Certifications Lecture 4

What Qualifications Are Available? National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) USA Weightlifting Sport Performance Coach Weightlifting coach Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa) American Fitness Professionals Associations (AFPA) Strength Trainer Certification International Fitness Professionals Association (IFPA) Strength and Sports Conditioning Specialist International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) Strength and Conditioning Certification United States Sports Academy (USSA) Sports Strength and Conditioning Applied Sports Performance Scientific Principles of Coaching Education

What Qualifications Are Available? REMEMBER THESE ARE NOT THE ONLY QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE!!!

EDUCATION

Does Education Ensure Quality? Survey of undergraduate institutions 119 schools responded. Examined the focuses of each of the institutions in relation to completion of an Exercise Science degree (Bachelor’s). “…most institutions place minimal emphasis on content areas related to health promotion such as stress management, and many curricula did not require field experience.” -Elder et al. (2003). Source: Elder, C. L., Pujol, T. J., Barnes, J. T., An Analysis of Undergraduate Exercise Science Programs: An Exercise Science Curriculum Survey, Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 17 (3), , 2003.

Does Education Ensure Quality? Source: Elder, C. L., Pujol, T. J., Barnes, J. T., An Analysis of Undergraduate Exercise Science Programs: An Exercise Science Curriculum Survey, Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 17 (3), , Separation of “Theoretical Base” and “Practical Base” determined by presenter. Theoretical BasePractical Base ContentPercent FocusContentPercent Focus Exercise Physiology94.52Special Populations63.01 Biomechanics94.52Resistance Training64.38 Human Anatomy90.41Care and Prevention58.90 Human Physiology89.04Field Experience57.53 Exercise Testing83.56Implement Exercise Programs56.16 Exercise Prescription75.34First Aid / CPR49.32 Nutrition75.34Sports Nutrition42.47 General Chemistry69.86Exercise and Aging42.47 Motor Learning60.27Professional Preparation42.47 Sport Psy/Soc47.95Stress Management38.36 Physics46.58Healthy Behavior36.99 Organic Biochemistry32.88Emergency Safety31.51 Fitness Facility Management30.14 Substance Abuse20.55 Average71.69Average45.30

CERTIFICATIONS

Major Trainers & Their Certs. Jillian Michaels – National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association (NESTA) – Aerobics and Fitness Association of America – Kettlebell Concepts – American Fitness Professionals and Associates Source:

Major Trainers & Their Certs. Bob Harper – American Fitness Training of Athletics Association – Aerobic and Fitness Association of America – Kettlebell, Level 1 – CrossFit – CrossFit Olympic Lifting Source:

Major Trainers & Their Certs. Dolvett Quince – International Sports Sciences Association – IFFA (no further information given; suggested that it went out of business) Source:

Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) Offers two options for certification; online and onsite 3-day certification workshop (also offered online) Online 120 question exam “AFAA certified professionals who wish to register only for CEU credit pay a workshop fee of $255. Receive 15 CEUs.” Source:

ACCREDITATION

Types of Accreditation National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) – ORIGINAL AGENCY Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) National Board of Fitness Examiners (NBFE) National Fitness Leadership Alliance (NFLA)

How to check accreditation trainer?page=0&accred[NCCA]=NCCA&partner[y es]=yes&op=Apply&ajaxsubmit=1

NATIONAL STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING ASSOCIATION (NSCA)

NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) Prerequisites Bachelor’s degree or higher CPR/AED Certification Examination Procedures Exam has 2 portions; both sections must be passed Scientific Foundation (Nutrition and Exercise Science). Practical/Applied (Exercise Technique, Program Design, Organization and Administration, and Testing/Evaluation. Exam is done on a computer; therefore, no direct measurement of exercise technique competence. Additional Comments Works with athletes to improve athletic performance Nationally accredited (NCCA) certification in strength and conditioning. Source: nsca-lift.org

NSCA-CPT Requirements – 18 years old with HS diploma – CPR/AED Tests are administered at a certified location No hands on portion of the exam “Recognizing their own area of expertise, personal trainers refer clients to other health care professionals when appropriate.” Nationally accredited (NCCA) personal training exam Source: nsca-lift.org

AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SPORTS MEDICINE (ACSM)

ACSM-CPT Requirements: – 18 years old – CPR/AED – High School Diploma “Works with apparently healthy individuals and those with healthy challenges who are able to exercise independently.” Exam administered by a 3 rd party NCCA Accredited Source:

ACSM Certified Health Fitness Specialist (HFS) Requirements – Bachelor’s degree in Ex. Science or related field – CPR/AED Works with individuals who are “apparently healthy or have medically controlled diseases or health conditions.” Exam is administered by 3 rd party NCCA Accredited Source:

ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist Requirements: – Bachelors degree in Ex. Science or equivalent – Practical experience ( hours) – CPR for Professional Rescuer “Works with patients and cliets challenged with cardiovascular pulmonary, and metabolic diseases and disorders” NCCA Accredited Source:

AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EXERCISE (ACE)

ACE Personal Trainer Requirements – 18 years old – CPR/AED Designed for trainers to work with INDIVIDUALS NCCA Accredited Source:

ACE Group Fitness Instructor Requirements – 18 years old – CPR/AED Designed for fitness professionals teaching any form of exercise in a group setting NCCA Accredited Source:

ACE Advanced Health & Fitness Specialist Requirements – 18 years old – CPR/AED – NCCA accredited personal trainer certification – 300 hours of work experience “prepare (the individual) to provide extensive programming for the most common diseases and disorders.” NCCA Accredited Source:

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SPORTS MEDICINE (NASM)

NASM Certified Personal Trainer Requirements: – 18 years old – CPR/AED Exam administered by 3 rd party “Personal trainers are healthy and fitness professionals who perform individualized assessments…to clients with NO MEDICAL OR SPECIAL NEEDS” NCCA Accredited Source:

USA Weightlifting: Sport Performance Coach – Level 1 Prerequisites NONE Examination Procedures Participants undergo a 1-weekend long course (13-14 hours). 9 hours of the course are spent as a practical hands-on portion. 4-5 hours are spent as lecture based learning. Additional Comments CPR/First Aid is not required for this certification. Focuses primarily on Olympic style lifting (Power Snatch, Power Clean, etc.). This is an “in-person” course, therefore allowing for a true examination of the individual’s practical knowledge and technique. Source: teamusa.org/USA-Weightlifting/Coaching/Certification-Requirements.aspx

Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association Prerequisites Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution Current CPR certification Examination Procedures Written exam concerning theoretical components to strength and conditioning. Oral/Practical examination focusing on exercise technique and program design. Additional Comments Individuals that become CSCCa certified must also complete a 8-9 month practicum administered by a CSCCa approved mentor. This mentor must recommend the individual sit for the exam before the individual is allowed to do so. Source: cscca.org/certification/sccc

AFPA Strength Trainer Certification Prerequisites 18 years of age Functional knowledge of English and arithmetic Examination Procedures All testing is completed at the individual’s pace without a proctor. Individual’s have 6 months to complete all testing materials. Incorporates both a written and practical section. Source: afpafitness.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_19

Review Education programs around the country tend to focus on theoretical knowledge, however, seem to be lacking in practical/applicable knowledge. Many certifications require practical and theoretical knowledge; however, there is a large discrepancy in the rigor of strength and conditioning certifications.

Recommendations While education does not guarantee quality, theoretical knowledge is essential to proper, individualized program design. Practical knowledge of lifting technique as well as an ability to demonstrate lifting techniques is also important. Therefore, education in conjunction with certification (emphasizing in exercise technique) is most recommended.

Questions?