CPSS Athlete Recovery Strategies 2

Question 1

Which biomarker is most commonly used to assess muscle damage and the need for extended recovery in athletes?

Accepted Answer

Creatine kinase (CK)

Answer

Creatine kinase is the primary marker of skeletal muscle damage and is widely used to gauge recovery status after intense exercise.

Question 2

A sport scientist wants to monitor an athlete's autonomic nervous system recovery daily. Which non-invasive tool is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring

Answer

HRV reflects the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity and is a validated, non-invasive daily recovery metric.

Question 3

Which sleep stage is considered most critical for physical recovery and anabolic hormone release in athletes?

Accepted Answer

Slow-wave sleep (SWS/Stage 3)

Answer

Slow-wave sleep drives the majority of growth hormone secretion, tissue repair, and immune restoration in athletes.

Question 4

An athlete reports persistent muscle soreness 72 hours after eccentric exercise. Which recovery modality has the strongest evidence for reducing DOMS at this timepoint?

Accepted Answer

Massage therapy

Answer

Massage therapy has the most consistent evidence for reducing perceived DOMS and improving short-term recovery from eccentric exercise.

Question 5

What is the primary physiological rationale for using compression garments post-exercise?

Accepted Answer

Reducing interstitial fluid accumulation and edema

Answer

Compression garments apply graduated external pressure that reduces edema, improves venous return, and limits exercise-induced swelling.

CPSS - Certified Performance and Sport Scientist Practice Test

CPSS - Certified Performance and Sport Scientist Practice Test

CPSS Athlete Recovery Strategies 2