CPSS - Certified Performance and Sport Scientist Foundational Scientific Disciplines Questions and Answers

Question 1

An elite athlete is competing in a 400-meter race, which they complete in approximately 50 seconds. Which energy system is the PRIMARY contributor to ATP resynthesis during this high-intensity event?

Accepted Answer

Anaerobic glycolysis

Answer

The 400-meter race is a maximal effort event lasting between 40-60 seconds. The phosphagen (ATP-PC) system is dominant for the first 10-15 seconds. After that, anaerobic glycolysis becomes the primary energy provider for activities lasting up to about 90 seconds. Aerobic glycolysis and beta-oxidation are too slow to meet the rapid energy demands of this event.

Question 2

A novice athlete is learning the complex motor skill of a golf swing. According to motor learning principles, which type of feedback is generally MOST effective during these initial stages of skill acquisition?

Accepted Answer

Prescriptive and immediate feedback

Answer

During the early stages of learning, a novice benefits most from immediate feedback that is prescriptive, meaning it tells them what to do to correct an error. This direct guidance helps establish correct movement patterns before bad habits form. Bandwidth, summary, faded, and delayed feedback are more effective for intermediate or advanced learners as they encourage self-correction and reduce dependency on the coach.

Question 3

During the downward (eccentric) phase of a traditional barbell back squat, which of the following accurately describes the primary action of the quadriceps muscle group?

Accepted Answer

Isotonic eccentric contraction

Answer

The downward phase of a squat involves the quadriceps lengthening under tension to control the descent against gravity. This action, where the muscle produces force while lengthening, is defined as an isotonic eccentric contraction. A concentric contraction occurs when the muscle shortens (the upward phase), an isometric contraction involves no change in muscle length, and an isokinetic contraction requires a constant speed of movement, typically with specialized equipment.

Question 4

A professional tennis player reports feeling highly energized but also experiences excessive muscular tension and a narrow, internal focus of attention just before a major match. According to the Inverted-U Hypothesis, how would this state likely impact their performance?

Accepted Answer

It will likely lead to a performance decrement due to over-arousal.

Answer

The Inverted-U Hypothesis suggests that performance improves with arousal up to an optimal point, after which further increases in arousal lead to a decline. Symptoms like excessive muscular tension and a narrow internal focus are characteristic of over-arousal, placing the athlete beyond the optimal peak of the curve, which is expected to impair performance.

Question 5

To optimize glycogen replenishment and muscle protein synthesis immediately following a strenuous resistance training session, what is the recommended composition of an athlete's post-exercise nutrition?

Accepted Answer

A combination of carbohydrates and protein.

Answer

Post-exercise nutrition should include a combination of carbohydrates and protein. Carbohydrates are crucial for replenishing depleted muscle glycogen stores, while protein provides the amino acids necessary for muscle repair and synthesis. Consuming them together can enhance glycogen storage and creates an anabolic environment. While simple carbs are useful, protein is also essential. Fats slow digestion, and BCAAs alone are not as effective as a complete protein source combined with carbohydrates.

CPSS - Certified Performance and Sport Scientist Practice Test

CPSS - Certified Performance and Sport Scientist Practice Test

CPSS - Certified Performance and Sport Scientist Foundational Scientific Disciplines Questions and Answers