Sports Performance Coaching Flashcards
7 cards from real ACSM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Sports Performance Coaching flashcards as text
According to ACSM guidelines, what is the primary energy system utilized during a 400-meter sprint?
Answer: Glycolytic (anaerobic) system
The 400-meter sprint (~45-60 seconds) relies predominantly on the fast glycolytic system with significant lactate production.
A performance coach wants to improve an athlete's rate of force development (RFD). Which training method is MOST effective?
Answer: Ballistic and plyometric exercises
Ballistic and plyometric exercises require rapid force production, directly improving RFD through neural adaptations.
When periodizing a team sport athlete's annual training plan, which phase typically emphasizes technical skill development at lower intensities?
Answer: General preparatory phase
The general preparatory phase builds foundational fitness and allows technical work at lower intensities before sport-specific loading increases.
A soccer player completes a 90-minute match. Which nutritional strategy BEST supports rapid glycogen resynthesis post-game?
Answer: Carbohydrate intake of 1.0-1.2 g/kg body weight within 30 minutes
ACSM recommends 1.0-1.2 g/kg carbohydrate in the first 30 minutes post-exercise to maximize glycogen resynthesis rates.
Which assessment is MOST appropriate for measuring a baseball pitcher's upper-body power output?
Answer: Seated medicine ball chest throw
The seated medicine ball chest throw measures explosive upper-body power in a manner that approximates the throwing motion mechanics.
An athlete shows decreased sprint speed but maintained strength levels after a competition block. This pattern MOST likely indicates:
Answer: Overreaching due to excessive speed work
Decreased speed with maintained strength suggests neural fatigue from excessive high-velocity work, a marker of functional overreaching.
What does the term 'conjugate periodization' refer to in sports performance coaching?
Answer: Simultaneous training of multiple physical qualities throughout the year
Conjugate periodization develops multiple physical qualities concurrently, distributing training emphasis across strength, speed, and conditioning simultaneously.