NSCA CSCS Health & Safety 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A strength and conditioning coach notices a football player suddenly collapses during a conditioning drill on a hot, humid day with profuse sweating and hot, dry skin. What is the MOST likely condition and immediate action?
- Heat exhaustion; move athlete to shade and apply cool wet towels
- Heat stroke; call 911 immediately and begin rapid whole-body cooling (Correct answer)
- Hyponatremia; administer sports drink with electrolytes
- Heat cramps; stretch the affected muscle and provide fluids
Correct answer: Heat stroke; call 911 immediately and begin rapid whole-body cooling
Hot, dry skin with collapse indicates heat stroke, a medical emergency requiring immediate 911 activation and aggressive cooling (cold-water immersion preferred).
Question 2: When designing a strength training facility, what minimum ceiling height is recommended by the NSCA for areas with overhead barbell lifting?
- 10 feet (3.0 m)
- 12 feet (3.7 m) (Correct answer)
- 14 feet (4.3 m)
- 16 feet (4.9 m)
Correct answer: 12 feet (3.7 m)
The NSCA recommends a minimum ceiling height of 12 feet (3.7 m) in areas where overhead lifting with barbells occurs to ensure athlete and equipment safety.
Question 3: An athlete reports tingling and numbness in the fingers after a heavy bench press set. Which condition is MOST consistent with these symptoms in a resistance training context?
- Thoracic outlet syndrome (Correct answer)
- Lateral epicondylitis
- De Quervain's tenosynovitis
- Triangular fibrocartilage complex tear
Correct answer: Thoracic outlet syndrome
Thoracic outlet syndrome involves compression of nerves/vessels near the clavicle and first rib, causing upper extremity tingling or numbness, often aggravated by overhead or heavy pressing movements.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes the purpose of the PAR-Q (Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire) in a strength and conditioning setting?
- To assess an athlete's one-repetition maximum safely
- To identify individuals who need medical clearance before starting exercise (Correct answer)
- To measure cardiovascular fitness before programming
- To screen for dietary deficiencies that affect performance
Correct answer: To identify individuals who need medical clearance before starting exercise
The PAR-Q is a pre-participation health screening tool designed to identify individuals who may need physician clearance before engaging in physical activity.
Question 5: During an outdoor summer practice, a coach wants to determine whether conditions are safe for intense training. Which measurement MOST accurately reflects the combined heat stress on the body?
- Air temperature only
- Relative humidity only
- Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) (Correct answer)
- Heat index (temperature + humidity)
Correct answer: Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)
WBGT accounts for temperature, humidity, wind, and solar radiation, making it the most comprehensive measure of environmental heat stress for athletic settings.
Question 6: A strength coach observes a defensive lineman's urine is dark amber before an afternoon practice. What is the recommended intervention?
- Allow the athlete to practice with extra rest breaks
- Have the athlete consume 500 mL of water and reassess in 30 minutes
- Restrict participation until urine color is pale yellow and adequate hydration is confirmed (Correct answer)
- Administer an IV saline solution immediately
Correct answer: Restrict participation until urine color is pale yellow and adequate hydration is confirmed
Dark amber urine indicates significant dehydration, and the athlete should not participate in intense activity until rehydrated to a pale yellow urine color indicating euhydration.
Question 7: Which of the following is the CORRECT sequence of steps when an athlete experiences a suspected concussion during training?
- Continue practice, monitor symptoms, refer to physician if symptoms persist beyond 24 hours
- Remove from activity immediately, evaluate, do not return to play same day, refer to healthcare provider (Correct answer)
- Apply ice to head, have athlete rest 15 minutes, allow return if asymptomatic
- Administer smelling salts, assess balance, allow return if athlete feels ready
Correct answer: Remove from activity immediately, evaluate, do not return to play same day, refer to healthcare provider
NSCA and national guidelines require immediate removal from activity after suspected concussion, same-day return-to-play prohibition, and mandatory evaluation by a qualified healthcare provider.
NSCA CSCS Health & Safety 2
A strength and conditioning coach notices a football player suddenly collapses during a conditioning drill on a hot, humid day with profuse sweating and hot, dry skin.
What is the MOST likely condition and immediate action?