NSCA 5 EXAM QUESTIONS ANSWERED CORRECTLY LATEST UPDATE 2026
What is the NSCA's recommended minimum age for resistance training in youth? - Answers No
minimum age — appropriately supervised resistance training is safe for pre-adolescents
What are the NSCA's guidelines for youth resistance training loads? - Answers 6-15 reps at moderate
load; emphasize technique over load
What is the recommended space per athlete in a weight room per NSCA guidelines? - Answers 100 sq
ft per athlete using free weights
What is the recommended ceiling height for a weight room? - Answers Minimum 12-14 feet to
accommodate overhead lifting
What type of flooring is recommended for a weight room? - Answers Rubber flooring (at least 3/4
inch thick) for shock absorption and traction
What is the recommended temperature range for a weight room? - Answers 60-78°F (16-26°C)
What is the recommended humidity range for a weight room? - Answers 45-65% relative humidity
What is the recommended equipment ratio for free weights vs machines in a high school weight room
per NSCA? - Answers 50% free weight, 50% machine (varies by goal)
What does liability mean in strength and conditioning? - Answers Legal responsibility for injury or
harm resulting from negligence
What is negligence? - Answers Failure to provide a standard of care that a reasonable professional
would provide
What are the four elements of negligence? - Answers Duty, Breach of duty, Causation, Damages
(harm)
What is the purpose of an informed consent? - Answers Document that ensures athletes understand
the risks of training before participation
What is the difference between assumption of risk and informed consent? - Answers Assumption of
risk = acknowledgment that activity carries inherent risks; Informed consent = agreement to
participate with understanding of specific risks
What is a PAR-Q? - Answers Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire — a pre-participation health
screening tool
What are absolute contraindications to exercise testing? - Answers Recent MI, unstable angina,
uncontrolled arrhythmia, symptomatic severe aortic stenosis, acute pulmonary embolism, acute
myocarditis
What should a strength and conditioning coach do when an athlete reports chest pain during
training? - Answers Stop exercise immediately and activate emergency action plan (EAP)
What is rhabdomyolysis? - Answers Breakdown of muscle tissue releasing myoglobin into the
bloodstream, potentially causing kidney damage
What are early signs of exertional rhabdomyolysis? - Answers Extreme muscle soreness, swelling,
weakness, and dark (cola-colored) urine
What is exertional heat stroke? - Answers A life-threatening condition with core temp >104°F (40°C),
CNS dysfunction, requires immediate whole-body cooling
What is the first action when an athlete collapses and is unresponsive? - Answers Activate the EAP —
call 911, begin CPR if no pulse, use AED if available
What is the recommended hydration protocol before exercise? - Answers 17-20 oz of fluid 2-3 hours
before; 7-10 oz 10-20 minutes before
What is the recommended fluid intake during exercise? - Answers 7-10 oz every 10-20 minutes
What is the benefit of sodium in a sports drink? - Answers Stimulates thirst, aids fluid retention, and
replaces electrolytes lost in sweat
What is the purpose of the emergency action plan (EAP)? - Answers A written protocol detailing the
steps to follow in case of a medical emergency at a facility
What is scope of practice for a CSCS? - Answers Designing and implementing safe, effective strength
and conditioning programs; NOT diagnosing injury or providing medical/nutritional prescriptions
What is the SOAP note format? - Answers Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan — used for
documenting athlete health interactions
What is the recommended spotter-to-lifter ratio for free weight exercises? - Answers 1 spotter per
lifter for exercises like bench press; more may be needed for squats
What is OSHA and why is it relevant to strength and conditioning? - Answers Occupational Safety and
Health Administration — sets workplace safety standards including blood-borne pathogen exposure
What is the NSCA's recommended minimum age for resistance training in youth? - Answers No
minimum age — appropriately supervised resistance training is safe for pre-adolescents
What are the NSCA's guidelines for youth resistance training loads? - Answers 6-15 reps at moderate
load; emphasize technique over load
What is the recommended space per athlete in a weight room per NSCA guidelines? - Answers 100 sq
ft per athlete using free weights
What is the recommended ceiling height for a weight room? - Answers Minimum 12-14 feet to
accommodate overhead lifting
What type of flooring is recommended for a weight room? - Answers Rubber flooring (at least 3/4
inch thick) for shock absorption and traction
What is the recommended temperature range for a weight room? - Answers 60-78°F (16-26°C)
What is the recommended humidity range for a weight room? - Answers 45-65% relative humidity
What is the recommended equipment ratio for free weights vs machines in a high school weight room
per NSCA? - Answers 50% free weight, 50% machine (varies by goal)
What does liability mean in strength and conditioning? - Answers Legal responsibility for injury or
harm resulting from negligence
What is negligence? - Answers Failure to provide a standard of care that a reasonable professional
would provide
What are the four elements of negligence? - Answers Duty, Breach of duty, Causation, Damages
(harm)
What is the purpose of an informed consent? - Answers Document that ensures athletes understand
the risks of training before participation
What is the difference between assumption of risk and informed consent? - Answers Assumption of
risk = acknowledgment that activity carries inherent risks; Informed consent = agreement to
participate with understanding of specific risks
What is a PAR-Q? - Answers Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire — a pre-participation health
screening tool
What are absolute contraindications to exercise testing? - Answers Recent MI, unstable angina,
uncontrolled arrhythmia, symptomatic severe aortic stenosis, acute pulmonary embolism, acute
myocarditis
What should a strength and conditioning coach do when an athlete reports chest pain during
training? - Answers Stop exercise immediately and activate emergency action plan (EAP)
What is rhabdomyolysis? - Answers Breakdown of muscle tissue releasing myoglobin into the
bloodstream, potentially causing kidney damage
What are early signs of exertional rhabdomyolysis? - Answers Extreme muscle soreness, swelling,
weakness, and dark (cola-colored) urine
What is exertional heat stroke? - Answers A life-threatening condition with core temp >104°F (40°C),
CNS dysfunction, requires immediate whole-body cooling
What is the first action when an athlete collapses and is unresponsive? - Answers Activate the EAP —
call 911, begin CPR if no pulse, use AED if available
What is the recommended hydration protocol before exercise? - Answers 17-20 oz of fluid 2-3 hours
before; 7-10 oz 10-20 minutes before
What is the recommended fluid intake during exercise? - Answers 7-10 oz every 10-20 minutes
What is the benefit of sodium in a sports drink? - Answers Stimulates thirst, aids fluid retention, and
replaces electrolytes lost in sweat
What is the purpose of the emergency action plan (EAP)? - Answers A written protocol detailing the
steps to follow in case of a medical emergency at a facility
What is scope of practice for a CSCS? - Answers Designing and implementing safe, effective strength
and conditioning programs; NOT diagnosing injury or providing medical/nutritional prescriptions
What is the SOAP note format? - Answers Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan — used for
documenting athlete health interactions
What is the recommended spotter-to-lifter ratio for free weight exercises? - Answers 1 spotter per
lifter for exercises like bench press; more may be needed for squats
What is OSHA and why is it relevant to strength and conditioning? - Answers Occupational Safety and
Health Administration — sets workplace safety standards including blood-borne pathogen exposure
