USATF Sports Nutrition & Hydration 3

Question 1

Iron deficiency is particularly common among which group of track and field athletes?

Accepted Answer

Female distance runners

Answer

Male shot putters

Answer

Male sprinters

Answer

Female jumpers

Question 2

Which dietary strategy best supports glycogen supercompensation (carbohydrate loading) before a distance event?

Accepted Answer

Tapering training while increasing carbohydrate intake to 10–12 g/kg/day for 1–3 days before the event

Answer

Reducing carbohydrate intake to 2 g/kg for 7 days before the event

Answer

Consuming protein shakes every 2 hours in the week before the race

Answer

Fasting for 24 hours, then eating a single large carbohydrate meal the night before

Question 3

A coach suspects an athlete may be developing Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S). Which of the following is a physiological consequence of this condition?

Accepted Answer

Impaired immune function and hormonal disruption

Answer

Increased bone mineral density

Answer

Elevated resting metabolic rate

Answer

Enhanced fat oxidation with no performance decline

Question 4

What is the recommended approach for an athlete who must compete in the heat and humidity to minimize heat-related illness risk?

Accepted Answer

Heat acclimatize over 10–14 days, maintain hydration, and adjust race pace expectations

Answer

Consume caffeine before the event to boost alertness and reduce perceived exertion

Answer

Wear extra clothing during warm-up to increase sweating and pre-cool the body

Answer

Avoid all fluids during the race to prevent exercise-associated hyponatremia

Question 5

Which substance is classified by WADA as a prohibited stimulant when used above threshold urine concentrations, and coaches must monitor athlete consumption?

Accepted Answer

Caffeine

Answer

Creatine monohydrate

Answer

Beta-alanine

Answer

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)

Question 6

What role does sodium bicarbonate play as an ergogenic aid for track athletes competing in events of 1–10 minutes?

Accepted Answer

It acts as an extracellular buffer, reducing blood acidosis from lactate accumulation

Answer

It increases creatine phosphate resynthesis for explosive power

Answer

It stimulates growth hormone release to improve muscle mass

Answer

It enhances oxygen delivery by increasing red blood cell production

Question 7

A USATF coach should advise athletes that the primary risk of consuming very high doses of protein supplements (above 3 g/kg/day) is:

Accepted Answer

Displacement of carbohydrates and fats needed for energy, with potential renal stress in susceptible individuals

Answer

Rapid muscle growth beyond the athlete's structural capacity

Answer

Immune system suppression and increased infection risk

Answer

Acute hypoglycemia due to insulin overstimulation