NSCA's Guide to Program Design

NSCA's Guide to Program Design offers the most current information, guidance, and protocols from  respected scientists and practitioners with expertise in strength and  conditioning program design. Developed by the National Strength and  Conditioning Association (NSCA), this text offers strength and  conditioning professionals a scientific basis for developing training  programs for specific athletes at specific times of year.

Straightforward and accessible, NSCA’s Guide to Program Design presents a detailed examination of considerations and challenges in  developing a program for each key fitness component and fitness  performance goal. Editor Jay Hoffman and his team of contributors have  assembled an exceptional reference for practicing professionals and a  valuable educational resource for new professionals and students  preparing for certification.

This authoritative text  moves beyond the simple template presentation of program design to help  readers grasp the reasons and procedures for sequencing training in a  safe, sport-specific manner. The text offers 20 tables that are sample  workouts or training plans for athletes in a variety of sports,  technique photos and instructions for select drills, and a sample annual  training plan that shows how to assemble all the pieces previously  presented. Plus, extensive references offer starting points for  continued study and professional enrichment.

NSCA’s Guide to Program Design progresses sequentially through the program design process. It begins  by examining the athlete needs assessment process as well as performance  testing considerations and selection. Next, performance-related  information on both dynamic warm-up and static stretching is discussed  and dynamic warm-up protocols and exercises are presented. Then it  reveals an in-depth by-chapter look at program design for resistance,  power, anaerobic, endurance, agility, speed, and balance and stability  training. For each, considerations and adaptations are examined,  strategies and methods are discussed, and evidence-based information on  program development is presented. The final two chapters help you put it  all together with a discussion of training integration, periodization,  and implementation. In addition, a sample annual training plan  illustrates how to integrate each of the key fitness components into a  cohesive yearlong program. As a bonus, a sample annual training plan is  provided on our website so you can create your own training plans.

The  fitness, safety, and performance of athletes reflect the importance of  continued education in the science of strength and conditioning. NSCA’s Guide to Program Design helps bridge the gap between scientist and practitioner by providing  coaches and other strength and conditioning professionals with  evidence-based information and applications. Sharing the latest in  proven research, NSCA’s Guide to Program Design helps readers remain on the cutting edge of athletic performance.

NSCA’s Guide to Program Design is part of the Science of Strength and Conditioning series. Developed  with the expertise of the National Strength and Conditioning Association  (NSCA), this series of texts provides the guidelines for converting  scientific research into practical application. The series covers topics  such as tests and assessments, program design, and nutrition.