CSCS Risk Assessment & Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A strength coach is working with athletes outdoors when lightning is spotted 5 miles away. What is the appropriate action based on the 30-30 rule?
- Continue training if thunder is not heard
- Suspend training immediately and move athletes indoors (Correct answer)
- Move athletes to a low open area away from trees
- Wait until lightning is within 1 mile to suspend training
Correct answer: Suspend training immediately and move athletes indoors
The 30-30 rule requires suspending outdoor activity when lightning is seen and thunder follows within 30 seconds, meaning the storm is within 6 miles.
Question 2: Which condition is considered an absolute contraindication to exercise that a pre-participation screening should identify?
- Controlled hypertension
- Unstable angina (Correct answer)
- Type 2 diabetes managed with diet
- Mild exercise-induced asthma
Correct answer: Unstable angina
Unstable angina is an absolute contraindication to exercise because of the immediate risk of cardiac event.
Question 3: Which legal concept holds a strength and conditioning coach responsible for knowing what a similarly trained professional would know in the same situation?
- Vicarious liability
- Standard of care (Correct answer)
- Respondeat superior
- Contributory negligence
Correct answer: Standard of care
Standard of care is the legal benchmark comparing a professional's conduct to what a similarly trained peer would do.
Question 4: During a plyometric session, an athlete lands awkwardly and reports sharp knee pain. What should the strength coach do FIRST?
- Apply ice immediately and resume training
- Have the athlete rest and evaluate the injury severity
- Stop the session, assess the athlete, and activate EAP if needed (Correct answer)
- Document the incident and refer to athletic trainer after practice
Correct answer: Stop the session, assess the athlete, and activate EAP if needed
The immediate priority is stopping activity, assessing the injured athlete, and activating the EAP if the injury warrants it.
Question 5: What is the recommended maximum temperature range for a strength and conditioning facility to maintain athlete safety and performance?
- 50–60°F (10–16°C)
- 60–70°F (16–21°C)
- 65–75°F (18–24°C) (Correct answer)
- 75–85°F (24–29°C)
Correct answer: 65–75°F (18–24°C)
NSCA guidelines recommend facility temperatures of 65–75°F (18–24°C) to optimize safety and performance.
Question 6: Which practice BEST reduces the risk of bloodborne pathogen transmission in a strength and conditioning facility?
- Requiring athletes to wipe down equipment after use
- Using universal precautions when handling all blood and bodily fluids (Correct answer)
- Providing hand sanitizer at facility entrances
- Cleaning equipment weekly with disinfectant solution
Correct answer: Using universal precautions when handling all blood and bodily fluids
Universal precautions treat all blood and bodily fluids as potentially infectious, providing consistent protection against pathogen transmission.
Question 7: When should a strength and conditioning professional conduct formal equipment safety inspections?
- Only when equipment damage is visibly apparent
- Daily before training sessions (Correct answer)
- Weekly during facility cleaning
- Monthly as part of scheduled maintenance
Correct answer: Daily before training sessions
Daily pre-session equipment inspections are recommended to identify hazards before athletes are exposed to them.
CSCS Risk Assessment & Management 3
A strength coach is working with athletes outdoors when lightning is spotted 5 miles away.
What is the appropriate action based on the 30-30 rule?