Strength & Conditioning

Initial Assessment

Needs Analysis

Resistance Training Programme Design

Resistance Training Programme Design and Periodisation

Mechanisms of Hypertrophy

Neuromuscular Adaptations

Exercise Programming Templates and Resources

If you only read one article on strength training

Suchomel, T. J., Nimphius, S., Bellon, C. R., & Stone, M. H. (2018). The importance of muscular strength: Training considerations. Sports Medicine, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-018-0862-z 

Aerobic Conditioning

Chronic Adaptations to aerobic conditioning

Aerobic Exercise Programming

Modes of Training

There are many different methods of overloading the musculoskeletal system and the relative usefulness of each method has been the focus of much research (Stone et al, 2000). The links below contain further information on each of the following modes of training.

S&C for specific sports

History of Strength & Conditioning

Click here for more on this subject.

Fitness Instruction

Click here for more references and reading suggestions

The metabolic cost of resistance training

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Textbooks

Cardinale,M., Newton,R., Nosaka,K. (2011) Strength and Conditioning: Biological Principles and Practical Applications. Oxford; Wiley-Blackwell [google books][chap 1 skeletal phys][companion website]

Ericsson, K.A.(2016). Peak: Secrets from the new science of expertise. Random House.. 

Jeffreys, I., & Moody, J. (Eds.). (2021). Strength and conditioning for sports performance (2nd Ed.). Routledge. 

Turner, A., & Comfort, P. (Eds.). (2017). Advanced Strength and Conditioning: An Evidence-based Approach. London, UK: Routledge. 

McGuigan, M. (2019). Testing and Evaluation of Strength and Power. Routledge. 

Ratamess, N. (Ed) (2012) ACSMs Foundations of Strength and Conditioning Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Stone, M.H., Stone,M.E.,Sands,W.A. (2007) Principles and Practice of Resistance Training.Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics [google books]

Winkelman, N. C. (2020). The Language of Coaching: The Art and Science of Teaching Movement. Human Kinetics Publishers.

Zatsiorsky, V.M. & Kraemer, W.J. (2006) Science and Practice of Strength Training (2nd Ed). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics [google books] 

Also see this page titled, "Fitness Instruction" for a more extensive list

Further Selected Reading

Cardinale,M., Newton,R., Nosaka,K. (2011) Strength and Conditioning: Biological Principles and Practical Applications. Oxford; Wiley-Blackwell [google books][chap 1 skeletal phys][companion website]

Carson, F., Leishman, B., Hinck, K., & Hoffmann, S. M. (2021). Identifying the habitual needs of novice strength and conditioning coaches. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Education, 28, 100313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhlste.2021.100313 

Dargo, S. (2009) Unfolding the Practical Knowledge of an Expert Strength and Conditioning Coach International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching 4(1) 17-30 [full text]

Gamble, P., Chia, L., & Allen, S. (2020). The illogic of being data-driven: reasserting control and restoring balance in our relationship with data and technology in football. Science and Medicine in Football, 1-4.  https://doi.org/10.1080/24733938.2020.1854842 

Jeffreys, I. (2015). Evidence based practice in strength and conditioning—reality or fantasy. Prof Strength Cond, 39, 7-14. [researchgate]

Jeffreys, I. (2020). Contextology–is this a new approach to effective coaching?. Professional Strength and Conditioning, 56, 25-34. [researchgate]

Jeffreys, I. (2015). Managing the ecosystem: a forgotten factor in effective S&C delivery. Professional Strength & Conditioning, 37, 27-34. 

LaPlaca, D. A., & Schempp, P. G. (2020). The Characteristics Differentiating Expert and Competent Strength and Conditioning Coaches. Research quarterly for exercise and sport, 91(3), 488-499. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2019.1686451 

Maestroni, L., Read, P., Bishop, C., & Turner, A. (2019). Strength and power training in rehabilitation: underpinning principles and practical strategies to return athletes to high performance. Sports Medicine, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01195-6 

Renfree, A., Casado, A., & McLaren, S. (2021). Re-thinking athlete training loads: would you rather have one big rock or lots of little rocks dropped on your foot?. Research in Sports Medicine, 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1080/15438627.2021.1906672 

Suchomel, T. J., Nimphius, S., Bellon, C. R., & Stone, M. H. (2018). The importance of muscular strength: Training considerations. Sports Medicine, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-018-0862-z 

Szedlak, C., Callary, B., & Smith, M. J. (2019). Exploring the Influence and Practical Development of Coaches' Psychosocial Behaviors in Strength and Conditioning. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 41(2), 8-17. 

Szedlak, C., Smith, M. J., Day, M. C., & Greenlees, I. A. (2015). Effective behaviours of strength and conditioning coaches as perceived by athletes. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 10(5), 967-984. 

Till, K., Muir, B., Abraham, A., Piggott, D., & Tee, J. (2019). A framework for decision-making within strength and conditioning coaching. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 41(1), 14-26.

Further Links

Recommended YouTube Channels