NSCA CSCS Health & Safety 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to NSCA guidelines, what is the recommended minimum space per athlete for free-weight areas in a strength training facility?
- 21.5 sq ft (2.0 m²)
- 36.0 sq ft (3.3 m²)
- 49.0 sq ft (4.6 m²) (Correct answer)
- 100 sq ft (9.3 m²)
Correct answer: 49.0 sq ft (4.6 m²)
The NSCA recommends a minimum of 49 sq ft (approximately 4.6 m²) per athlete in free-weight areas to allow safe movement and equipment use.
Question 2: A basketball player complains of sharp lateral knee pain when descending stairs, with tenderness at the lateral femoral condyle. This presentation is MOST consistent with which overuse injury?
- Medial collateral ligament sprain
- Iliotibial band syndrome (Correct answer)
- Patellar tendinopathy
- Pes anserine bursitis
Correct answer: Iliotibial band syndrome
IT band syndrome presents with lateral knee pain at the lateral femoral condyle, typically worsening with repetitive flexion-extension activities like running or stair descent.
Question 3: Which bloodborne pathogen protocol is MOST appropriate when a strength coach must assist a bleeding athlete during practice?
- Use bare hands for quick treatment, then wash hands afterward
- Don latex or nitrile gloves before any contact with blood or bodily fluids (Correct answer)
- Use a cloth towel to stop bleeding and dispose of it in the regular trash
- Only treat the athlete if they can confirm they have no bloodborne diseases
Correct answer: Don latex or nitrile gloves before any contact with blood or bodily fluids
Standard precautions require coaches to wear gloves before contact with blood or bodily fluids to prevent transmission of bloodborne pathogens such as HIV and HBV.
Question 4: An athlete collapses and is unresponsive. The coach cannot feel a pulse and there is an AED nearby. What is the CORRECT order of actions?
- Call 911, begin CPR, attach AED as soon as available (Correct answer)
- Attach AED first, then call 911, then begin CPR if AED does not shock
- Begin CPR, call 911 after 2 minutes, use AED only if trained
- Call family first, then call 911, begin CPR while waiting
Correct answer: Call 911, begin CPR, attach AED as soon as available
The chain of survival requires calling 911 first (or directing someone to call), beginning high-quality CPR immediately, and attaching the AED as soon as it is available without delaying compressions.
Question 5: Which of the following training adaptations MOST directly reduces an athlete's risk of non-contact ACL injury?
- Increasing upper body push-to-pull strength ratio
- Improving neuromuscular control and landing mechanics (Correct answer)
- Maximizing quadriceps hypertrophy through isolation exercises
- Increasing hamstring flexibility through static stretching only
Correct answer: Improving neuromuscular control and landing mechanics
Neuromuscular training programs targeting landing mechanics, dynamic valgus control, and hamstring-to-quadriceps co-activation ratios are the most evidence-based approach for ACL injury prevention.
Question 6: When inspecting resistance training equipment, which of the following defects requires IMMEDIATE removal from service?
- Minor surface rust on a barbell shaft
- A frayed cable on a cable machine (Correct answer)
- Worn grip tape on a pull-up bar
- A slightly bent weight plate storage peg
Correct answer: A frayed cable on a cable machine
A frayed cable is a critical safety hazard because it can snap under load, causing the weight stack to fall and potentially injuring the athlete or nearby individuals.
Question 7: Which electrolyte imbalance is MOST associated with endurance athletes who consume excessive plain water without electrolyte replacement during prolonged exercise?
- Hyperkalemia
- Hyponatremia (Correct answer)
- Hypercalcemia
- Hypermagnesemia
Correct answer: Hyponatremia
Exercise-associated hyponatremia (low serum sodium) results from excessive hypotonic fluid intake diluting blood sodium, and can cause symptoms ranging from nausea to seizures and death.
NSCA CSCS Health & Safety 3
According to NSCA guidelines, what is the recommended minimum space per athlete for free-weight areas in a strength training facility?