An International Comparison of Strength and Conditioning Coach Education

Abstract

The paper deals with coaching bachelor degrees for strength and conditioning coaches in selected universities in Canada, Norway, Czech Republic and Slovakia. All participating countries of the research set are full members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Based on a content analysis of curricular documents, we identify and describe similarities and differences in approaches to strength and conditioning coaching bachelor degrees. They were apparent primarily in the qualification, content and practicum profile. The study shows that the coach's bachelor's degree has different qualifications, content and practicum profiles. It is even in sharp contrast to the bachelor's level in sports coaching in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, compared to the bachelor's level in kinesiology in Canada and sports science in Norway. The more specifically designed strength and conditioning coach bachelor level of education in the Czech Republic and Slovakia differed from schooling in Canada and Norway. The fundamental difference is the longer duration of the study program and the minor number of credit units at a Canadian institution compared to European institutions. The difference in the number of optional subjects is also striking. In European institutions, they make up a maximum of 16%; in Canadian institution, it represents almost half of all courses in the study program. An automatic CSCS (NSCA) certification program option is available in Canada.