This week on iTunes, iHeartRadio, Stitcher and Spreaker, STT interviews Dr. Mark Kovacs. Mark is a renowned performance physiologist, researcher, university professor, author, speaker and coach with an extensive background training and researching athletes at all levels. He serves the iTPA membership as its Executive Director. He formally directed the Sport Science, Strength & Conditioning and Coaching Education departments for the United States Tennis Association (USTA). He is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and the ITPA. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed scientific articles and abstracts in top journals including the British Journal of Sports Medicine, Sports Medicine, Sports Health, International Journal of Sport Physiology and Performance, Strength & Conditioning Journal, Journal of Sports Science and Medicine among many others. He is currently the Associate Editor-in-Chief of the Strength & Conditioning Journal and is on the editorial board for multiple other journals including the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. He has presented workshops and keynote addresses on four continents and well over 100 presentations. Along with his academic and scientific background Dr. Kovacs is also a coach and former professional athlete. He was an All-American and NCAA doubles champion in tennis at Auburn University. After playing professionally, he completed his graduate work at Auburn University and earned his Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from The University of Alabama. Dr. Kovacs is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, a certified Health/Fitness Specialist through the American College of Sports Medicine, a United States Track and Field Level II Sprints Coach and Certified Tennis Coach. Dr. Kovacs along with the certification commission created the ITPA certification materials to help improve the way the physical aspects of tennis are trained throughout the world. He has published five books including Dynamic Stretching and Tennis Training: Enhancing On Court Performance. Dr. Kovacs has been the recipient of the Editorial Excellence Award for his work with the Strength and Conditioning Journal, in 2010 he was awarded the prestigious Plagenhoef Award for sport science achievement (youngest ever recipient) and in 2012 he was the youngest ever International Tennis Hall of Fame Educational Merit Award winner. He has worked with more than two dozen top professional tennis players on all aspects of physical training.

The SMARTER Team Training Audio Interview Series has been developed to share insights from some of the best in the industry. Stay tuned for more insights, tips, drills, and techniques to come from STT on iTunes, STT on iHeartRadio, STT on Stitcher and STT on Spreaker. Be sure to share the STT Audio Interview Series with coaches, trainers, parents, and athletes too.