NSCA CSCS Injury Prevention 5

Question 1

Which core stability exercise is most appropriate for an athlete early in a lumbar injury prevention program due to its low spinal compression load?

Accepted Answer

Abdominal hollowing and bird-dog progressions

Answer

Bird-dog and abdominal hollowing exercises activate deep stabilizers (transversus abdominis, multifidus) with minimal spinal compressive load, making them appropriate early in a lumbar prevention program.

Question 2

When designing a shoulder injury prevention program for overhead throwers, which muscle group is most critical to strengthen to protect the rotator cuff?

Accepted Answer

Rotator cuff (particularly infraspinatus and teres minor) and scapular stabilizers

Answer

The posterior rotator cuff (infraspinatus, teres minor) and scapular stabilizers control humeral head positioning and prevent subacromial impingement during overhead motions.

Question 3

A distance runner presents with iliotibial band syndrome. Which biomechanical factor is most commonly implicated?

Accepted Answer

Hip drop (Trendelenburg) and contralateral pelvic drop due to hip abductor weakness

Answer

Contralateral hip drop increases iliotibial band tension over the lateral femoral epicondyle, making hip abductor weakness a primary driver of ITBS.

Question 4

Which principle best describes why progressive overload must be balanced with adequate recovery in injury prevention?

Accepted Answer

Connective tissue (tendons, ligaments) adapts more slowly than muscle, requiring adequate recovery to prevent accumulation of microtrauma

Answer

Connective tissue remodels more slowly than muscle, so inadequate recovery between loading bouts allows microtrauma to accumulate and progress to injury.

Question 5

What is the primary purpose of a return-to-sport continuum following musculoskeletal injury?

Accepted Answer

To systematically progress loading demands to confirm tissue readiness and reduce re-injury risk

Answer

A return-to-sport continuum progressively challenges the healing tissue through criteria-based stages to confirm readiness and minimize re-injury risk.

NSCA CSCS - NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Practice Test

NSCA CSCS - NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Practice Test

NSCA CSCS Injury Prevention 5