CSC Sports Psychology and Mental Conditioning

Question 1

What is the 'inverted-U hypothesis' (Yerkes-Dodson law) in sports performance?

Accepted Answer

Optimal performance occurs at moderate arousal levels, with too little or too much arousal impairing performance

Answer

The inverted-U hypothesis describes that performance peaks at an optimal moderate arousal level, declining when arousal is too low (under-activation) or too high (over-activation/panic).

Question 2

What is the purpose of a pre-competition routine for strength athletes?

Accepted Answer

To regulate arousal, reduce anxiety, and establish consistent psychological readiness

Answer

Pre-competition routines help athletes reach optimal arousal and focus, reduce performance anxiety through familiar rituals, and create consistent psychological readiness regardless of external conditions.

Question 3

Which psychological skill involves an athlete mentally rehearsing the performance of a skill or routine in vivid, realistic detail?

Accepted Answer

Imagery (visualization)

Answer

Imagery (visualization) involves mentally simulating a skill or performance using all relevant senses, activating similar neural pathways as physical practice and improving execution confidence.

Question 4

What distinguishes process goals from outcome goals in athletic goal setting?

Accepted Answer

Process goals focus on controllable behaviors and actions; outcome goals focus on results like winning

Answer

Process goals target controllable performance behaviors (e.g., maintaining proper technique, keeping tight core), while outcome goals focus on results (e.g., winning, placing first) which are often outside the athlete's full control.

Question 5

Self-efficacy in sport psychology refers to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

An athlete's belief in their capacity to execute a specific task successfully

Answer

Self-efficacy, as defined by Bandura, is an athlete's task-specific belief in their ability to successfully execute a particular performance — it is trainable and strongly predicts performance outcomes.

CSC - Certified Strength Coach Practice Test

CSC - Certified Strength Coach Practice Test

CSC Sports Psychology and Mental Conditioning