Practical Flashcards

An athlete performing the front squat repeatedly fails to maintain an upright torso and the bar rolls off the shoulders. Which flexibility limitation is MOST likely responsible?

Answer: Restricted thoracic spine extension and wrist flexibility

An inability to hold the front rack position is most often caused by limited thoracic extension and wrist/elbow flexibility required to maintain the bar on the anterior deltoids.

What is the recommended breathing technique during a heavy compound lift such as the deadlift?

Answer: Inhale and perform a Valsalva maneuver before initiating the pull

The Valsalva maneuver—inhaling and bracing the core before the pull—increases intra-abdominal pressure, which stabilizes the spine under heavy load.

A strength coach is teaching the incline dumbbell press. At the bottom position, where should the dumbbells be relative to the chest?

Answer: At the level of the upper pectorals near the clavicles

On the incline press, the dumbbells should lower to the upper chest and clavicular region because the inclined angle targets the upper pectorals.

During a medicine ball chest pass test for upper body power, which factor most directly affects the validity of the result?

Answer: Consistent ball weight and throwing technique across trials

Standardizing ball weight and throwing mechanics ensures that differences in test results reflect true power output rather than equipment or technique variation.

A coach is demonstrating the proper catch position for a hang power clean. The elbows should be in which position?

Answer: Parallel to the ground and pointing forward in front of the bar

In the power clean catch, the elbows point forward and are parallel to the floor, creating the front rack position that supports the bar on the anterior deltoids.

Which of the following scenarios BEST describes an appropriate use of a weight belt during resistance training?

Answer: Maximal or near-maximal deadlifts and squats where spinal loading is extremely high

Weight belts are most justified during maximal or near-maximal loading where intra-abdominal pressure augmentation provides meaningful spinal protection.

An athlete consistently performs the snatch with a hitching motion, briefly resting the bar on the thighs during the second pull. What cue BEST addresses this fault?

Answer: Keep the bar in contact with the body all the way through the hips

Cueing the athlete to keep the bar in continuous contact and gliding up the thighs through the hips eliminates the pause that constitutes hitching.