title: Strength and conditioning practices of National Football League strength and conditioning coaches.
abstract: This article describes the results of a survey of the practices of National Football League strength and conditioning (NFL S&C) coaches. The response rate was 87% (26 of 30). This survey examines survey participant (a) background information, (b) physical testing, (c) flexibility development, (d) speed development, (e) plyometrics, (f) strength/power development, (g) unique aspects, and (h) comments. Results reveal that 18 of 26 (69%) NFL S&C coaches follow a periodization model (PM). Of these coaches, 14 of 16 (88%) who responded to the question reported their athletes used Olympic-style lifts, and 17 of 18 coaches (94%) employed plyometric exercises. Coaches who reported following a PM tested an average of 9.8 variables of fitness, which is an average of 3.55 times per year. Seven of 26 (27%) NFL S&C coaches did not follow a PM (NPM). Five of 7 (71%) of these coaches reported following "high-intensity training" (HIT) principles. None of these coaches reported using Olympic-style lifts. Two of 7 (29%) reported using plyometrics. NFL S&C coaches who follow an NPM reported testing an average of 2.12 variables of fitness, which is an average of 2 times per year. A variety of other strength and conditioning practices were examined.
authors.affiliation: Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201, USA.
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Ebben
authors.forename: D O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Blackard
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D003625:Data Collection; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005538:Football / Q000193:education* / Q000502:physiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D018583:Pliability; D014481:United States