The most successful colleges and universities in NCAA Division 1-A sports rely on Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) credential holders to create a foundation for building championship programs. During the 2006-2007 season, 20 of 22, or 91%, of the National Champion teams in Division 1-A varsity mens and womens sports had at least one CSCS certified individual on their staff. CSCS certified individuals use their knowledge in topics such as anatomy, exercise physiology, biomechanics and testing/evaluation to help athletic programs gain national recognition by improving the overall performance of athletes and athletic programs.
The strength and conditioning staff play a significant role in improving the athletic performance of student athletes and building championship teams. CSCS certified individuals possess the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to develop an environment where student athletes in all sports can maximize their athletic performance in competition and potentially decrease the chances of injury. CSCS certified individuals have the capability to improve performance and produce results, because they have demonstrated the aptitude needed to design safe and effective training programs. The training programs create the desired results in body composition, strength, muscular and cardiovascular endurance, speed, agility, coordination, balance and power that lead to improved performance.
The strength training and conditioning program a CSCS certified individual designs will account for the biomechanical and physiological differences among athletes as well as the demands of their specific sport. A CSCS certified individual will educate student athletes on proper nutrition and its role in health and athletic performance. The CSCS credential ensures that the individual possesses this expertise regardless of the sport or athletes needs.
The CSCS certification was established in 1985. Today, more than 22,000 strength coaches, athletic trainers, physical therapists, physicians, chiropractors and educators use the sport-specific knowledge the CSCS certification demonstrates to excel in their profession and enhance athletic performance. For more information on the NSCA Certification Commission or how the CSCS credential can help athletic programs produce championship caliber athletes, please call toll-free 888-746-2378, e-mail commission@nsca-cc.org or visit www.nsca-cc.org.
The NSCA Certification Commission, the certifying agency for the National Strength and Conditioning Association, offers two credentials for fitness professionals. The Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer® (NSCA-CPT®) certifications are considered the Credentials of Distinction in the strength training and conditioning and personal training professions. The NSCA Certification Commission is the only fitness-related organization to offer credentials nationally accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) since 1993.
