Textbook: NASM Essentials of Sports Performance Training, Third Edition 2026english

The definitive guide to evidence-based sports performance training

The NASM Essentials of Sports Performance Training, Third Edition 2026 is the definitive resource for fitness professionals, strength and conditioning coaches, personal trainers, athletic trainers, physiotherapists, and sports coaches who want to help athletes maximize performance while reducing injury risk.

Serving as the official textbook for the NASM Performance Enhancement Specialization (PES), this fully updated edition combines the latest scientific research with practical coaching applications. It provides a complete framework for designing and implementing evidence-based performance training programs using NASM's renowned Optimum Performance Training (OPT™) Model.

With more than 1300 pages of expert content, readers will gain the knowledge and practical skills needed to assess athletes, improve movement quality, develop strength, speed and power, optimize recovery, enhance sports nutrition strategies, and create individualized performance programs for athletes of all levels.

What will you learn?

The NASM Essentials of Sports Performance Training covers every major component of athletic performance development, including:

• Sports performance coaching and communication
• Sports psychology
• Functional anatomy and biomechanics
• Exercise physiology
• Sports performance testing and assessment
• The NASM OPT™ Sports Performance Model
• Flexibility training
• Core performance training
• Balance training
• Plyometric training
• Speed, agility and quickness (SAQ)
• Resistance training
• Olympic weightlifting
• Energy systems development
• Periodization
• Sports performance program design
• Injury prevention and return-to-performance strategies
• Recovery programming
• Performance nutrition
• Youth athlete development
• Sports supplementation and ergogenic aids

Book contents

Section 1 – Coaching and Sports Psychology

Develop the professional coaching skills needed to work effectively with athletes, improve communication, understand sports psychology principles, and become an integral member of the performance team.

Section 2 – Human Movement Science

Explore the scientific foundation of athletic performance through functional anatomy, biomechanics, exercise physiology, and performance adaptations.

Section 3 – Sports Performance Testing and Evaluation

Learn how to assess movement quality, strength, power, endurance, speed, agility, and overall athletic performance using evidence-based assessment protocols.

Section 4 – Components of the Integrated Training Model

Master the essential building blocks of athletic development, including flexibility, core training, balance, and plyometric training.

Section 5 – Periodization and Performance Programming

Discover how to develop effective long-term performance programs using periodization principles, resistance training, Olympic lifting, speed development, and recovery strategies.

Section 6 – Nutrition and Supplementation

Understand the role of performance nutrition, hydration, youth athlete development, sports supplementation, and ergogenic aids in maximizing athletic performance.

Chapter overview

The book contains 23 comprehensive chapters, including:

1. Introduction to the Performance Training Profession
2. Coaching and Interpersonal Communication Skills
3. Functional Anatomy for Sports Performance
4. Biomechanics for Sports Performance
5. Exercise Physiology for Sports Performance
6. Sports Performance Adaptations
7. Sports Performance Testing and Evaluation
8. Flexibility Training for Sports Performance
9. Core Training for Sports Performance
10. Balance Training for Sports Performance
11. Plyometric Training for Sports Performance
12. Speed, Agility and Quickness Training
13. Resistance Training for Sports Performance
14. Olympic Weightlifting for Sports Performance
15. Energy Systems Training
16. Recovery for Sports Performance
17. The Science of Periodization
18. Programming for Sports Performance
19. Injury Resistance and Return to Performance
20. Performance Nutrition
21. Youth Training Principles and Long-Term Athlete Development
22. Supplementation and Ergogenic Aids

Who is this book for?

The NASM Essentials of Sports Performance Training is designed for professionals who want to specialize in athletic performance, including:

• Personal trainers
• Strength and conditioning coaches
• Sports performance coaches
• Athletic trainers
• Physiotherapists
• Exercise physiologists
• Sports scientists
• Sports coaches
• Fitness professionals
• University and college students studying sport or exercise science

Whether you work with recreational athletes, youth athletes, or elite competitors, this book provides the scientific foundation and practical tools needed to improve athletic performance.

Practical, evidence-based and immediately applicable

Designed for both education and daily coaching practice, every chapter includes:

• Clearly defined learning objectives
• Evidence-based training principles
• Practical coaching applications
• Real-world examples
• Chapter summaries
• Key takeaways
• Scientific references

This makes the book an outstanding learning resource for students as well as an invaluable reference guide for experienced professionals.

A valuable addition to every performance coach's library

Whether you are preparing for the NASM Performance Enhancement Specialization (PES), expanding your expertise as a personal trainer, or working with athletes who want to maximize their performance, the NASM Essentials of Sports Performance Training provides the knowledge, structure, and evidence-based methodology needed to coach athletes safely and effectively.

From athlete assessment and movement analysis to periodized program design, performance nutrition, recovery strategies, and return-to-sport programming, this comprehensive textbook equips professionals with the tools to develop faster, stronger, more resilient athletes while applying the latest scientific insights to everyday coaching practice.

Cost: 139,- including shipping cost within The Netherlands.