ACSM ACSM Sports Performance Coaching 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When designing a strength-endurance block for a wrestling athlete, which rep-set scheme is MOST appropriate?
- 3×3 at 95% 1RM
- 4×12–15 at 60–70% 1RM with short rest (Correct answer)
- 5×1 at 100% 1RM
- 1×30 at 30% 1RM
Correct answer: 4×12–15 at 60–70% 1RM with short rest
Higher repetitions (12–15) at moderate loads with short rest periods develop muscular endurance, matching the metabolic demands of wrestling.
Question 2: A coach notices an athlete's hip drops to one side during single-leg squat assessment. Which muscle weakness is MOST likely responsible?
- Gluteus maximus
- Hip abductors (gluteus medius) (Correct answer)
- Hamstrings
- Gastrocnemius
Correct answer: Hip abductors (gluteus medius)
Contralateral hip drop during single-leg squat typically indicates weakness of the stance-leg hip abductors, particularly the gluteus medius.
Question 3: In the ACSM model of athlete monitoring, which marker is MOST sensitive for detecting early signs of non-functional overreaching?
- Body mass
- Heart rate variability (HRV) (Correct answer)
- Vertical jump height only
- Serum creatinine
Correct answer: Heart rate variability (HRV)
HRV is a sensitive autonomic nervous system marker that can detect accumulated fatigue and early overreaching before performance declines.
Question 4: Which of the following BEST describes the principle of specificity in sports performance training?
- Increasing training load by 10% each week
- Training adaptations are specific to the demands imposed (Correct answer)
- All athletes need the same foundational program
- Strength always transfers directly to sport speed
Correct answer: Training adaptations are specific to the demands imposed
The SAID principle (Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands) states that the body adapts specifically to the type of stress placed on it.
Question 5: A volleyball player needs to improve approach jump height. Which training phase should immediately precede the competitive season?
- Hypertrophy phase
- Power/peaking phase (Correct answer)
- General preparation phase
- Anatomical adaptation phase
Correct answer: Power/peaking phase
A power/peaking phase using lower volume, higher-intensity plyometrics and loaded jumps is placed closest to competition to express force rapidly.
Question 6: Which of the following is the MOST accurate description of an athlete's lactate threshold?
- The point at which muscles stop producing ATP
- The exercise intensity at which blood lactate begins to accumulate above resting levels (Correct answer)
- The maximum oxygen uptake during graded exercise
- The heart rate at which anaerobic metabolism ceases
Correct answer: The exercise intensity at which blood lactate begins to accumulate above resting levels
Lactate threshold is the exercise intensity at which blood lactate concentration begins to rise above baseline, signaling a shift toward greater anaerobic contribution.
Question 7: A coach is implementing concurrent training for a rugby player. What is the PRIMARY concern with concurrent strength and endurance training?
- Increased injury risk from over-hydration
- Interference effect blunting strength and power adaptations (Correct answer)
- Excessive hypertrophy from aerobic work
- Reduced flexibility from combined training
Correct answer: Interference effect blunting strength and power adaptations
The interference effect occurs when endurance training attenuates anabolic signaling, potentially blunting strength and power gains from resistance training.
ACSM ACSM Sports Performance Coaching 3
When designing a strength-endurance block for a wrestling athlete, which rep-set scheme is MOST appropriate?