Human Kinetics and NSCA continue to provide coaches and athletes with the best sources of knowledge and guidelines in strength and conditioning.
The co-editor of Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning 5E, G. Gregory Haff, talks about the new features in the book as well as changes and trends in the strength training and conditioning field, along with the reasons universities need to use this book.
Since the book was first published over 30 years ago, what has changed in the field of Strength Training and Conditioning? What are the most significant updates in this new fifth edition of the book?
I currently own every edition of the text and have had the honour to co-edit the last two editions of what I believe is a seminal strength and conditioning text. The text has evolved extensively over the last 30 years as our understanding of the training process has evolved and the profession of strength and conditioning has grown. The overall quality of the text has also increased from a black and white first edition to a 5th edition that is full of high-quality images and graphics. The 5th edition has the highest page count and for the first time we have had to move the chapter references to an online resource to ensure that every page is full of the information that strength coaches want to see. As for online resources with each edition more and more supplementary material has been developed.
As a follow-up question – the previous edition published in 2015. Looking back on the previous edition and the new edition, which new chapters or topics were you most excited about in the process of preparing the new edition?
I believe that the 5th edition has the most notable changes when compared to previous editions. Professor Triplett and I work with the NSCA and Human Kinetics to add several new chapters that address important topics. My favourite new chapter was written by Professor Andy Fry and Professor Brad Nindl. For the first time the text has a chapter that provides the reader with a deep dive into Overreaching, Overtraining, and Recovery. The authors of this chapter created some of the best graphical depictions of these concepts that I have seen associated with this topic.
How does Essentials of strength training and conditioning distinguish itself from other resources in the field?
I think Essentials distinguishes itself in a couple of ways. Firstly, it is the official text of the NSCA and represents a collection of best foundational practices. This is an important caveat as this text provides the foundational information that underpins strength and conditioning. Secondly, the text is comprehensive and the NSCA seeks to ensure that it is updated in a responsible way and not simply in response to the latest flavour of the month. It is based upon scientific evidence and not simply opinion. Thirdly, the text brings together a diverse group of authors who bring unique insight to the core NSCA principles. Finally, this text is an evolution of the first true comprehensive text on strength and conditioning.
In what ways do you anticipate the strength and conditioning field will change in the near future?
I believe that before we can look forward, we need to look backwards. Many young professional lack an appreciation of the history of our profession and the volumes of research that has been done that many have forgotten. For example, currently isometric training is very popular and touted as a modern training phenomenon, but when we look back through the literature, we see that these methods were discussed and researched in the 1950’s and 1960s. Many of the question being asked, have already been explored. But if you read many of the current research on isometrics, we see unintentional replication of these early works. So, I always tell my students look back to the early work and contextualise what you are reading in the modern literature.
What emerging trends in strength training and conditioning should professionals and students pay attention to?
The one place I think we will see unprecedented changes is how generative AI will impact programming, monitoring and the overall roles that strength coaches will perform. It will be interesting to see how the profession evolves as I believe knowledge about the use of AI will enhance the ability of the strength coach to spend less time doing administrative task and more time focusing on coaching and interacting with athletes.
Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning provides students with a wealth of online resources and learning materials. How can readers best put these to use to enhance their learning?
The Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning is a foundational text that I believe all strength coaches should have in their professional libraries. This text provides a complied comprehensive resource, that can be referenced at any time. I am a firm believer that developing a professional library and actively reading texts like the Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning is a key component of being a professional. I often tell my students to read this seminal text and take notes, ask question, and explore the topics by exploring resources provided in the NSCA Journals (i.e., Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and Strength and Conditioning Journal).
Do you have any recommendations for people looking at Strength and Conditioning degrees, qualifications, mentors, etc.? What advice you give to young professionals starting out in this field?
The strength and conditioning field is a very competitive field which requires those who wish to enter the profession to have a strong understanding of sports science, particularly developing an understanding of physiology, biomechanics, and monitoring techniques. This knowledge base is best achieved by attending academic programs recognised by the NSCA via the CASCE program or the ERP program. In addition to developing a foundational knowledge of the science that underpins performance the young professional needs to develop the physical skills required to demonstrate the various resistance training, conditioning activities, speed development techniques, and plyometric exercises that are used within the development of athletes. The ability to correctly demonstrate appropriate technique as well as understand what these various training methods feel like enhances the coach’s ability to relate and connect with athletes. Based upon these foundations the young professional needs to work on the coaching and programming skills. This is best achieved by working under established coaches who can serve as mentors. My biggest advice is to focus on evidence-based practice, train yourself, and find mentors who can help you navigate the profession.
About the Co-Editor G. Gregory Haff
G. Gregory Haff, PhD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA, is a professor of strength and conditioning based in Australia. He has published more than 280 articles, centering his research on performance effects in the areas of strength-training methodologies, performance testing, training theory, and nutritional supplementation.
Haff is a past president of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and a senior associate editor for the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. In 2021 he received the NSCA Impact Award for his significant contributions to the strength and conditioning profession. Additionally, in 2014 he was the United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA) Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year for Education and Research and the 2011 NSCA William J. Kraemer Outstanding Sport Scientist Award winner. He is a certified strength and conditioning specialist with distinction (CSCS,*D), a UKSCA-accredited strength and conditioning coach (ASCC), and an accredited Australian Strength and Conditioning Association level 2 strength and conditioning coach.
Additionally, Haff is a national-level weightlifting coach in the United States and Australia. He serves as a consultant for numerous sporting bodies, including teams in the Australian Football League, Australian Rugby Union, Australian Basketball Association, and National Football League.
Adapted from:
Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning
NSCA, G. Gregory Haff, N. Travis Triplett