CSC Biomechanics and Movement Analysis 2

Question 1

What is the 'stretch-shortening cycle' (SSC) and how does it apply to explosive athletic movements?

Accepted Answer

A pre-activation eccentric phase followed immediately by a concentric contraction, storing and releasing elastic energy

Answer

The SSC involves a rapid eccentric (pre-stretch) phase that stores elastic energy in tendons and activates the stretch reflex, augmenting the subsequent concentric force output.

Question 2

What is 'rate of force development' (RFD) and why is it critical for sport performance?

Accepted Answer

The speed at which force is generated — critical because sport actions occur in very short time windows

Answer

RFD describes how rapidly force can be developed; since most sport actions (ground contacts, collisions) last <200ms, the ability to generate force quickly is often more critical than absolute maximum strength.

Question 3

Which movement screening finding most directly indicates a hip mobility deficit during a bodyweight squat assessment?

Accepted Answer

Bilateral heel rise

Answer

Bilateral heel rise during a squat indicates limited ankle dorsiflexion, a common restrictor of squat depth and quality, often confused with hip mobility issues.

Question 4

What is the primary biomechanical advantage of a hip-width stance (versus narrow stance) in the squat for most athletes?

Accepted Answer

Allows greater hip external rotation, facilitating deeper squat depth with reduced lumbar stress

Answer

A hip-width stance allows the femurs to externally rotate and abduct around the hip socket, reducing impingement and enabling deeper squat depth while maintaining a more neutral spine.

Question 5

What does 'ground reaction force' (GRF) represent in sport biomechanics?

Accepted Answer

The equal and opposite force the ground exerts back on the athlete (Newton's Third Law)

Answer

By Newton's Third Law, when an athlete applies force to the ground, the ground returns an equal and opposite GRF — this is the force that propels the athlete into motion.

CSC - Certified Strength Coach Practice Test

CSC - Certified Strength Coach Practice Test

CSC Biomechanics and Movement Analysis 2