1|Page
CISSN EXAM 2026-2027: COMPLETE TEST BANK &
STUDY GUIDE – 200+ GRADED A+ QUESTIONS WITH
RATIONALES – CERTIFIED SPORTS NUTRITIONIST –
FIRST-TIME PASS GUARANTEED
# TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Section | Topic | Number of Questions |
|---------|-------|---------------------|
| 1 | Exercise Physiology & Energy Metabolism | 25 |
| 2 | Macronutrients: Carbohydrates & Performance | 20 |
| 3 | Macronutrients: Protein & Amino Acids | 20 |
| 4 | Macronutrients: Lipids & Fat Metabolism | 15 |
| 5 | Micronutrients: Vitamins & Minerals | 20 |
| 6 | Hydration & Electrolyte Balance | 15 |
| 7 | Ergogenic Aids & Dietary Supplements | 30 |
| 8 | Nutrient Timing & Periodization | 15 |
| 9 | Body Composition & Weight Management | 20 |
| 10 | Special Populations & Clinical Considerations | 15 |
| 11 | Comprehensive Mock Exam – Mixed Topics | 25 |
---
,2|Page
# SECTION 1: EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY & ENERGY METABOLISM (25
Questions)
**Q1.** Which three energy systems are used to regenerate ATP during exercise?
A) Phosphagen (ATP-PC), glycolytic, and oxidative (mitochondrial)
B) Aerobic, anaerobic, and respiratory
C) Krebs cycle, electron transport chain, and beta-oxidation
D) Immediate, short-term, and long-term
**Answer: A** – Rationale: The three energy systems are: (1) Phosphagen (ATP-
PC) – immediate, (2) Glycolytic (anaerobic) – short-term, and (3) Oxidative
(mitochondrial) – long-term. These work in a continuum depending on exercise
intensity and duration .
**Q2.** Where does glycolysis occur within the cell?
A) Mitochondrial matrix
B) Cytoplasm (cytosol)
C) Nucleus
D) Endoplasmic reticulum
**Answer: B** – Rationale: Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell. This
anaerobic process breaks down glucose into pyruvate, producing a net gain of 2
ATP and 2 NADH per glucose molecule .
,3|Page
**Q3.** Where does the Krebs cycle (citric acid cycle) occur?
A) Cytoplasm
B) Inner mitochondrial membrane
C) Mitochondrial matrix
D) Nucleus
**Answer: C** – Rationale: The Krebs cycle occurs in the mitochondrial matrix.
This is where acetyl-CoA is oxidized to produce NADH, FADH₂, and ATP (GTP)
for the electron transport chain .
**Q4.** What is the primary role of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) in muscle
contraction?
A) Structural support for myofibrils
B) Direct energy source for cross-bridge cycling and calcium reuptake
C) Storage form of glucose in muscle
D) Oxygen transport to mitochondria
**Answer: B** – Rationale: ATP provides the immediate energy for myosin head
movement (cross-bridge cycling) and for the SERCA pump to reuptake calcium
into the sarcoplasmic reticulum after contraction .
**Q5.** During high-intensity exercise lasting 10-30 seconds (e.g., 100m sprint),
which energy system predominates?
, 4|Page
A) Oxidative phosphorylation
B) Glycolytic system
C) Phosphagen (ATP-PC) system
D) Beta-oxidation
**Answer: C** – Rationale: The phosphagen system (ATP-PC) predominates
during very high-intensity exercise lasting approximately 10-30 seconds. It
provides immediate ATP through creatine kinase breaking down phosphocreatine .
**Q6.** During high-intensity exercise lasting 60-120 seconds (e.g., 400m run),
which energy system predominates?
A) Phosphagen system
B) Glycolytic (anaerobic) system
C) Oxidative system
D) Beta-oxidation
**Answer: B** – Rationale: The glycolytic (anaerobic) system predominates
during high-intensity exercise lasting approximately 1-2 minutes. This system
breaks down glucose or glycogen to pyruvate, which is converted to lactate in the
absence of sufficient oxygen .
**Q7.** What is a byproduct of incomplete fat oxidation during exercise?
A) Glucose
B) Lactate
CISSN EXAM 2026-2027: COMPLETE TEST BANK &
STUDY GUIDE – 200+ GRADED A+ QUESTIONS WITH
RATIONALES – CERTIFIED SPORTS NUTRITIONIST –
FIRST-TIME PASS GUARANTEED
# TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Section | Topic | Number of Questions |
|---------|-------|---------------------|
| 1 | Exercise Physiology & Energy Metabolism | 25 |
| 2 | Macronutrients: Carbohydrates & Performance | 20 |
| 3 | Macronutrients: Protein & Amino Acids | 20 |
| 4 | Macronutrients: Lipids & Fat Metabolism | 15 |
| 5 | Micronutrients: Vitamins & Minerals | 20 |
| 6 | Hydration & Electrolyte Balance | 15 |
| 7 | Ergogenic Aids & Dietary Supplements | 30 |
| 8 | Nutrient Timing & Periodization | 15 |
| 9 | Body Composition & Weight Management | 20 |
| 10 | Special Populations & Clinical Considerations | 15 |
| 11 | Comprehensive Mock Exam – Mixed Topics | 25 |
---
,2|Page
# SECTION 1: EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY & ENERGY METABOLISM (25
Questions)
**Q1.** Which three energy systems are used to regenerate ATP during exercise?
A) Phosphagen (ATP-PC), glycolytic, and oxidative (mitochondrial)
B) Aerobic, anaerobic, and respiratory
C) Krebs cycle, electron transport chain, and beta-oxidation
D) Immediate, short-term, and long-term
**Answer: A** – Rationale: The three energy systems are: (1) Phosphagen (ATP-
PC) – immediate, (2) Glycolytic (anaerobic) – short-term, and (3) Oxidative
(mitochondrial) – long-term. These work in a continuum depending on exercise
intensity and duration .
**Q2.** Where does glycolysis occur within the cell?
A) Mitochondrial matrix
B) Cytoplasm (cytosol)
C) Nucleus
D) Endoplasmic reticulum
**Answer: B** – Rationale: Glycolysis occurs in the cytoplasm of the cell. This
anaerobic process breaks down glucose into pyruvate, producing a net gain of 2
ATP and 2 NADH per glucose molecule .
,3|Page
**Q3.** Where does the Krebs cycle (citric acid cycle) occur?
A) Cytoplasm
B) Inner mitochondrial membrane
C) Mitochondrial matrix
D) Nucleus
**Answer: C** – Rationale: The Krebs cycle occurs in the mitochondrial matrix.
This is where acetyl-CoA is oxidized to produce NADH, FADH₂, and ATP (GTP)
for the electron transport chain .
**Q4.** What is the primary role of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) in muscle
contraction?
A) Structural support for myofibrils
B) Direct energy source for cross-bridge cycling and calcium reuptake
C) Storage form of glucose in muscle
D) Oxygen transport to mitochondria
**Answer: B** – Rationale: ATP provides the immediate energy for myosin head
movement (cross-bridge cycling) and for the SERCA pump to reuptake calcium
into the sarcoplasmic reticulum after contraction .
**Q5.** During high-intensity exercise lasting 10-30 seconds (e.g., 100m sprint),
which energy system predominates?
, 4|Page
A) Oxidative phosphorylation
B) Glycolytic system
C) Phosphagen (ATP-PC) system
D) Beta-oxidation
**Answer: C** – Rationale: The phosphagen system (ATP-PC) predominates
during very high-intensity exercise lasting approximately 10-30 seconds. It
provides immediate ATP through creatine kinase breaking down phosphocreatine .
**Q6.** During high-intensity exercise lasting 60-120 seconds (e.g., 400m run),
which energy system predominates?
A) Phosphagen system
B) Glycolytic (anaerobic) system
C) Oxidative system
D) Beta-oxidation
**Answer: B** – Rationale: The glycolytic (anaerobic) system predominates
during high-intensity exercise lasting approximately 1-2 minutes. This system
breaks down glucose or glycogen to pyruvate, which is converted to lactate in the
absence of sufficient oxygen .
**Q7.** What is a byproduct of incomplete fat oxidation during exercise?
A) Glucose
B) Lactate
