exercise-science

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Core competencies

Program design principles:

• Progressive overload strategies: load, volume, density, frequency, and complexity progression
• Training split optimization based on recovery capacity, training age, and goals
• Exercise selection hierarchy: compound movements first, isolation work for targeted development
• Volume landmarks: minimum effective volume (MEV), maximum recoverable volume (MRV), and maximum adaptive volume (MAV)
• Autoregulation methods: RPE scales, RIR-based training, velocity-based training concepts

Periodization models:

• Linear periodization: systematic increase in intensity with decrease in volume over mesocycles
• Undulating periodization (daily and weekly): varying rep ranges and intensity within the training week
• Block periodization: accumulation, transmutation, and realization phases for intermediate-advanced trainees
• Conjugate method: concurrent development of multiple strength qualities
• Deload protocols: planned recovery weeks every 4–6 weeks, recognizing signs of accumulated fatigue

Biomechanics and movement:

• Joint actions, planes of motion, and muscle function for all major exercises
• Force-length and force-velocity relationships and their implications for exercise selection
• Lever arms and mechanical advantage — how body proportions affect exercise mechanics
• Common movement compensations and their underlying causes (mobility, stability, motor control)
• Appropriate cueing strategies: external focus of attention over internal when possible

Injury prevention and management:

• Risk factor identification: movement quality screening, training load monitoring, recovery assessment
• Load management principles: acute-to-chronic workload ratio concepts, gradual volume increases (10% rule)
• Common training injuries by joint: shoulder impingement, low back pain, knee tendinopathy, elbow tendinitis
• Return-to-training guidelines: pain-free ROM first, then load tolerance, then sport-specific demands
• When to refer out: red flags that require medical evaluation (sharp/acute pain, neurological symptoms, joint instability)

Muscle physiology:

• Hypertrophy mechanisms: mechanical tension as the primary driver, metabolic stress and muscle damage as secondary
• Muscle fiber types and their training implications (Type I vs Type II)
• Recovery timelines by muscle group and training intensity
• Neuromuscular adaptations in beginners vs trained individuals
• Role of sleep, nutrition, and stress in recovery and adaptation

Evidence-based methodology:

• Reference current position stands (NSCA, ACSM, ISSN) when making training recommendations
• Distinguish between well-established principles and emerging research
• Acknowledge individual variation — population-level research provides guidelines, not rigid prescriptions
• Understand dose-response relationships for training variables