CSSD Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the CSSD exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 CSSD Exam Format at a Glance
📚 CSSD Topics to Study (23)
✍️ Sample CSSD Questions & Answers
1. Sports anemia (dilutional pseudoanemia) in endurance athletes is best characterized by:
Endurance training increases plasma volume proportionally more than red cell mass, diluting hemoglobin concentration without true iron deficiency—serum ferritin remains normal.
2. Which professional attribute is most valued in competition nutrition within the CSSD field?
Accountability and commitment to professional standards build trust and ensure consistent, high-quality practice.
3. What role does collaboration play in eating disorders in athletes for CSSD professionals?
Collaboration leverages diverse perspectives and combined expertise to achieve better outcomes than any individual could alone.
4. In CSSD practice, what is the primary purpose of strategic planning?
Strategic planning aligns organizational resources with goals and helps anticipate challenges before they become critical issues.
5. Which hormone increases during exercise to promote lipolysis?
Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is a hormone released during exercise that plays a crucial role in mobilizing energy stores. It stimulates lipolysis, the breakdown of triglycerides into free fatty acids, making them available as fuel for working muscles. This helps to spare glycogen stores and provide sustained energy during prolonged activity, especially as exercise intensity increases.
6. What is the most important professional competency for CSSD certification in macronutrient timing?
Professional competency requires both deep knowledge of the subject matter and the ability to apply that knowledge in practical situations.