NSCA Certified Performance and Sport
Scientist (CPSS) Exam Questions and
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. Which energy system provides most of the ATP for maximal efforts lasting
about 5 seconds?
A. Oxidative system
B. Glycolytic system
C. ATP-PC system
D. Lactate system
Answer: C
Rationale: The ATP-PC (phosphagen) system supplies immediate energy during
very short, explosive efforts lasting approximately 0–10 seconds.
2. Which muscle fiber type has the greatest resistance to fatigue?
A. Type IIx
B. Type IIa
C. Type I
D. Type III
Answer: C
Rationale: Type I (slow-twitch) muscle fibers rely primarily on aerobic metabolism
and are highly resistant to fatigue.
,3. VO₂ max is a measure of:
A. Muscle strength
B. Maximum oxygen consumption
C. Blood glucose concentration
D. Bone density
Answer: B
Rationale: VO₂ max represents the highest rate at which oxygen can be used
during maximal exercise and reflects aerobic fitness.
4. Which physiological variable is commonly used to estimate exercise intensity
during endurance training?
A. Shoe size
B. Heart rate
C. Eye color
D. Height
Answer: B
Rationale: Heart rate closely reflects cardiovascular workload and is commonly
used to prescribe exercise intensity.
5. Progressive overload is best described as:
A. Training less each week
B. Gradually increasing training demands
C. Avoiding resistance training
D. Exercising only at maximum intensity
Answer: B
Rationale: Progressive overload stimulates adaptation by gradually increasing
exercise stress.
, 6. Which hormone primarily promotes muscle protein synthesis?
A. Cortisol
B. Insulin
C. Testosterone
D. Epinephrine
Answer: C
Rationale: Testosterone is a major anabolic hormone that supports muscle
growth and protein synthesis.
7. Which test is commonly used to measure lower-body power?
A. Sit-and-reach test
B. Vertical jump test
C. Grip strength test
D. Cooper test
Answer: B
Rationale: The vertical jump assesses explosive lower-body power.
8. Force equals:
A. Mass × Velocity
B. Mass × Acceleration
C. Power × Time
D. Velocity × Distance
Answer: B
Rationale: Newton's Second Law states that force equals mass multiplied by
acceleration.
9. Which plane divides the body into left and right portions?
Scientist (CPSS) Exam Questions and
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. Which energy system provides most of the ATP for maximal efforts lasting
about 5 seconds?
A. Oxidative system
B. Glycolytic system
C. ATP-PC system
D. Lactate system
Answer: C
Rationale: The ATP-PC (phosphagen) system supplies immediate energy during
very short, explosive efforts lasting approximately 0–10 seconds.
2. Which muscle fiber type has the greatest resistance to fatigue?
A. Type IIx
B. Type IIa
C. Type I
D. Type III
Answer: C
Rationale: Type I (slow-twitch) muscle fibers rely primarily on aerobic metabolism
and are highly resistant to fatigue.
,3. VO₂ max is a measure of:
A. Muscle strength
B. Maximum oxygen consumption
C. Blood glucose concentration
D. Bone density
Answer: B
Rationale: VO₂ max represents the highest rate at which oxygen can be used
during maximal exercise and reflects aerobic fitness.
4. Which physiological variable is commonly used to estimate exercise intensity
during endurance training?
A. Shoe size
B. Heart rate
C. Eye color
D. Height
Answer: B
Rationale: Heart rate closely reflects cardiovascular workload and is commonly
used to prescribe exercise intensity.
5. Progressive overload is best described as:
A. Training less each week
B. Gradually increasing training demands
C. Avoiding resistance training
D. Exercising only at maximum intensity
Answer: B
Rationale: Progressive overload stimulates adaptation by gradually increasing
exercise stress.
, 6. Which hormone primarily promotes muscle protein synthesis?
A. Cortisol
B. Insulin
C. Testosterone
D. Epinephrine
Answer: C
Rationale: Testosterone is a major anabolic hormone that supports muscle
growth and protein synthesis.
7. Which test is commonly used to measure lower-body power?
A. Sit-and-reach test
B. Vertical jump test
C. Grip strength test
D. Cooper test
Answer: B
Rationale: The vertical jump assesses explosive lower-body power.
8. Force equals:
A. Mass × Velocity
B. Mass × Acceleration
C. Power × Time
D. Velocity × Distance
Answer: B
Rationale: Newton's Second Law states that force equals mass multiplied by
acceleration.
9. Which plane divides the body into left and right portions?
