ACSM Sports Performance Coaching 3

Question 1

Which ACSM-recognized principle states that training adaptations are specific to the type, intensity, and volume of exercise performed?

Accepted Answer

Specificity (SAID principle)

Answer

The SAID (Specific Adaptations to Imposed Demands) principle holds that the body adapts specifically to the exact stresses placed upon it.

Question 2

A performance coach is designing a warm-up for explosive athletes. Which sequence is MOST evidence-based according to ACSM?

Accepted Answer

General aerobic activity → dynamic warm-up → sport-specific activity

Answer

General aerobic activity raises core temperature, dynamic warm-up prepares tissues, and sport-specific activity primes neuromuscular patterns for performance.

Question 3

During a countermovement jump, the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) enhances power output primarily through:

Accepted Answer

Elastic energy storage and myotatic reflex potentiation

Answer

The SSC stores elastic energy in tendons and triggers the myotatic reflex, both contributing to enhanced concentric power output.

Question 4

An athlete's VO2max is 58 mL/kg/min. At what approximate running pace would they be exercising at 70% VO2max during a tempo run?

Accepted Answer

At a pace eliciting ~40.6 mL/kg/min oxygen uptake

Answer

70% of 58 mL/kg/min = 40.6 mL/kg/min; tempo runs target ~65-75% VO2max to stress the lactate threshold zone.

Question 5

Which flexibility training method has been shown to produce the GREATEST acute gains in range of motion?

Accepted Answer

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)

Answer

PNF stretching, which uses isometric contractions followed by passive stretch, consistently produces the largest acute ROM improvements.

ACSM Practice Test

ACSM Practice Test

ACSM Sports Performance Coaching 3