NSCA-CPSS case studies
NSCA-CPSS · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The NSCA Certified Performance & Sport Scientist (CPSS) is an advanced certification for professionals who use scientific, data-driven methods to optimize athlete performance, recovery, and injury risk reduction. Launched in 2021 as the first stateside sport science certification, the CPSS is designed for sport scientists, tactical performance leaders, and practitioners working in high-performance sports, tactical units, or research settings. The NSCA-CPSS case studies are 5 cases and about 2,659 words.
1Fatigue, low ferritin, and a coach-planned altitude camp
An elite 24-year-old female cyclist reports persistent fatigue and declining 20-minute power over the past 6 weeks. She trains 18–20 h/week and has a heavy menstrual bleed lasting 6 days each cycle.
576 words, about 3 min2Smartphone jump testing versus force plates for a basketball club
A basketball club with 16 players wants to replace its force-plate testing with a smartphone app that estimates countermovement jump height from a phone placed on the floor. In a pilot, 12 players performed three jumps on each system in one session.
530 words, about 3 min3Interpreting an open-label collagen pilot before squad-wide adoption
A sports medicine team completed a 12-week pilot study of 15 g collagen plus 50 mg vitamin C daily for patellar tendinopathy in 28 jumping athletes. The intervention was open-label, and usual care was compared with collagen plus usual care.
496 words, about 2 min4Sevens tournament rotation with a returning hamstring injury
A national sevens rugby squad has 12 available players for a two-day tournament in 3 weeks. The format allows up to six 14-minute matches, with 2–3 hours between matches on day one and a possible final on day two.
532 words, about 3 min5Preseason heat acclimatization with no GPS and limited staff
A Division III soccer team begins preseason in 14 days with 26 players, including 8 freshmen who have not trained with the squad. The forecast heat index is 36–39°C for the first week, sessions are scheduled on an artificial turf field at 15:00, and the first match is 14 days away.
525 words, about 3 min