NSCA CSCS - NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Sport Psychology and Motivation Questions and Answers

Question 1

An athlete who is primarily driven by the desire for trophies, social recognition, and avoiding punishment is demonstrating which type of motivation?

Accepted Answer

Extrinsic motivation

Answer

Achievement motivation

Answer

Intrinsic motivation

Answer

Self-determined motivation

Question 2

A strength and conditioning coach is working with a basketball player who gets overly anxious and tense before big games, often resulting in poor shooting performance. Which of the following techniques would be MOST appropriate to help the athlete manage this high level of arousal?

Accepted Answer

Engaging in progressive muscle relaxation (PMR)

Answer

Listening to fast-tempo, high-intensity music

Answer

Using positive, energizing self-talk like "Let's go!"

Answer

Performing a dynamic, explosive warm-up

Question 3

Which of the following is the BEST example of a process goal for a weightlifter?

Accepted Answer

Focusing on maintaining a neutral spine during every deadlift repetition in today's session.

Answer

Winning the upcoming national championship.

Answer

Increasing their back squat 1RM by 10 kg in the next 12 weeks.

Answer

Placing in the top three at the regional qualifier.

Question 4

According to the Inverted-U Hypothesis, how is the relationship between arousal and performance best described?

Accepted Answer

Performance increases with arousal up to an optimal point, after which further increases in arousal lead to a decline in performance.

Answer

As arousal increases, performance linearly decreases.

Answer

Performance is optimal at both very low and very high levels of arousal.

Answer

Arousal has no significant impact on athletic performance.

Question 5

A strength coach tells a novice lifter to "focus on pushing the floor away" during a squat. This is an example of using which type of attentional focus cue?

Accepted Answer

External

Answer

Internal

Answer

Broad-internal

Answer

Narrow-internal

Question 6

An athlete's belief in their capability to successfully perform a specific task, such as completing a 1RM deadlift, is known as what?

Accepted Answer

Self-efficacy

Answer

Trait anxiety

Answer

Achievement motivation

Answer

Intrinsic motivation