NSCA CPSS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Understand the relevant theory and principles that underpin training. - CORRECT
ANSWER - Training Load model, Periodization, Parallel training model, Sequential
Training Model,
Periodization vs Programming - CORRECT ANSWER - Periodization is a a macro-
management strategy that serves as a training blueprint, from which periods of time are
assigned that target specific skills, fitness, or performance related factors. Volume and
intensity are inversely related. 1-3 peaks/macrocycles per year
Programming is an operation of strategic thinking which is best accomplished when
ongoing monitoring is integrated into the periodization process.
How is biological adaptation achieved? - CORRECT ANSWER - by disturbing the
current capacity of the system
What is supercompensation? - CORRECT ANSWER - Supercompensation is the effect
whereby performance is enhanced if the body is able/allowed to adapt.
What syndrome is supercompensation related to? - CORRECT ANSWER - General
adaptation syndrome
What is general adaptation syndrome? - CORRECT ANSWER - The framework of
interaction between the imposed training stress, acute fatigue response, adaptation,
and a new level of homeostasis/performance.
How does overtraining syndrome develop? - CORRECT ANSWER - After continued
high volume, high intensity training or both when an athlete is over-reached.
Which training model is when performance of a positive fitness effect and a negative
fatigue effect decay exponentially over time but at different rates? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Fitness-fatigue model
What is the dose-response relationship? - CORRECT ANSWER - relationship between
the size of an administered dose and the intensity of the response produced
What qualifies as external load? - CORRECT ANSWER - Amount of weight lifted,
distance/speed of running, its what an athlete has done.
, What is it called when an athlete has responded to an external load? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Internal load
How is external load measured? - CORRECT ANSWER - camera systems, global
positioning systems, local positioning systems, often in conjunction with other sensors
such as accelerometers and power meters.
What is the principle that the energy cost of acceleration is equivalent to running at a
constant speed up an "equivalent slope"? - CORRECT ANSWER - Metabolic Power
What is the most appropriate equation for quantifying resistance training load? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Number of sets x number of repetitions x percent repetition max
What is performance? - CORRECT ANSWER - A function of the difference between
fitness and fatigue
Which central and peripheral sites contribute to fatigue? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Activation of the motor command (brain)
Propagation of the action potential through the descending motor pathway
Myofilament excitation-contraction coupling
Status of the intracellular milieu
What is Psychobiological model of fatigue? - CORRECT ANSWER - Modification of
intensity whereby fatigue occurs when the effort required exceeds maximal effort the
athlete is willing to exert or when the athlete believes the effort has been maximal and it
feels impossible to continue.
What is the Integrative governor theory? - CORRECT ANSWER - Suggests both
psychological and physiological factors limit performance with a particular focus on
subconscious avoidance of catastrophic failure due to severe disruptions in
homeostasis.
what is the deterministic model of training? - CORRECT ANSWER - a model of sports
performance wherein there is a unique consequence or or outcome to every input or
state
What is a dynamic systems theory of training? - CORRECT ANSWER - a model of
sports performance used to describe complex behavior across complex and dynamic
systems
Understand the relevant theory and principles that underpin training. - CORRECT
ANSWER - Training Load model, Periodization, Parallel training model, Sequential
Training Model,
Periodization vs Programming - CORRECT ANSWER - Periodization is a a macro-
management strategy that serves as a training blueprint, from which periods of time are
assigned that target specific skills, fitness, or performance related factors. Volume and
intensity are inversely related. 1-3 peaks/macrocycles per year
Programming is an operation of strategic thinking which is best accomplished when
ongoing monitoring is integrated into the periodization process.
How is biological adaptation achieved? - CORRECT ANSWER - by disturbing the
current capacity of the system
What is supercompensation? - CORRECT ANSWER - Supercompensation is the effect
whereby performance is enhanced if the body is able/allowed to adapt.
What syndrome is supercompensation related to? - CORRECT ANSWER - General
adaptation syndrome
What is general adaptation syndrome? - CORRECT ANSWER - The framework of
interaction between the imposed training stress, acute fatigue response, adaptation,
and a new level of homeostasis/performance.
How does overtraining syndrome develop? - CORRECT ANSWER - After continued
high volume, high intensity training or both when an athlete is over-reached.
Which training model is when performance of a positive fitness effect and a negative
fatigue effect decay exponentially over time but at different rates? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Fitness-fatigue model
What is the dose-response relationship? - CORRECT ANSWER - relationship between
the size of an administered dose and the intensity of the response produced
What qualifies as external load? - CORRECT ANSWER - Amount of weight lifted,
distance/speed of running, its what an athlete has done.
, What is it called when an athlete has responded to an external load? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Internal load
How is external load measured? - CORRECT ANSWER - camera systems, global
positioning systems, local positioning systems, often in conjunction with other sensors
such as accelerometers and power meters.
What is the principle that the energy cost of acceleration is equivalent to running at a
constant speed up an "equivalent slope"? - CORRECT ANSWER - Metabolic Power
What is the most appropriate equation for quantifying resistance training load? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Number of sets x number of repetitions x percent repetition max
What is performance? - CORRECT ANSWER - A function of the difference between
fitness and fatigue
Which central and peripheral sites contribute to fatigue? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Activation of the motor command (brain)
Propagation of the action potential through the descending motor pathway
Myofilament excitation-contraction coupling
Status of the intracellular milieu
What is Psychobiological model of fatigue? - CORRECT ANSWER - Modification of
intensity whereby fatigue occurs when the effort required exceeds maximal effort the
athlete is willing to exert or when the athlete believes the effort has been maximal and it
feels impossible to continue.
What is the Integrative governor theory? - CORRECT ANSWER - Suggests both
psychological and physiological factors limit performance with a particular focus on
subconscious avoidance of catastrophic failure due to severe disruptions in
homeostasis.
what is the deterministic model of training? - CORRECT ANSWER - a model of sports
performance wherein there is a unique consequence or or outcome to every input or
state
What is a dynamic systems theory of training? - CORRECT ANSWER - a model of
sports performance used to describe complex behavior across complex and dynamic
systems
