ASCA Athlete Safety & Injury Prevention 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A swimmer complains of sharp lower back pain during butterfly practice. Which coaching adjustment is MOST appropriate initially?
- Remove butterfly from training and consult a healthcare provider (Correct answer)
- Increase butterfly yardage to strengthen the area
- Have the swimmer continue with modified technique adjustments only
- Switch the swimmer to exclusively backstroke
Correct answer: Remove butterfly from training and consult a healthcare provider
Sharp pain is a red-flag symptom; the coach should immediately remove the painful stroke and refer the swimmer to a healthcare provider for evaluation.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of a pre-participation physical evaluation (PPE) for competitive swimmers?
- To identify conditions that may increase risk of injury or illness during sport participation (Correct answer)
- To determine the swimmer's event specialization
- To assess the swimmer's aerobic capacity for training planning
- To satisfy insurance requirements only
Correct answer: To identify conditions that may increase risk of injury or illness during sport participation
The PPE's primary purpose is to identify medical conditions or risk factors that could be exacerbated by sport participation, protecting athlete health.
Question 3: Which electrolyte imbalance is most dangerous during prolonged open-water swimming and can cause confusion, seizures, or death?
- Hyponatremia (low sodium) (Correct answer)
- Hyperkalemia (high potassium)
- Hypercalcemia (high calcium)
- Hypermagnesemia (high magnesium)
Correct answer: Hyponatremia (low sodium)
Hyponatremia caused by excessive hypotonic fluid intake during prolonged events can cause brain swelling, leading to seizures, coma, and death.
Question 4: What is the recommended coach-to-swimmer ratio during open-water practice sessions for maximum safety?
- 1 coach/supervisor per 10 swimmers with watercraft support (Correct answer)
- 1 coach per 30 swimmers
- 2 coaches per 100 swimmers
- No specific ratio is required if lifeguards are present
Correct answer: 1 coach/supervisor per 10 swimmers with watercraft support
Best practice guidelines recommend no more than 1 supervisor per 10 swimmers in open water, with dedicated watercraft for rescue capability.
Question 5: A swimmer experiences exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) during a hard set. What is the coach's FIRST action?
- Remove the swimmer from the water and assist them in using their prescribed rescue inhaler (Correct answer)
- Encourage the swimmer to continue swimming to open the airways
- Have the swimmer hyperventilate to relieve symptoms
- Wait five minutes to see if symptoms resolve on their own
Correct answer: Remove the swimmer from the water and assist them in using their prescribed rescue inhaler
The swimmer should immediately exit the water and use their prescribed rescue bronchodilator; exercise should stop until symptoms fully resolve.
Question 6: Which swimming stroke places the greatest rotational demand on the lumbar spine and is most associated with lumbar stress injuries in adolescent swimmers?
- Butterfly (Correct answer)
- Breaststroke
- Freestyle
- Backstroke
Correct answer: Butterfly
Butterfly's repetitive hyperextension and undulation motion places extreme cyclic loading on the lumbar spine, predisposing young swimmers to spondylolysis.
Question 7: Under ASCA safety guidelines, what action should a coach take if a swimmer shows signs of a possible spinal injury after hitting the pool wall?
- Stabilize the head and neck in the water, activate EMS, and do not remove the swimmer until EMS arrives (Correct answer)
- Immediately lift the swimmer out of the water to a safe surface
- Have the swimmer float on their back and monitor for 10 minutes
- Administer ice to the neck and have the swimmer rest poolside
Correct answer: Stabilize the head and neck in the water, activate EMS, and do not remove the swimmer until EMS arrives
Suspected spinal injuries require in-water stabilization of the head and neck while EMS is activated; improper removal can worsen spinal cord damage.
ASCA Athlete Safety & Injury Prevention 3
A swimmer complains of sharp lower back pain during butterfly practice.
Which coaching adjustment is MOST appropriate initially?