"Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning" is a reference book for the NSCA-CSCS certification.

It's a comprehensive guide to the science and application of strength training. 

It covers the physiological basis of exercise, including musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, and respiratory system function, biomechanics of resistance exercise, and energy systems. 

This book also details program design principles for various training goals (strength, power, hypertrophy, endurance), hormonal responses to training, and considerations for different populations (children, older adults, women). 

Finally, it addresses facility design, legal issues, and nutritional guidelines for optimal athletic performance.