Mixed Deck — All CPSS Topics Flashcards

In the context of tendinopathy management, the Silbernagel cumulative loading model emphasizes:

Answer: Continued activity is acceptable as long as pain does not exceed a manageable threshold (≤5/10) and does not worsen the next morning

The Silbernagel model allows continued participation if pain remains at or below 5/10 and returns to baseline by the next morning, preventing the deconditioning associated with complete rest.

The Y-Balance Test (YBT) is primarily used to assess:

Answer: Dynamic balance and functional movement asymmetry as an injury risk screening tool

The YBT evaluates dynamic balance in three reach directions and identifies between-limb asymmetries that have been prospectively linked to lower-extremity injury risk.

Which of the following best describes the term 'motor unit'?

Answer: A motor neuron and all the muscle fibers it innervates

A motor unit consists of a single alpha motor neuron and all the muscle fibers it innervates, which contract together upon stimulation.

Which biomarker, when chronically elevated in blood, is most indicative of non-functional overreaching in endurance athletes?

Answer: Cortisol-to-testosterone ratio

A chronically elevated cortisol-to-testosterone ratio indicates a catabolic state and is one of the strongest hormonal markers of non-functional overreaching.

Which of the following pairs correctly identifies an external load measure and an internal load measure, respectively?

Answer: Total distance covered (GPS) and Blood Lactate Concentration

External load refers to the objective, physical work performed by an athlete (e.g., distance covered, weight lifted). Internal load is the individual athlete's physiological and psychological response to that external load. Total distance covered, measured by GPS, is a classic external load metric. Blood lactate concentration is a direct physiological measure of the metabolic stress experienced by the athlete, making it an internal load measure.

In biomechanical analysis, ground reaction force (GRF) is best described as:

Answer: Newton's reaction to the force exerted on the ground by the athlete

By Newton's third law, GRF is the equal and opposite force the ground exerts on the athlete in response to the force the athlete applies to the ground.

Which of the following is the primary function of carbohydrates in the athlete's diet?

Answer: Provide quick energy

Carbohydrates are the body's primary and most efficient source of energy, especially during physical activity. They are broken down into glucose, which is then used to produce ATP, the main energy currency for muscle contraction. For athletes, a diet rich in carbohydrates ensures readily available fuel, helping to prevent fatigue and sustain high-intensity performance.

Active recovery at low intensity (e.g., 30–40% VO2max cycling) primarily aids recovery through which mechanism?

Answer: Enhancing lactate clearance and blood flow without adding stress

Low-intensity active recovery promotes blood flow and lactate oxidation without imposing additional training stress on recovering tissues.

In research methodology, internal validity is most threatened by which of the following?

Answer: Pre-test sensitization confounding results

Pre-test sensitization (testing effects) is a classic threat to internal validity because exposure to initial measurement can alter participants' responses to the intervention.

When performing a movement analysis for an Olympic weightlifter, which of the following is the PRIMARY focus?

Answer: The kinematic and kinetic characteristics of the snatch and clean and jerk.

A movement analysis is a core component of a needs analysis that examines the specific movement patterns of a sport. For Olympic weightlifting, this involves a detailed biomechanical evaluation of the two competition lifts: the snatch and the clean and jerk. Analyzing the kinematics (e.g., joint angles, bar path) and kinetics (e.g., forces produced) is essential for optimizing technique, enhancing performance, and reducing injury risk.

Which muscle fiber type relies predominantly on oxidative phosphorylation for ATP production during prolonged endurance exercise?

Answer: Type I fibers

Type I (slow-twitch) fibers have high mitochondrial density and rely primarily on oxidative phosphorylation, making them fatigue-resistant during endurance exercise.

Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) is recommended in injury prevention programs primarily because it:

Answer: Eccentrically strengthens the hamstring at long muscle lengths, reducing strain injury risk

The NHE loads the hamstring eccentrically at long lengths, which remodels fascicle architecture and reduces strain injury risk during the terminal swing phase of sprinting.

When presenting complex monitoring data to a head coach during a brief pre-training meeting, a Certified Performance and Sport Scientist should prioritize:

Answer: Delivering a concise summary with clear visuals and 2-3 actionable insights or 'red flags.'

Coaches are time-poor and need information that is easy to digest and directly applicable to immediate decisions. The scientist's role is to distill complex data into simple, actionable insights, often supported by intuitive visuals, to facilitate effective decision-making.

Which nonparametric test is the appropriate alternative to the independent samples t-test when data violate normality assumptions?

Answer: Mann-Whitney U test

The Mann-Whitney U test compares two independent groups without assuming normal distribution, making it the nonparametric equivalent of the independent t-test.

Which of the following is a PROCESS KPI rather than an OUTCOME KPI in sport science?

Answer: Weekly training load adherence

Weekly training load adherence is a process KPI because it measures compliance with the program, not the end result of competition.

Beta-alanine supplementation improves performance primarily by increasing muscle concentrations of which compound?

Answer: Carnosine

Beta-alanine is a rate-limiting precursor to carnosine, which buffers intramuscular hydrogen ions during high-intensity exercise.

Which ergogenic aid has the strongest evidence base for improving short-duration, high-intensity exercise performance?

Answer: Creatine monohydrate

Creatine monohydrate is classified as the most evidence-backed ergogenic supplement for enhancing phosphocreatine resynthesis and high-intensity output.

A sport scientist is designing a recovery protocol for a tournament lasting 5 days with daily competition. Which periodized approach is most appropriate?

Answer: Prioritize rapid-turnaround modalities (nutrition, sleep, CWI) daily and reserve deep-tissue massage for rest days only

During high-frequency competition, rapid-turnaround modalities that don't interfere with readiness are prioritized, while more intensive interventions are reserved for when they won't affect next-day performance.

A swimmer's HRV scores drop significantly during a competition travel week. The most appropriate immediate intervention is:

Answer: Prioritize sleep, reduce training load, and address jet lag with light exposure timing

Circadian disruption from travel suppresses HRV; resetting sleep and reducing load while using light exposure to phase-shift the circadian clock is the evidence-based response.

A sport scientist reports that an athlete's Hooper Index score has increased significantly over two consecutive days. When communicating this to the coach, the most appropriate first step is to:

Answer: Contextualize the data within the training plan and suggest a collaborative discussion

Data should be presented with context and used to facilitate collaborative decision-making between sport scientists and coaches, not to override coaching judgment unilaterally.