NSCA CPSS Exam – Newest Version
with 200 Practice Questions and
Verified Correct Answers with
Rationales (Graded A+)
Domain 1: Training Theory and Process (Questions 1-50)
Independent Questions (1-30); Case Study-Based (31-50: Athlete Case - Soccer Player
Periodization)
1. Question: What principle underpins the design of a training program in sport science?
Answer: Specificity. Rationale: Specificity ensures training mimics sport demands (e.g.,
sprint drills for sprinters); DCO 1.A references SAID principle (Specific Adaptations to
Imposed Demands) from NSCA Essentials (Ch. 3; Haff & Triplett, 2016).
2. Question: In periodization, what is the macrocycle? Answer: Long-term plan spanning a
year or season. Rationale: Macrocycle (12 months) divides into mesocycles/microcycles
for progressive overload; DCO 1.B (Issurin linear vs. block models, 2008).
3. Question: Psychological preparation in training includes? Answer: Mental imagery and
goal setting. Rationale: Enhances focus/resilience; DCO 1.C (Weinberg & Gould,
Foundations of Sport Psych, 2019).
4. Question: What is undulating periodization? Answer: Daily/weekly variation in
intensity/volume. Rationale: Prevents stagnation vs. linear; DCO 1.B (Rhea et al., 2002
study showed superior gains).
5. Question: Nutrition's role in training process? Answer: Fueling recovery and adaptation.
Rationale: Carbs for glycogen, protein for repair; DCO 1.C (Thomas et al., IOC
Consensus, 2016).
,6. Question: What is concurrent training? Answer: Combining strength and endurance.
Rationale: Interference effect managed by sequencing; DCO 1.A (Hickson, 1980 classic
study).
7. Question: Recovery interventions include? Answer: Active rest and sleep optimization.
Rationale: Reduces overtraining; DCO 1.C (Kellmann, Recovery-Cognition, 2010).
8. Question: What is tactical periodization? Answer: Integrates technical/tactical with
physical. Rationale: Holistic for team sports; DCO 1.B (Verkhoshansky, 2011).
9. Question: Personal growth in athlete prep? Answer: Life skills and resilience training.
Rationale: Beyond performance; DCO 1.C (Gould et al., Olympic athlete psych skills).
10. Question: Equipment constraints in programming? Answer: Adapt exercises (e.g., bands
for weights). Rationale: Feasibility; DCO 1.B.
11. Question: What is reverse periodization? Answer: Starts high volume, tapers intensity.
Rationale: For endurance peaking; DCO 1.B (Mujika & Padilla, 2000).
12. Question: Sport development dimension? Answer: Skill acquisition across ages.
Rationale: LTAD model; DCO 1.C (Balyi et al., 2013).
13. Question: What is block periodization? Answer: Concentrated loads in short blocks.
Rationale: Superior for elites; DCO 1.B (Issurin, 2008).
14. Question: Psychological monitoring tool? Answer: RESTQ-Sport questionnaire.
Rationale: Recovery-stress balance; DCO 1.C.
, 15. Question: Nutrition timing for training? Answer: Pre/post-workout carbs/protein.
Rationale: Anabolic window; DCO 1.C (Aragon & Schoenfeld, 2013).
16. Question: What is conjugate periodization? Answer: Concurrent max effort, dynamic,
repetition methods. Rationale: Westside Barbell; DCO 1.B.
17. Question: Recovery modality example? Answer: Contrast bath therapy. Rationale:
Vasodilation/constriction; DCO 1.C (Higgins et al., 2017 meta).
18. Question: Athlete history consideration? Answer: Injury past for deloads. Rationale:
Individualization; DCO 1.B.
19. Question: What is nonlinear periodization? Answer: Weekly intensity variation.
Rationale: DUP; DCO 1.B (Rhea, 2002).
20. Question: Interventions in prep? Answer: Plyometrics for power. Rationale: Sport-
specific; DCO 1.C.
21. Question: Location constraint? Answer: Home workouts if no gym. Rationale:
Adaptability; DCO 1.B.
22. Question: Time of year adjustment? Answer: Off-season volume build. Rationale:
Peaking; DCO 1.B.
23. Question: Psychological dimension tool? Answer: CSAI-2 anxiety inventory. Rationale:
Competitive state; DCO 1.C.
with 200 Practice Questions and
Verified Correct Answers with
Rationales (Graded A+)
Domain 1: Training Theory and Process (Questions 1-50)
Independent Questions (1-30); Case Study-Based (31-50: Athlete Case - Soccer Player
Periodization)
1. Question: What principle underpins the design of a training program in sport science?
Answer: Specificity. Rationale: Specificity ensures training mimics sport demands (e.g.,
sprint drills for sprinters); DCO 1.A references SAID principle (Specific Adaptations to
Imposed Demands) from NSCA Essentials (Ch. 3; Haff & Triplett, 2016).
2. Question: In periodization, what is the macrocycle? Answer: Long-term plan spanning a
year or season. Rationale: Macrocycle (12 months) divides into mesocycles/microcycles
for progressive overload; DCO 1.B (Issurin linear vs. block models, 2008).
3. Question: Psychological preparation in training includes? Answer: Mental imagery and
goal setting. Rationale: Enhances focus/resilience; DCO 1.C (Weinberg & Gould,
Foundations of Sport Psych, 2019).
4. Question: What is undulating periodization? Answer: Daily/weekly variation in
intensity/volume. Rationale: Prevents stagnation vs. linear; DCO 1.B (Rhea et al., 2002
study showed superior gains).
5. Question: Nutrition's role in training process? Answer: Fueling recovery and adaptation.
Rationale: Carbs for glycogen, protein for repair; DCO 1.C (Thomas et al., IOC
Consensus, 2016).
,6. Question: What is concurrent training? Answer: Combining strength and endurance.
Rationale: Interference effect managed by sequencing; DCO 1.A (Hickson, 1980 classic
study).
7. Question: Recovery interventions include? Answer: Active rest and sleep optimization.
Rationale: Reduces overtraining; DCO 1.C (Kellmann, Recovery-Cognition, 2010).
8. Question: What is tactical periodization? Answer: Integrates technical/tactical with
physical. Rationale: Holistic for team sports; DCO 1.B (Verkhoshansky, 2011).
9. Question: Personal growth in athlete prep? Answer: Life skills and resilience training.
Rationale: Beyond performance; DCO 1.C (Gould et al., Olympic athlete psych skills).
10. Question: Equipment constraints in programming? Answer: Adapt exercises (e.g., bands
for weights). Rationale: Feasibility; DCO 1.B.
11. Question: What is reverse periodization? Answer: Starts high volume, tapers intensity.
Rationale: For endurance peaking; DCO 1.B (Mujika & Padilla, 2000).
12. Question: Sport development dimension? Answer: Skill acquisition across ages.
Rationale: LTAD model; DCO 1.C (Balyi et al., 2013).
13. Question: What is block periodization? Answer: Concentrated loads in short blocks.
Rationale: Superior for elites; DCO 1.B (Issurin, 2008).
14. Question: Psychological monitoring tool? Answer: RESTQ-Sport questionnaire.
Rationale: Recovery-stress balance; DCO 1.C.
, 15. Question: Nutrition timing for training? Answer: Pre/post-workout carbs/protein.
Rationale: Anabolic window; DCO 1.C (Aragon & Schoenfeld, 2013).
16. Question: What is conjugate periodization? Answer: Concurrent max effort, dynamic,
repetition methods. Rationale: Westside Barbell; DCO 1.B.
17. Question: Recovery modality example? Answer: Contrast bath therapy. Rationale:
Vasodilation/constriction; DCO 1.C (Higgins et al., 2017 meta).
18. Question: Athlete history consideration? Answer: Injury past for deloads. Rationale:
Individualization; DCO 1.B.
19. Question: What is nonlinear periodization? Answer: Weekly intensity variation.
Rationale: DUP; DCO 1.B (Rhea, 2002).
20. Question: Interventions in prep? Answer: Plyometrics for power. Rationale: Sport-
specific; DCO 1.C.
21. Question: Location constraint? Answer: Home workouts if no gym. Rationale:
Adaptability; DCO 1.B.
22. Question: Time of year adjustment? Answer: Off-season volume build. Rationale:
Peaking; DCO 1.B.
23. Question: Psychological dimension tool? Answer: CSAI-2 anxiety inventory. Rationale:
Competitive state; DCO 1.C.
