NSCA CPSS EXAM 2026/2027 WITH
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WRITTEN
CORRECTLY
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.
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 do
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.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WRITTEN
CORRECTLY
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.
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 do
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.
