CPSS Key Performance Indicator Identification 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which KPI best quantifies an athlete's ability to sustain high-intensity efforts during repeated sprint sports?
- Peak sprint velocity
- Percent decrement score (Correct answer)
- Average sprint time
- Total distance covered
Correct answer: Percent decrement score
Percent decrement score calculates the decline in sprint performance across multiple efforts, directly quantifying fatigue resistance in repeated sprint ability.
Question 2: A performance scientist wants to monitor neuromuscular fatigue daily without maximal effort testing. Which KPI is most appropriate?
- 1RM back squat
- Countermovement jump flight time (Correct answer)
- 20m sprint time
- VO2max
Correct answer: Countermovement jump flight time
Countermovement jump flight time is a sensitive, low-fatigue indicator of neuromuscular readiness that can be assessed daily.
Question 3: In team sports, which KPI is most directly linked to competitive success according to positional demand analysis?
- Total session RPE
- High-speed running distance per position (Correct answer)
- Resting heart rate
- Grip strength
Correct answer: High-speed running distance per position
High-speed running distance per position reflects position-specific physical demands that are strongly correlated with match performance outcomes.
Question 4: Which of the following is a PROCESS KPI rather than an OUTCOME KPI in sport science?
- Win-loss record
- Weekly training load adherence (Correct answer)
- Medal count
- Injury incidence rate
Correct 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.
Question 5: A sport scientist selects a KPI with high test-retest reliability but low sensitivity to training change. What is the main limitation?
- The KPI will produce false negatives for injury risk
- The KPI may miss meaningful adaptations despite being consistent (Correct answer)
- The KPI will overestimate fatigue
- The KPI cannot be used for group comparisons
Correct answer: The KPI may miss meaningful adaptations despite being consistent
Low sensitivity means the KPI cannot detect real changes in performance even when they occur, reducing its utility for tracking training adaptations.
Question 6: For monitoring aerobic capacity in field-based team sport athletes, which KPI is preferred over laboratory VO2max?
- Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 2 score (Correct answer)
- Wingate peak power
- Lactate threshold at 4 mmol/L
- Maximum aerobic speed on a treadmill
Correct answer: Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 2 score
The Yo-Yo IR2 score is ecologically valid for team sports, can be administered to groups, and correlates strongly with match-related high-intensity running.
Question 7: Which criterion is MOST important when selecting KPIs for a long-term athlete development program?
- Alignment with performance model and developmental stage (Correct answer)
- Ease of automation and data export
- Use of the most advanced technology available
- Comparison with professional athlete norms
Correct answer: Alignment with performance model and developmental stage
KPIs must align with the athlete's stage of development and the program's performance model to ensure relevant and actionable tracking.
Which KPI best quantifies an athlete's ability to sustain high-intensity efforts during repeated sprint sports?