One original question from each of 10 topics, each with an explanation. Tap an answer to see whether you were right and why. Finish to see which topics need work.
All questions are original practice questions, not official NSCA exam or past questions. This site is not affiliated with the NSCA.
1.Which energy system primarily supplies energy during a maximal effort lasting about 10 seconds, such as a 100 m sprint?
Answer: AMaximal efforts of a few seconds up to about 10 seconds rely mainly on the phosphagen system (ATP and creatine phosphate). As duration increases, glycolysis and then the oxidative system contribute more.
2.Which proprioceptor detects changes in muscle length and the rate of that change?
Answer: BMuscle spindles detect changes in muscle length and trigger the stretch reflex. Golgi tendon organs detect tension in the muscle-tendon unit and tend to inhibit muscle activity.
4.Which theory states that performance peaks at a moderate level of arousal?
Answer: CThe inverted-U hypothesis holds that performance declines when arousal is too low or too high and peaks at a moderate level. Drive theory proposes that performance rises as arousal rises.
5.During the descent of the back squat, how should the knees be aligned?
Answer: BThe knees should track in the same direction as the toes while flexing. Letting the knees collapse inward (knee valgus) increases stress on the knee joint.
6.For hypertrophy as the main goal, which load and repetition combination is generally recommended?
Answer: BHypertrophy guidelines are 67–85% 1RM for 6–12 reps. ≥85% for ≤6 reps targets maximal strength, and ≤67% for ≥12 reps targets muscular endurance.
7.What happens when the amortization phase (transition) of the stretch-shortening cycle becomes longer?
Answer: DA long amortization phase lets the elastic energy stored during the eccentric phase dissipate as heat and reduces the benefit of the stretch reflex. Keeping the transition short is key in plyometrics.
8.What is the degree to which a test produces consistent results when repeated under the same conditions?
Answer: BConsistency across repeated measurements is reliability. Validity is the degree to which a test measures what it is intended to measure. A test cannot be valid without being reliable.