AD Advanced Techniques & Methods 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which ergogenic aid is legal under NCAA rules and has the most scientific evidence supporting improvements in high-intensity, short-duration athletic performance?
- Anabolic steroids
- Creatine monohydrate (Correct answer)
- Erythropoietin (EPO)
- Human growth hormone
Correct answer: Creatine monohydrate
Creatine monohydrate is NCAA-legal, widely studied, and consistently shown to improve power output and performance in high-intensity, short-duration activities.
Question 2: An AD reviews their program's return-to-play protocol after concussion. Which criterion is the final gate before full return to competition per NCAA guidelines?
- Athlete reports no headache at rest
- Successful completion of full-contact practice without symptom recurrence (Correct answer)
- Normal MRI scan results
- Passing a cognitive memory test
Correct answer: Successful completion of full-contact practice without symptom recurrence
NCAA concussion protocols require successful completion of full-contact practice without symptom recurrence as the final gate before returning to competition.
Question 3: What training technique involves performing exercises in rapid succession with minimal rest to improve both strength and cardiovascular conditioning simultaneously?
- Isometric training
- Circuit training (Correct answer)
- Plyometric supersets
- Static stretching protocols
Correct answer: Circuit training
Circuit training sequences exercises with minimal rest, creating a dual stimulus for muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance.
Question 4: When establishing a sports analytics program, which metric is most predictive of in-season injury occurrence across team sports?
- Athlete GPA
- Acute-to-chronic workload ratio (ACWR) (Correct answer)
- Body fat percentage
- Maximum sprint speed
Correct answer: Acute-to-chronic workload ratio (ACWR)
The acute-to-chronic workload ratio (ACWR) compares recent load to historical load, with spikes above 1.5 strongly predictive of injury risk across team sports.
Question 5: In applying force-velocity curve principles, which training method is most appropriate for athletes who need to improve power at high movement velocities?
- Heavy slow resistance training (90%+ 1RM)
- Ballistic and plyometric training (Correct answer)
- Eccentric-only loading
- Isometric holds at joint angles
Correct answer: Ballistic and plyometric training
Ballistic and plyometric training targets the high-velocity end of the force-velocity curve, most effectively improving power at fast movement speeds.
Question 6: Which sleep strategy has the most evidence for improving athletic performance and recovery when implemented by athletic departments?
- Sleeping fewer hours but with supplemental naps
- Maintaining consistent sleep schedules with 8–10 hours per night (Correct answer)
- Using stimulants to reduce sleep need
- Sleeping in fully lit environments
Correct answer: Maintaining consistent sleep schedules with 8–10 hours per night
Research consistently shows that 8–10 hours of regular, consistent sleep dramatically improves reaction time, mood, and physical recovery in athletes.
Question 7: An AD wants to implement a heat acclimatization protocol before pre-season training. How many days does the NCAA recommend for full physiological heat acclimatization?
- 3–5 days
- 7–10 days
- 10–14 days (Correct answer)
- 20–25 days
Correct answer: 10–14 days
Research and NCAA guidelines support a 10–14 day heat acclimatization period before full-intensity practice in hot and humid conditions.
AD Advanced Techniques & Methods 3
Which ergogenic aid is legal under NCAA rules and has the most scientific evidence supporting improvements in high-intensity, short-duration athletic performance?