ATC Nutrition 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A wrestler is cutting weight rapidly for competition. Which immediate health risk is MOST concerning to the athletic trainer?
- Decreased muscle glycogen
- Severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance (Correct answer)
- Reduced protein synthesis
- Vitamin deficiency
Correct answer: Severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
Rapid weight cutting frequently causes severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances that can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and death.
Question 2: Which macronutrient provides the most calories per gram?
- Carbohydrate
- Protein
- Fat (Correct answer)
- Alcohol
Correct answer: Fat
Fat provides 9 kcal per gram, more than carbohydrates and protein (4 kcal/g each) or alcohol (7 kcal/g).
Question 3: An endurance athlete develops muscle cramps late in a marathon. Besides dehydration, which nutritional factor is MOST likely contributing?
- Low glycogen stores
- Sodium depletion (Correct answer)
- Insufficient protein intake
- Low vitamin C levels
Correct answer: Sodium depletion
Sodium depletion from heavy sweating disrupts neuromuscular function and is a key contributor to exercise-associated muscle cramping.
Question 4: What is the recommended carbohydrate intake during exercise lasting more than 2.5 hours?
- 15–20 g/hour
- 30–45 g/hour
- 60–90 g/hour (Correct answer)
- 120–150 g/hour
Correct answer: 60–90 g/hour
Research supports 60–90 g/hour of carbohydrates (using multiple transportable carbohydrates) for exercise lasting longer than 2.5 hours.
Question 5: Which mineral is critical for oxygen transport in red blood cells and is commonly deficient in distance runners?
- Zinc
- Magnesium
- Iron (Correct answer)
- Copper
Correct answer: Iron
Iron is required for hemoglobin synthesis; distance runners are at risk due to foot-strike hemolysis, GI losses, and increased demand.
Question 6: A post-game recovery meal should ideally be consumed within what time frame to maximize glycogen resynthesis?
- Within 30 minutes (Correct answer)
- Within 1–2 hours
- Within 4 hours
- Any time within 24 hours is equivalent
Correct answer: Within 30 minutes
Glycogen resynthesis rates are highest in the 30-minute window immediately post-exercise when glucose transporters are maximally upregulated.
Question 7: Which ergogenic aid is classified as a stimulant and is banned by many sports organizations at high doses?
- Creatine monohydrate
- Beta-alanine
- Caffeine (Correct answer)
- Whey protein
Correct answer: Caffeine
Caffeine is a CNS stimulant that is banned by some organizations above threshold levels (e.g., previously >12 mcg/mL in urine by WADA).
ATC Nutrition 3
A wrestler is cutting weight rapidly for competition.
Which immediate health risk is MOST concerning to the athletic trainer?