N I S RI
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2021 YEAR IN REVIEW
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“GREAT AND ADJUST WE DID! This quote from NSCA’s founder Boyd Epley brought us inspiration and set the tone for 2021 as we faced the continuing challenges of another pandemic year. We realize what a difficult time this has been for our members, association, industry, and beyond. But with determination and innovation, alongside our fabulous members, volunteers, and staff, the NSCA has been able to take great strides forward to achieve many successes this year as we continue our mission to advance the strength and conditioning profession. Now more than ever, our profession is needed. The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified problems and issues that have long been with us, as well as introducing new changes and hurdles in the ways our society works, plays, and lives. The priority of health and well-being has been elevated in our
collective consciousness. Mental health needs have received more recognition than ever while also becoming increasingly difficult for many. Chronic conditions from inactivity continue to rise, even while greater numbers of people take steps to improve their activity and fitness. Our resilience continues to be tested, and people young and old are seeking ways to improve their health and their lives. But in these challenging times, we have the opportunity to make a difference. We have the tools, the research, the science, and the inspiration to teach, coach, and train individuals and teams to a stronger, healthier tomorrow. As we continue to adjust in the crucible of our times, we have the opportunity to forge stronger, wiser, healthier individuals, professionals, organizations, teams, and humans. We have seen
S E N O JUST!” D A
great success in those endeavors during the past year. As we celebrate them and close out 2021, we also look forward to continuing refinements and strategic improvements for even greater advancements of our association, members, and the wide spectrum of tactical professionals and athletes — from novice to elite — whose lives we are all fortunate to impact. Together, we will continue to embrace the challenges that come, growing stronger through perseverance and smarter through research-based innovation as we improve athletic performance and fitness and advance the strength and conditioning profession. Thank you to all our members and partners who sweat with us in the trenches and make this vision a reality. NSCA successes are your successes, and we celebrate you at the core of all we have been able to accomplish this year!
Brent Alvar, PhD, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D, FNSCA NSCA BOARD PRESIDENT
THANK YOU TO OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS The NSCA Board of Directors is comprised of experienced and talented individuals who share the ideals and principles behind the NSCA’s vision, mission, and core values. We are grateful for the advisement, support, and diverse perspectives they contribute as volunteers to guide the work of the NSCA as we advance the strength and conditioning profession.
Dr. Brent Alvar
Robert Alejo
Dr. Helen M. Binkley
Darnell Clark
Dr. Paul Comfort
Robert Linkul
Dr. Sally Paulson
Dr. Brandon Roberts
Kacie Wallace
President
Board Member
Sports Medicine Professional Board Member
Vice President
Board Member
Academician/Researcher Board Member
Secretary/Treasurer
Personal Training Board Member
Public Board Member
ELEVATED CERTIFICATION NSCA certifications continue to elevate the standard for excellence and professionalism in the strength and conditioning industry. The pandemic presented unexpected challenges during a recertification year, including the closure of Pearson VUE centers for testing and restrictions on public gatherings. We adapted to not only overcome the the difficulties, but to improve the certification process and offerings moving forward. We were able to add at-home opportunities to complete CEUs, as well as offer discounts on quizzes, virtual exam prep events, and recertification fees. Here are more highlights.
ALL DIGITAL CERTIFICATES
The new digital format allows instant access to your hardearned credentials by sharing a secure, verifiable document with employers and associates. It also gives additional exposure by making it easy to share your achievement with friends, family, and the public on social media.
GREATER VERSATILITY
More CEUs and improved categories streamline the recertification process and recognize your efforts toward advancing knowledge and skills.
NEW AND GROWING CERTIFICATIONS CERTIFIED PERFORMANCE AND SPORT SCIENTIST (CPSS) This new certification recognizes those who specialize in the application of scientific processes to improve individual and team athletic performance and decrease injury risk. The additional certification reinforces NSCA’s commitment to strengthen an exciting and growing professional field. TACTICAL STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING FACILITATOR® (TSAC-F®) The number of certificants earning the Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator (TSAC-F) continues to grow. The certification recognizes and ensures the highest level of scientifically based training and injury protection for military, law enforcement, protective services, fire and rescue, and other emergency personnel.
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MEMBERS ARE SAYING…
It’s the gold standard. The research, the community, the certifications. There isn’t any better.
VERSATILE EVENTS AND CONFERENCES Gathering together lies at the heart of the NSCA. Our conferences, clinics, and courses bring together experts and leading practitioners to connect and learn from each other as they sharpen their skills and propel each other forward. COVID-19 dealt a blow to public gatherings, but it couldn’t stop connection from happening.
VIRTUAL SOLUTIONS
All NSCA events converted to virtual in 2020, and nearly 10,000 attendees participated in 37 conferences and clinics. We are especially thankful to our volunteer state and provincial leadership for their contributions to NSCA’s events through the pandemic. With new technological solutions, we were able to deliver a 3D Virtual Exhibit Hall that enabled attendees to take advantage of products and resources from our industry partners.
IN PERSON AGAIN
We revamped our livestream methodology to offer a hybrid experience for in-person events that engages and includes the online audience, and we will continue to offer both in-person and virtual attendance at conferences and events beyond the pandemic. It was especially exciting to be able to gather in person again in 2021 at the National Conference in Orlando and the Tactical Annual Training in Norfolk. Both events saw strong turnouts with renewed appreciation for being together again.
NSCA TV July brought the exciting launch of NSCA TV, the new go-to hub for NSCA’s shortand long-format video content where members can easily find and watch topics that interest them most. Plus, you can access NSCA TV on your phone through our brand new mobile app. New content is in development to make bridging the gap between science and application more accessible than ever.
GROWING MEMBERSHIP NSCA membership and certification are more valuable than ever in the challenging economy and workforce. Members enjoy credibility, accountability, education, resources, and the community of our industry’s best who stand and work alongside each other. Overall membership numbers continue to grow. Member count reached its highest total in 2020. Special Interest Groups reached 25 groups with more than 55,000 group members.
CHANGING YOUNG LIVES Young and aspiring athletes matter too. In some ways, youth and high school coaches face even greater responsibility and challenge as they guide and shape the athletic and life development of their students. That’s why we continue to advocate for qualified strength and conditioning coaches at the high school level through our relationship with the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) and reach out to the people who make hiring decisions in high schools. We have also been recognized by the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition as a National Youth Sports Strategy Champion, and we have endorsed the Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports, an Aspen Institute/Project Play initiative. Both of these initiatives help us provide education about youth strength and conditioning to those who implement programs.
VALUABLE CORPORATE SUPPORT Though some relationships changed through the challenges of the pandemic, the NSCA continued to work with both longtime and new corporate partners who support the NSCA’s mission, values, and community.
NSCA AROUND THE WORLD The global pandemic hit our NSCA Foreign Affiliates hard as well, but they celebrated excellent growth at a time when sound education and certification differentiates the highest level professionals. The NSCA Guidance on Safe Return to Training for Athletes was adopted and translated for China, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, and Spain. NSCA Japan achieved the highest recertification rate on record at 89% and grew to 6,000 members at the end of 2021. NSCA Shanghai has grown from 800 in 2018 to 3,900 certified individuals at the end of 2021. Global Chapter India became the newest international partner.
POWERFUL PUBLICATIONS NSCA publications remain trusted, comprehensive, go-to texts for strength and conditioning professionals at every career stage. This was a significant year for our publishing efforts, as we released several new and updated books. The first printing of Essentials of Sport Science sold out quickly, but we were able to meet the demand by reprinting a second run, thanks to our partnership with Human Kinetics.
NEW & UPDATED BOOKS
INFORMATIVE JOURNALS The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and Strength and Conditioning Journal tallied a record-high number of article views with more than 2 million.
TOP FIVE ARTICLES
JOURNAL OF STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING RESEARCH
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The Mechanisms of Muscle Hypertrophy and Their Application to Resistance Training
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Resistance Training for Older Adults
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Effects of Low- vs. High-Load Resistance Training on Muscle Strength and Hypertrophy in Well-Trained Men
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The Effect of Abdominal Exercise on Abdominal Fat
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Squatting Kinematics and Kinetics and Their Application to Exercise Performance
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING JOURNAL
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CSCCa and NSCA Joint Consensus Guidelines for Transition Periods: Safe Return to Training Following Inactivity
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The Youth Physical Development Model
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Strength and Conditioning for Soccer Players
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The Use of Ammonia Inhalants Among Athletes
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Training Principles for Power
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION This year brought encouraging developments in our efforts to foster a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive strength and conditioning industry. Fitness is for everyone, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital or financial status, or citizenship. As our cultural awareness of systemic racism and injustice has grown in recent years, the NSCA has redoubled our commitment to provide equitable opportunities, access, and resources for individuals from marginalized communities. We have partnered with Men’s Health by supporting the new Strength in Diversity initiative to encourage greater inclusion in the field of strength and conditioning. Our support includes access to top mentors in NSCA’s coaching network, plus complimentary NSCA membership and certification exam registration for trainers from underrepresented groups. NSCA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee launched the pilot Leadership and Diversity Training Program. The mentoring program is designed to prepare and position students and professional members from underrepresented groups for participation in NSCA volunteer activities, service, and leadership opportunities.
In conjunction with the NSCA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee, The NSCA Foundation launched a new scholarship to support equitable access to education. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Student & Professional Development Scholarship provides dedicated funding for the opportunity to attend a local NSCA conference. Launched in August 2021, the scholarship has already been awarded to 10 deserving recipients. Through scholarships and grants, the NSCA Foundation dedicates its resources to the advancement of strength and conditioning research and education. Since 2007, the Foundation has awarded over $3 million to outstanding individuals within the strength and conditioning community.
The culture and the community of growth-minded individuals has inspired my ongoing commitment to a lifetime of learning.
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MEMBERS ARE SAYING…
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MEMBERS ARE SAYING…
As a lecturer in strength and conditioning, I feel confident in recommending membership to my students, and certification is a must for those who want to follow this career pathway.
LOOKING AHEAD: 2021 STRATEGIC PLAN In 2021, the NSCA Board of Directors, volunteer leaders, and staff developed a new 2021 Strategic Plan to guide the organization in fulfilling its mission and vision in ways that reflect the current organizational needs and societal environment. The plan focuses on five areas: professional development, community, advocacy, communication, and organizational excellence.
KEY STRATEGIC AREAS AND OBJECTIVES ADVANCE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AREA
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Advance the strength and conditioning profession through improved research, education, training, and community. ADVANCE COMMUNITY Offer an array of opportunities for the diverse NSCA community to engage, learn, and share ideas. ADVANCE ADVOCACY Engage in activities that define and promote the strength and conditioning profession. ADVANCE COMMUNICATION Inform and educate stakeholders about the strength and conditioning profession. ADVANCE ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE Ensure we have the tools and operational capacity to fulfill our mission.
2021
BY THE NUMBERS
80% RECERTIFICATION RATE
— TH
100
EPISODE OF THE NSCA COACHING PODCAST RELEASED
— 10,000
ATTENDEES AT VIRTUAL EVENTS DURING THE PANDEMIC
— 55,000
GROUP MEMBERS IN NSCA SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS
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2,000,000 JOURNAL ARTICLE VIEWS
ADVANCING THE STRENGTH & CONDITIONING PROFESSION 1885 BOB JOHNSON DRIVE, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80906 PH: 719 632-6722 | TF: 800 815-6826 | FX: 719 632-6367 NSCA.com