CPSS Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the CPSS exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 CPSS Exam Format at a Glance
📚 CPSS Topics to Study (21)
✍️ Sample CPSS Questions & Answers
1. In the context of tendinopathy management, the Silbernagel cumulative loading model emphasizes:
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.
2. The Y-Balance Test (YBT) is primarily used to assess:
The YBT evaluates dynamic balance in three reach directions and identifies between-limb asymmetries that have been prospectively linked to lower-extremity injury risk.
3. Which of the following pairs correctly identifies an external load measure and an internal load measure, respectively?
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.
4. Which of the following is the primary function of carbohydrates in the athlete's diet?
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.
5. When performing a movement analysis for an Olympic weightlifter, which of the following is the PRIMARY focus?
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.
6. Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) is recommended in injury prevention programs primarily because it:
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.