Strength and Conditioning (S&C) is the physical and physiological development of athletes for elite sport performance. The role of the S&C coach is to bridge the gap between the theory of training and applied training, helping athletes to become faster, stronger and more flexible and to build their muscular endurance so they perform better and remain injury free.

S&C is about more than lifting weights - it encompasses the entire development of the athlete and what is needed  to improve physical performance. This includes plyometrics, speed and agility, endurance and core stability with strength training being just one piece of the jigsaw.

A S&C coach works alongside a sports coach to assist them in designing specific programmes that will address the particular need of the athlete, team and sport. There are many ways a well constructed programme can add to the rehabilitation, speed, agility, endurance and strength of the athletes - a periodised programme that targets both strengths and weaknesses will produce the best possible performance.

Scope of Practice

Practitioners with the specialist skills and competencies for the planning and implementation of physical preparation programmes for performance. It includes processes that result in physical adaptation through integrating fitness components into a programme, which compliments other aspects of the performer's development. This includes, though not exclusively, strength, speed, power, endurance, agility and flexibility.

Effective programming in strength and conditioning presents the best synergistic combination for optimum development whilst preventing the risk of injury.

For more details follow these links:

English Institute of Sport - www.eis2win.co.uk/pages/Strength_and_Condtioning.aspx

UK Strength & Conditioning Association (UKSCA) - www.uksca.org.uk