ASCA Athlete Safety & Injury Prevention 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which technique error in freestyle is most directly linked to shoulder impingement syndrome development?
- Hand entry crossing the midline (crossover entry) (Correct answer)
- High elbow catch position
- Bilateral breathing pattern
- Flip turn execution
Correct answer: Hand entry crossing the midline (crossover entry)
A crossover hand entry causes the shoulder to internally rotate and adduct during the catch, narrowing the subacromial space and increasing impingement risk.
Question 2: What does the term 'secondary drowning' (also called delayed drowning) refer to?
- Pulmonary edema developing hours after a near-drowning event causes respiratory distress or death (Correct answer)
- A second drowning incident occurring after a prior rescue
- Drowning that occurs at a secondary body of water
- Loss of consciousness that occurs secondary to a seizure in water
Correct answer: Pulmonary edema developing hours after a near-drowning event causes respiratory distress or death
Secondary or delayed drowning occurs when inhaled water causes pulmonary edema hours after the initial incident; any near-drowning victim should be evaluated by EMS.
Question 3: Which chronic pain condition affecting the knee's superior pole is specifically referred to as 'swimming-related patellar tendinopathy' and is exacerbated by which kick?
- Patellar tendinopathy exacerbated by the breaststroke whip-kick (Correct answer)
- IT band syndrome exacerbated by the freestyle flutter kick
- Meniscal irritation exacerbated by the butterfly dolphin kick
- MCL sprain exacerbated by the backstroke kick
Correct answer: Patellar tendinopathy exacerbated by the breaststroke whip-kick
Patellar tendinopathy in swimmers is most often aggravated by the high knee flexion and rapid extension forces of the breaststroke whip-kick.
Question 4: In the context of ASCA coaching, what is a 'training error' and why is it the most common preventable cause of swimming injuries?
- Inappropriate changes in volume, intensity, or technique that exceed the athlete's adaptive capacity (Correct answer)
- A mistake in swim start technique only
- An error in pool water chemistry management
- An incorrect stroke count taken during practice
Correct answer: Inappropriate changes in volume, intensity, or technique that exceed the athlete's adaptive capacity
Training errors—too much volume, too fast intensity progression, or faulty technique—overwhelm the body's recovery ability, making them the leading preventable cause of overuse injuries.
Question 5: What is the correct sequence for using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on a cardiac arrest victim at the pool?
- Remove from water, dry the chest, power on AED, apply pads, follow prompts, deliver shock if advised (Correct answer)
- Deliver shock in the water to save time, then remove victim
- Apply pads while victim is still wet to improve conductivity
- Begin CPR for 5 full minutes before attaching the AED
Correct answer: Remove from water, dry the chest, power on AED, apply pads, follow prompts, deliver shock if advised
The victim must be removed from water and the chest dried before AED pad application; electricity and water create electrocution risk for rescuers.
Question 6: Which factor is considered the MOST significant predictor of exertional heat illness risk during outdoor swim meets?
- High wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) combining heat, humidity, and solar radiation (Correct answer)
- Air temperature alone exceeding 90°F
- Water temperature above 82°F
- Low barometric pressure at the venue
Correct answer: High wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) combining heat, humidity, and solar radiation
The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) integrates temperature, humidity, wind, and solar radiation and is the gold standard for assessing heat illness risk in outdoor athletes.
Question 7: A 14-year-old swimmer reports repeated stress fractures and menstrual irregularities. Which condition should the coach suspect and what is the appropriate action?
- Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S); refer to a sports medicine physician and registered dietitian (Correct answer)
- Normal adolescent growth; continue current training
- Overhydration; restrict fluid intake
- Exercise-induced anemia; increase iron supplementation without medical guidance
Correct answer: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S); refer to a sports medicine physician and registered dietitian
Recurring stress fractures combined with menstrual irregularities are classic RED-S warning signs requiring a multidisciplinary medical team including sports medicine and nutrition.
ASCA Athlete Safety & Injury Prevention 5
Which technique error in freestyle is most directly linked to shoulder impingement syndrome development?