Weight Management Flashcards

A combat sport athlete uses diuretics to make weight. The PRIMARY immediate risk the CSSD should communicate is:

Answer: Potentially life-threatening electrolyte imbalances and cardiac arrhythmias

Diuretic use can cause severe hypokalemia and hyponatremia, predisposing athletes to cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac events.

Which macronutrient distribution BEST supports both fat loss and maintenance of glycolytic training capacity in athletes?

Answer: High protein (30%), moderate carbohydrate (45%), moderate fat (25%)

A moderate-to-high protein intake with sufficient carbohydrate preserves glycolytic fuel availability and muscle mass during a caloric deficit.

A basketball player is cutting weight for the season and asks about using a fat burner supplement. The CSSD should PRIMARILY advise:

Answer: Most fat burner supplements lack efficacy evidence and carry risk of banned substance contamination

Most fat burner supplements are not supported by strong evidence, and many carry risks including contamination with prohibited substances detected in third-party testing.

For an athlete gaining fat in the off-season, the MOST appropriate CSSD strategy is:

Answer: Adjust energy intake to account for reduced training load while maintaining nutritional quality

Off-season fat gain is commonly due to unchanged eating habits despite reduced training load; adjusting intake to match reduced expenditure prevents unnecessary fat accumulation.

Which statement about visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and athletic performance is MOST accurate?

Answer: Elevated VAT is associated with increased inflammatory cytokines that can impair recovery and health

VAT is highly metabolically active, secreting pro-inflammatory adipokines that can elevate systemic inflammation and negatively impact recovery and cardiovascular health.

A 50-year-old masters swimmer reports difficulty maintaining weight compared to when she was younger. The CSSD should attribute this PRIMARILY to:

Answer: Age-related decline in RMR, reduced muscle mass (sarcopenia), and decreased NEAT

Aging reduces resting metabolic rate through sarcopenia and decreased NEAT, making weight maintenance harder without corresponding reductions in energy intake.

When monitoring body composition changes in an athlete over time, the CSSD should PRIMARILY track:

Answer: Fat mass and fat-free mass independently using consistent methodology

Tracking fat mass and fat-free mass separately with consistent methodology provides actionable data on whether changes reflect fat loss, muscle gain, or both.