Contributing to the mTBI Return-to-Duty Pathway: Understanding the Role of Subsymptom Aerobic Exercise
Written By Alexander J. Morgan Introduction A concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) occurs when an external force to the head or body results in a combination of rapid linear, rotational, and/or translational forces on the brain. Such forces either directly or indirectly promote a cascade of pathophysiological processes that alter tissue and axonal integrity, as well as cerebrovascular function (2,8,13,22). Unique to the tactical population are blast-related mTBIs that add another subset of physiological and psychological mechanisms and effects (2). For most mTBI cases, after a brief rest period of 24-to-72 hours it is recommended that individuals [...]
CSCA Board of Directors 2025
Congratulations to the CSCA's new Board for 2025 to 2027. Kevin Iwasa-Madge, RD, CSEP-CEP, CSCP (CSCA President) Kevin currently works as a Strength and Conditioning Coach and Sport Nutritionist at the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO). With a robust background in both athletic performance and sports science, he is a Canadian Strength and Conditioning Professional (CSCP), Registered Dietitian (RD), Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP), and a High Performance Certified (HPC) Member of Sport Scientist Canada. Kevin holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Guelph and a Master’s degree from Toronto Metropolitan University. As a former member of the [...]
From Uncertainty to Strength: Building a Disc Golf Training Program from Scratch
Written by Cole Hergott A few years ago my Athletic Director strolled into Sparta (the nickname we use for our weight room), and approached me about an opportunity, “Hey Cole, how would you feel about working with a new breed of athlete in Sparta?” I was confused by his question and figured he was going to tell me that one of our former athletes had a baby or something like that. He then followed that question up with “We are getting a disc golf team!” “Sweet!” I thought. “Wait, what is disc golf?” I’ve heard of it through some of our [...]
Beyond Orders
Video by Elliott Richardson In this video Elliott discusses strageties to effectively use technology to enhance athlete, members, and client rentention. Furthermore, Elliott will also share challenges of technology and data management and offer strategies to effectively address the challenges faced. Beyond Orders Video HERE
Paris Experience
Written by Sheldon Persad The topic of the Olympic games typically brings about divergent views and sentiments. On one end of the spectrum there are those who spend a lifetime preparing for the Olympics in the pursuit of excellence, and on the other end of the spectrum there are those who approach the topic with cynicism and comments about wasted spending. Yes, the Olympics costs host cities a lot of money, and according to Flyvbjerg et al. (2016) every Olympics between 1960 to 2012 went over budget at an average of 172% (1). Specific to the Paris games, with a [...]
Advisory Team Spotlight – Nicole Smart
Nicole Smart has over 15 years of coaching experience. She is an active member of the Canadian Strength and Conditioning Association (CSCA) as part of the Advisory Team and she is also a member of the Ontario Weightlifting Association. She has worked with high-performance athletes from many sporting backgrounds for strength training, sprint development and agility techniques. CSCA: What was it that first interested you about being in the S&C field? NS: In 2016, I was coaching youth sports and realized that I was more interested in developing athletic qualities than athletic skill. I knew then that I wanted to [...]
Ammonia Inhalants
Written by Trevor Cottrell Ammonia inhalants (AI), also known as smelling salts, are common in the powerlifting gym. Coming in various capsule or bottle forms, these inhalants are made of ammonia carbonate and release ammonia gas, that when inhaled, causes a strong nervous system response that is thought to enhance focus and ability to move weight. Although anecdotally supported by many lifters, the safety and efficacy of its use is often in question. Research on AI use as a strength performance aid is limited. A study of Australian powerlifters found that over half have used AIs, with the majority of [...]
CSCA AGM 2024
2024 CSCA Annual General Meeting The CSCA Annual General Meeting is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the organization in the past year, and to set a course for the next year in our effort to promote the profession of strength and conditioning in Canada. All members are invited to attend Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 6:00pm EST which will be hosted virtually through the Zoom platform. Details have already been sent to the CSCA membership, however, if you are not yet a member, you are able to attend and vote if you secure your membership prior to [...]
CSCA and CSEP Collaboration Announcement
The Canadian Strength and Conditioning Association (CSCA) in partnership with the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) is excited to announce the development and launch of Canada’s first and only strength and conditioning credential, the Certified Strength and Conditioning Professional (CSCP). The CSCP credential is allocated to an individual who has completed all academic and professional experience requirements and successfully demonstrated coaching and knowledge proficiencies set forth by the CSCA’s newly developed mentorship program. Through continued collaboration with various national organizations, both employers and athletes will recognize that the CSCP qualifies a strength and conditioning professional to design and administer [...]
Opportunities for S&C Coaches in the Canadian Armed Forces
Presented by Elliott Richardson In this presentation Elliott Richardson discusses career opportunities for fitness instructors and S&C coaches in the Canadian Armed Forces. While geared towards newer professionals in the field, this presentation may also be of value to those currently in the industry looking for a new challenge. Elliott is a current CSCA Advisory Team Member and previously served on the CSCA Board as a Director. To view the presentation please click HERE You can find a copy of the slide presentation HERE
Medical Doctor to Strength & Conditioning: Unlearning to Learn
Written by Sugandhat Bharti Most of the sports scientists and strength & conditioning coaches reading this might have started with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology, then perhaps moved on to a higher education in the same area. Perhaps some even transitioned to an allied health, or even medicine for a career. I did the opposite. I was a medical doctor. I completed my degree in medicine from India, however, while practicing I had an urge to do more and interact with patients differently. I had the urge to meet patients where they were rather than just having them see me [...]
CSCA Advisory Team Spotlight – Tanner Care
CSCA Advisory Team Member Tanner Care is the Director of Performance for the Vancouver Bandits (CEBL) and Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for Simon Fraser University (NCAA). Originating from Burlington ONT, Tanner's journey in sport performance started through his own experince as an athlete in the sports of football, track, and bobsled. He then received Strength and Conditioning mentorship at a young age from practitioners such as Larry Jusdanis and former CSCA Board Member Marcello Campanaro. Tanner now works in both professional and collegiate athletics that ranges across 13 different sports and has helped produce over 30 All-Americans. The CSCA asked [...]
Are Your Cleans Doing What They Are Supposed to do?
Written by Leo Totten, MS, USAW 5 Whether your sport is powerlifting, strongman, football or any other “strength” sport, the power clean should be part of your workout plan. Obviously, the major emphasis of your training should be whatever discipline you are participating in, but including power cleans at the right time can enhance the performance in any strength sport. When choosing the exercises to be put into your program, there are two primary considerations to keep in mind. Does the exercise fit a need or purpose and are the athletes able to perform the exercise correctly so it actually [...]
Navigating Different Sporting Cultures
Written by Joe Vecchione Many strength & conditioning (S&C) coaches will work with a variety of sports in their career spanning different ages and levels. Through these experiences, we quickly realize that each sport and level bring a diverse set of S&C deliverables and interpersonal dynamics to navigate. The training routines and roles of the S&C coach have evolved within a deep-rooted culture that spans decades. I am referring to the meta culture of a sport that transcends the team or program we work with creates the common threads that make up the fabric of a sport environment at large. [...]
Strength & Conditioning Resources for Femoroacetabular Impingement
Written by Michael Silvestri Introduction & What is FAI As strength and conditioning professionals, part of the scope of practice is to work with athletes to manage and mitigate the risk of injury in sport. Having an athlete injured, or being an injured athlete is not a positive experience, as this would require the athlete to miss time away from their given sport. Although not all injuries can be prevented through training – particularly contact-related injuries – there are non-contact and overuse related injuries that strength and conditioning professionals should be aware of and work towards mitigating non-contact and overuse [...]
Alternative and Complementary Training Methods for Strength and Flexibility
Authors: David G Behm1, Andreas Konrad2 and Konstantin Warneke3 Institutions: 1 School of Human Kinetic and Recreation, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, A1C 5S7. 2 Institute of Human Movement Science, Sport and Health, Graz University, Graz, Austria. 3 Institute of Sport Science, University of Klagenfurt, Universitätsstraße 65-67 9020 Klagenfurt, Austria Corresponding Author: David G Behm, School of Human Kinetic and Recreation, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, A1C 5S7. 709-864-3408 Running Title: Resistance and Stretch Training Similarities Introduction It has been well known for millennia (e.g., legendary Milo of Croton progressing from lifting a calf [...]
An Interview with Track Coach Les Gramantik: Part 3
You know, we had to complete a Decathlon as part of passing my undergraduate degree.
CSIO Strength & Conditioning Coach Employment Opportunity
POSITION TITLE: PS1 Strength & Conditioning Coach (1.0 FTE) Posting Date: Thursday, August 31, 2023 DEPARTMENT: Performance Services Application Deadline: Monday, September 18, 2023 (09:00am EST) LOCATION: Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre) 875 Morningside Avenue, Suite 100, Toronto Interview Date: Week of September 25, 2023 (Date TBC) ORGANIZATION The Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO) is committed to providing best-in-class, multi-sport daily training environments for athletes and coaches through expert leadership, services, and programs. Our Purpose is Elevating people and performances Our Values are Commitment, Synergy, Integrity, Openness PERFORMANCE SERVICES CORE OBJECTIVES The Performance Services business unit [...]
CSCA Advisory Team Spotlight – Jennifer Stielow
CSCA Advisory Team Members Jennifer Stielow is the Performance Pathway Manager & Performance Data Analyst at Alpine Canada. She strives to support individuals who can train sensibly and systematically in a safe, clean, and professional manner for individual growth, enjoyment, and the development of performance excellence in both sport and life. CSCA: How did you initially find out about the CSCA? JS: After online searching for credentials in Canada, I found the website and subscribed to the newsletter. I was struck by the content and thought, here is a group of people doing great work in Canada to help connect [...]
Part 1 – Return to High Performance Sport: Progress and Suggestions in the Midst of COVID-19
The objectives of this article are to share the processes, challenges, and successes of reopening facilities dedicated to high performance sport in Canada. In so doing, specifics are shared related to one case study. Additionally, in being open and transparent, practices outlined here within may be appropriate and applicable, for facility owners and operators, during reopening phases in the public and private sectors. Each Canadian Provincial and Territorial government links, for specific guidance, are included at the end of this article. Note, the comment/blog reply posting feature is activated for this article. We encourage you to post your feedback, replies, [...]
