ISSA Strength & Conditioning Exam Practice
Questions Answered Correctly
1: What is the primary goal of strength and conditioning programs?.---
correct answer ---
The primary goal of strength and conditioning programs is to enhance
athletic performance, including improving strength, power, speed, and
endurance while reducing the risk of injury.
2: Which energy system is primarily used during high-intensity, short-
duration exercises like sprinting?.--- correct answer ---
The anaerobic alactic (ATP-PC) energy system is primarily used during high-
intensity, short-duration exercises like sprinting.
3: What is periodization in the context of strength training?.--- correct
answer ---
Periodization is the systematic planning of athletic training that involves
progressive cycling of various aspects of a training program during a
specific period.
4: How does plyometric training improve athletic performance?.--- correct
answer --- Plyometric training improves athletic performance by enhancing
the stretch-shortening cycle, which increases power and explosiveness.
,5: What is the significance of the overload principle in strength training?.---
correct answer ---
The overload principle is significant because it states that to improve
strength and fitness, the body must be challenged with a workload greater
than what it is accustomed to.
6: Define the term muscular hypertrophy.
Muscular hypertrophy refers to the increase in muscle size due to resistance
training, resulting from an increase in the size of individual muscle fibers.
7: What is the role of a strength and conditioning coach?.--- correct answer -
--
The role of a strength and conditioning coach is to design and implement
training programs that improve athletic performance and reduce injury risk,
tailored to the needs of individual athletes or teams.
8: What factors influence an athletes flexibility?.--- correct answer ---
Factors influencing an athletes flexibility include joint structure, muscle
elasticity, nervous system regulation, age, sex, and physical activity levels.
9: Explain the concept of specificity in training.
, The concept of specificity in training refers to the idea that training should
be relevant and appropriate to the sport or activity for which the individual
is preparing, targeting specific muscles and energy systems.
10: How does strength training benefit cardiovascular health?.--- correct
answer ---
Strength training benefits cardiovascular health by improving heart
function, reducing blood pressure, increasing HDL cholesterol, and
enhancing overall metabolic health.
11: What is the difference between concentric and eccentric muscle
actions?.--- correct answer --- Concentric muscle actions involve muscle
shortening as it contracts, while eccentric muscle actions involve muscle
lengthening under tension.
12: Why is proper nutrition important for athletes undergoing strength and
conditioning programs?.--- correct answer ---
Proper nutrition is important for athletes because it provides the energy
and nutrients necessary for optimal performance, recovery, and muscle
growth.
13: What is the purpose of a warm-up before exercise?.--- correct answer ---
The purpose of a warm-up is to increase body temperature, enhance blood
flow to muscles, reduce injury risk, and prepare the body for more intense
physical activity.
Questions Answered Correctly
1: What is the primary goal of strength and conditioning programs?.---
correct answer ---
The primary goal of strength and conditioning programs is to enhance
athletic performance, including improving strength, power, speed, and
endurance while reducing the risk of injury.
2: Which energy system is primarily used during high-intensity, short-
duration exercises like sprinting?.--- correct answer ---
The anaerobic alactic (ATP-PC) energy system is primarily used during high-
intensity, short-duration exercises like sprinting.
3: What is periodization in the context of strength training?.--- correct
answer ---
Periodization is the systematic planning of athletic training that involves
progressive cycling of various aspects of a training program during a
specific period.
4: How does plyometric training improve athletic performance?.--- correct
answer --- Plyometric training improves athletic performance by enhancing
the stretch-shortening cycle, which increases power and explosiveness.
,5: What is the significance of the overload principle in strength training?.---
correct answer ---
The overload principle is significant because it states that to improve
strength and fitness, the body must be challenged with a workload greater
than what it is accustomed to.
6: Define the term muscular hypertrophy.
Muscular hypertrophy refers to the increase in muscle size due to resistance
training, resulting from an increase in the size of individual muscle fibers.
7: What is the role of a strength and conditioning coach?.--- correct answer -
--
The role of a strength and conditioning coach is to design and implement
training programs that improve athletic performance and reduce injury risk,
tailored to the needs of individual athletes or teams.
8: What factors influence an athletes flexibility?.--- correct answer ---
Factors influencing an athletes flexibility include joint structure, muscle
elasticity, nervous system regulation, age, sex, and physical activity levels.
9: Explain the concept of specificity in training.
, The concept of specificity in training refers to the idea that training should
be relevant and appropriate to the sport or activity for which the individual
is preparing, targeting specific muscles and energy systems.
10: How does strength training benefit cardiovascular health?.--- correct
answer ---
Strength training benefits cardiovascular health by improving heart
function, reducing blood pressure, increasing HDL cholesterol, and
enhancing overall metabolic health.
11: What is the difference between concentric and eccentric muscle
actions?.--- correct answer --- Concentric muscle actions involve muscle
shortening as it contracts, while eccentric muscle actions involve muscle
lengthening under tension.
12: Why is proper nutrition important for athletes undergoing strength and
conditioning programs?.--- correct answer ---
Proper nutrition is important for athletes because it provides the energy
and nutrients necessary for optimal performance, recovery, and muscle
growth.
13: What is the purpose of a warm-up before exercise?.--- correct answer ---
The purpose of a warm-up is to increase body temperature, enhance blood
flow to muscles, reduce injury risk, and prepare the body for more intense
physical activity.
