Understanding Strength and Conditioning as Sport Coaching: Bridging the Biophysical, Pedagogical and Sociocultural Foundations of Practice

Contemporary strength and conditioning coaching is, for the most part, informed by the exercise sciences, with little engagement being made with sociocultural and pedagogical perspectives which have emerged in sports coaching research over the last two decades. In Understanding Strength and Conditioning as Sport Coaching: Bridging the Biophysical, Pedagogical and Sociocultural Foundations of Practice, the authors – whose expertise span strength and conditioning, sports coaching and pedagogy – help students and coaches to integrate perspectives from these disciplines to enhance their strength and conditioning coaching practice.

The book encourages readers to add moral, ethical and political considerations to the technical aspects of their coaching practice. It discusses and applies concepts to a full range of strength and conditioning settings, including elite performance, young athletes, ageing athletes and returning to play following injury.

Featuring an eResource, and structured around rich, narrative pedagogical cases reflecting the issues faced by practising strength and conditioning coaches, the book offers a thoroughly engaging introduction to pedagogical and sociocultural concepts and literature in a strength and conditioning context. This is a vital book for students of strength and conditioning, and an important resource for practising strength and conditioning coaches and sport science staff.

Tania Cassidy is Associate Professor in Sport Pedagogy at the School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Otago, New Zealand.

Phil Handcock is Lecturer in the Prescription of Physical Activity and Exercise, Athletic Training and Conditioning at the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health, Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Brian Gearity is Assistant Professor and Director of Online Graduate Programs in Sport, Strength and Conditioning, and Psychology of Coaching at the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver, USA.

Lisette Burrows is Professor of Community Health at Te Huataki Waiora School of Health, University of Waikato, New Zealand.