professional for close to 30 years at the Division-I level of intercollegiate athletics, the in-season part of your training year is the most important time of your year. As... more »
Study: Brain cells may mimic muscle signaling to enhance memory and learning
Our biceps and our brain cells may have more in common than previously thought. New research led by the Lippincott-Schwartz Lab shows that a network of subcellular structures similar to those responsible for propagating molecular signals that... more »
The effect of HIFT on performance and body composition
High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) has gained popularity as an effective workout regimen combining strength training and cardiovascular conditioning elements. This training method improves overall fitness by incorporating functional movements that mimic everyday activities. Recent research... more »
Study suggests electrical stimulation boosts strength and mass
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), or electrical muscle stimulation for short, uses electrical currents to contract muscles. The stimulation devices are easy to use and widely available on the market, according to Sudip Bajpeyi, Ph.D., a... more »
Walking can add years to your life, study says
A recent study found that walking can add as much as 11 years onto your life. The problem is, however, many Americans don't get enough daily exercise. Only 26% of men, 19% of women, and... more »
Nutrients that help athletes build muscle
Building muscle takes more than a high-protein diet. While protein gets all the glory, there’s a wide range of nutrients that are needed to support muscle development, recovery and strength. A recent story from Eating... more »
Study reveals effects of resistance training break on muscle and strength
A study conducted at the University of Jyväskylä's Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences investigated how a 10-week break from resistance training affected maximum strength and muscle size. The study found that a 10-week break... more »
Strength Training Facilities of Excellence: Cedar Rapids Prairie High School
Cedar Rapids Prairie High School in Iowa wanted to give its student-athletes an NCAA Division I feel. To do that, they brought in Zach Walrod to be its new physical education teacher and strength coach,... more »
Strength Training Facilities of Excellence: St. Thomas More Catholic High School
The Our Lady of Lourdes Athletics Center, located in Lafayette, LA, is the new 7,400-square-foot training facility for St. Thomas More High School — which has won the most Louisiana state championships in the last... more »
Study suggests physical fitness from childhood to adolescence associated with better mental health
A recent Finnish study has found that good physical fitness from childhood to adolescence is linked to better mental health in adolescence. These results are significant and timely, as mental health problems are currently a... more »
Strength Training Facilities of Excellence: Northern Highlands Reg. High School
Located in Allendale, NJ, roughly 30 minutes outside New York City, Northern Highlands Regional High School has a stand-out training facility for its students and student-athletes. The two-story, 7,600-square-foot facility overlooks the Highlanders stadium and... more »
2024 Strength Coaches Survey results
Strength and conditioning coaches have two primary goals. The first is to improve athletic performance, which usually means improving athletes' speed, strength, and power through systematic training programs for teams and individual athletes, often working... more »
Interpreting new research for optimal protein intake post-workout
With constant advancements in the study and application of sport nutrition taking place, new research findings are around every corner. As the level of competition rises for even the most elite athletes, the application of... more »
In-season women’s hockey programming considerations
The ice hockey season spans from mid-September to late March, making it one of the longest seasons of all NCAA sports. Despite the season length, it is one of the more routine weekly microcycles with... more »
Study suggests regular light exercise can help with PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common mental disorder caused by severe stress. Recent research suggests that exercise can help prevent and treat PTSD. However, the specific effects of light-intensity exercise (LIE) on PTSD symptoms... more »
New study on avoiding shoulder injuries in elite swimmers
As Australian swimming athletes proved their conviction with terrific success at the Paris 2024 Games, Griffith University researchers have devised a new strategy to help athletes avoid one of the most common injuries in competitive... more »
Pelvic floor training to improve athletic performance
Want to improve your athletic performance? You might want to consider strengthening your pelvic floor. The pelvic floor muscles are part of your core and can contribute to overall strength and stability. A recent story... more »
King’s College Strength and Conditioning Program lands national accreditation
King’s College announced that its Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science Strength and Conditioning track is now one of the first in the United States—and the first undergraduate program in Pennsylvania—to receive accreditation from the... more »
Study suggests squats may help with sleep
A new study out of the University of Otago in New Zealand suggests that doing short but regular bouts of resistance exercises, like squats, at night may help people sleep longer. Participants who performed brief... more »
Wheelchair accessible fitness equipment may be on the horizons
A team of five engineering students from the University of Ottawa has developed a prototype that's transforming the fitness experience for individuals with mobility challenges. The prototype makes a standard Concept2 rower wheelchair accessible, providing... more »
The evolution of the football speed coach
The game of football continues to evolve. Twenty-first-century players are bigger, faster, and stronger. But of these three physical traits, speed remains the most coveted. In 1975, the Dallas Cowboys hired Bob Ward as the... more »
Practical programming for young strength coaches
Young coaches must grasp simple training concepts, such as progression and overloading. While all experiences should help them build out their coaching toolbox, not all tools need to be used, and your tools evolve with... more »
Study: Higher training volume leads to increased size, not strength
Which way is better to improve strength in athletes through weight training — high reps and low weight or low reps and high weight? A new study explores this idea. The study, which was presented at... more »
