NSCA's Guide To Program Design (
NSCA's Guide to Program Design: A Review
If you are a strength and conditioning professional, you know how important it is to design effective and periodized training programs for your athletes and clients. But how do you keep up with the latest research and best practices in the field? How do you apply the scientific principles of program design to the specific needs and goals of each individual?
One resource that can help you answer these questions is NSCA's Guide to Program Design, a book published by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) in 2011. This book offers a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to program design, covering topics such as athlete needs assessment, performance testing, warm-up and stretching, resistance training, power training, anaerobic training, endurance training, agility training, speed training, and balance and stability training. It also provides practical examples and sample workouts for various sports and fitness levels.
NSCA's Guide To Program Design (
In this article, we will review some of the key features and benefits of NSCA's Guide to Program Design, and how it can help you improve your skills and knowledge as a strength and conditioning professional.
What is NSCA's Guide to Program Design?
NSCA's Guide to Program Design is part of the Science of Strength and Conditioning series, developed with the expertise of the NSCA, the world's leading organization in strength and conditioning. The series aims to provide coaches and other professionals with evidence-based information and applications for developing training programs for specific athletes at specific times of year.
The book is edited by Jay Hoffman, PhD, CSCS*D, FNSCA, a professor and chair of the Department of Health and Exercise Science at The College of New Jersey. He is also a former president of the NSCA and a renowned researcher and author in the field of strength and conditioning. The book features contributions from 17 other experts in the field, who share their insights and experiences on various aspects of program design.
The book consists of 11 chapters, each focusing on a different component or goal of program design. The chapters are organized as follows:
Chapter 1: Athlete Needs Analysis
Chapter 2: Performance Testing Considerations and Selection
Chapter 3: Warm-Up and Stretching
Chapter 4: Resistance Training Program Design
Chapter 5: Power Training Program Design
Chapter 6: Anaerobic Training Program Design
Chapter 7: Endurance Training Program Design
Chapter 8: Agility Training Program Design
Chapter 9: Speed Training Program Design
Chapter 10: Balance and Stability Training Program Design
Chapter 11: Training Integration, Periodization, and Implementation
The book also includes 20 tables that are sample workouts or training plans for athletes in a variety of sports, such as baseball, basketball, football, soccer, tennis, volleyball, wrestling, and more. These tables can serve as useful references or templates for creating your own programs. Additionally, the book contains technique photos and instructions for select drills and exercises that are relevant to each chapter.
What are the benefits of NSCA's Guide to Program Design?
NSCA's Guide to Program Design offers many benefits for strength and conditioning professionals who want to enhance their program design skills and knowledge. Some of these benefits are:
It provides a scientific basis for program design, based on the latest research and best practices in the field.
It covers all the essential components and goals of program design, from warm-up to balance and stability.
It offers practical guidance and protocols for developing programs for specific sports and fitness levels.
It presents real-world examples and sample workouts from experienced coaches and practitioners.
It helps you understand the reasons and procedures for sequencing training in a safe, sport-specific manner.
It helps you integrate different types of training into a cohesive yearlong program.
It helps you adapt your programs to the individual needs and goals of each athlete or client.
How can you get NSCA's Guide to Program Design?
If you are interested in getting NSCA's Guide to Program Design, you can order it online from various sources, such as [Google Books], [Amazon], or the [NSCA website]. The book costs around $50-$60, depending on the source and format. You can also access some of the content and resources from the book on the NSCA website, such as the training templates, the quick tip videos, and the sample annual training plan.
NSCA's Guide to Program Design is a valuable resource for any strength and conditioning professional who wants to improve their program design skills and knowledge. It offers a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to program design, covering all the essential components and goals of training. It also provides practical examples and sample workouts for various sports and fitness levels. Whether you are a new or experienced professional, NSCA's Guide to Program Design can help you design effective and periodized training programs for your athletes and clients.