CPSS Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CPSS facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is the primary energy system used during short-duration, high-intensity activities like sprinting? → Phosphagen system
2. Beta-alanine supplementation improves performance primarily by increasing muscle concentrations of which compound? → Carnosine
3. A sport scientist wants to measure an athlete's state anxiety immediately before competition. Which validated instrument is most commonly used? → Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2)
4. According to goal-setting theory, which type of goal is most directly linked to improving sport performance by focusing on skill development? → Process goals
5. Which attentional style, according to Nideffer's model, is most beneficial during a team huddle where a coach addresses broad tactical decisions? → Broad-external
6. What is the term used to describe the process of progressively decreasing training volume and intensity to allow for recovery and adaptation? → Tapering
7. Which type of stretching has been shown to have the greatest benefit for injury prevention when performed as part of a warm-up before high-intensity activity? → Dynamic stretching using sport-specific movements
8. Hip abductor and external rotator weakness is most commonly associated with increased risk of which lower-extremity injury pattern? → Medial knee collapse (valgus) and ACL injury risk
9. Which of the following is NOT a principle of exercise training? → Comfort
10. Which of the following BEST defines 'Training Strain' as conceptualized in Foster's model of training load monitoring? → The product of an athlete's total weekly training load and their training monotony score.
11. Which psychological intervention strategy involves an athlete replacing irrational or negative thoughts with more balanced, constructive ones? → Cognitive restructuring
12. Overtraining syndrome in athletes often includes psychological symptoms. Which of the following is a key psychological indicator of overtraining? → Persistent mood disturbance and decreased vigor
13. The concept of psychological safety in team environments is most directly associated with which performance-related outcome? → Greater willingness to take risks and share feedback
14. Which of the following is NOT a component of the FITT principle for designing an exercise program? → Temperature
15. According to Self-Determination Theory (SDT), which three psychological needs must be met for athletes to experience autonomous motivation? → Competence, autonomy, and relatedness
16. Burnout in athletes is characterized by three dimensions. Which of the following correctly represents all three dimensions? → Emotional exhaustion, cynicism, reduced accomplishment
17. Iron deficiency anemia in athletes most significantly impairs performance by: → Decreasing oxygen transport capacity and aerobic power output
18. Which of the following is NOT a component of motor learning? → Coordination
19. Which coping strategy involves an athlete focusing on managing emotional responses rather than directly resolving the stressor? → Emotion-focused coping
20. What does 'energy availability' refer to in the context of athlete nutrition? → Dietary energy intake minus exercise energy expenditure, relative to fat-free mass
21. According to current evidence, what daily protein intake is generally recommended for strength and power athletes engaged in heavy resistance training? → 1.6–2.2 g/kg body weight
22. Which factor is most predictive of future hamstring strain injury according to prospective research? → A previous hamstring strain injury
23. A method for determining if athletes are prepared to take on further workload. → Invisible Monitoring
24. Seyle's theory that stress causes the body to react with alarm, resistance, and tiredness → General adaptation Syndrome
25. Which supplement has been shown in research to reduce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and inflammatory markers after eccentric exercise? → Tart cherry juice
26. Which of the following pairs correctly identifies an external load measure and an internal load measure, respectively? → Total distance covered (GPS) and Blood Lactate Concentration
27. Flow state, as described by Csikszentmihalyi, is most likely to occur when which condition is met? → Challenge and skill are in balance at a high level
28. Which of the following is a primary function of the skeletal system in relation to physical activity? → Protection of internal organs
29. The time after a disturbance in homeostasis during which, if the body is given the chance to adjust, performance is improved. → Supercompensation
30. Which motivational climate in sport, associated with Ames' Achievement Goal Theory, emphasizes mastery and personal improvement over winning? → Mastery-involving climate