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NSCA CERTIFIED STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
SPECIALIST – CSCS 2025-2026 QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED ANSWERS
Several Athletes Are Complaining Of Continued Fatigue And Difficulty Sleeping Following
Recent Resistance Training Sessions. What Are These Athletes Likely Experiencing?
a. Extreme Muscle Soreness
b. Overtraining Syndrome
c. Overreaching ANSWER:
B. Overtraining Syndrome
EXPLANATION:
Overtraining Syndrome (OTS) Is A "Prolonged Maladaptation" Not Only Of The Athlete, But
Also Of Several Biological, Neurochemical, And Hormonal Regulation Mechanisms. Many
Alternative Terms Have Been Suggested By OTD, Including Burnout, Chronic Overwork,
Staleness, Unexplained Underperformance Syndrome, And Overfatigue. OTS Can Last As Long
As Six Months Or Beyond, And Can Potentially Ruin An Athletic Career.
Essentials Of Strength Training And Conditioning, 4th Edition. Ch 5, Pg 107
Which Of The Following Is Not A Reason For Testing Athletes?
a. For Identifying Areas That Need Improvement
b. For Goal Setting
c. For Choosing A Team Captain ANSWER:
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C. For Choosing A Team Captain
EXPLANATION:
A Test, By Definition, Is A Procedure For Assessing Ability In A Particular Endeavor. Testing
Helps Athletes And Coaches Assess Athletic Talent And Identify Physical Abilities And Areas
In Need Of Improvement. Test Scores Can Be Used In Goal Setting, Where Baseline
Measurements Can Be Used To Establish Starting Points For Setting Goals.
Essentials Of Strength Training And Conditioning, 4th Edition. Ch 12, Pg 250
Which Of The Following Ergogenic Aids Does Not Result In Increase Protein Synthesis?
a. Testosterone
b. Creatine
c. Branched Chain Amino Acids ANSWER:
B. Creatine
EXPLANATION:
Testosterone And Growth Hormone Are Both Anabolic Hormones That Stimulate Protein
Synthesis. Branched Chain Amino Acids (Isoleucine, Leucine, And Valine) Fuel Protein
Synthesis When Ingested Immediately Following Resistance Training.
Creatine Helps To Improve Recovery Between High Intensity Periods Of Activity, But Does Not
Directly Stimulate Protein Synthesis. It Has An Essential Role In Energy Metabolism As A
Substrate For Formation Of ATP, Especially During High-Intensity Exercise.
Essentials Of Strength Training And Conditioning, 4th Edition. Ch 11, Pg 242
Why Do Sedentary ,Healthy Adults Require Dietary Proteins/Amino Acids To Maintain Good
Health?
a. To Maintain Cellular Structure And Function
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b. To Prevent Diseases Such As Cancer
c. To Strengthen Bones ANSWER:
a. To Maintain Cellular Structure And Function
EXPLANATION:
Protein Is The Primary Structural And Functional Component Of Every Cell In The Human
Body. Dietary Proteins Are Used For Growth And Development And To Build And Repair
Cells; They Serve As Enzymes, Transport Carriers, And Hormones.
Therefore, Dietary Protein Is Essential For Maintaining Health, Reproduction, And
Cellular Structure And Function. This Applies To Both Active And Sedentary Individuals.
Essentials Of Strength Training And Conditioning, 4th Edition. Ch 9, Pg 181-182
Which Muscle Is Directly Targeted During The Pec-Deck?
a. Deltoids
b. Pectoralis Major
c. Triceps Brachii ANSWER:
b. Pectoralis Major
EXPLANATION:
In The Pec-Deck Movement, The Idea Is To Create A Long Level Out Of Your Arms, Therefore
Putting More Pressure On The Primary And Secondary Muscles. The Pec- Deck Directly Targets
The Pectoralis Major, And Does So In A Way Different Than A Bench Press Because The
Elbows Are Unlocked Throughout The Whole Range Of Motion. This Length In The Arms
Makes The Movement Much Harder. The Deltoids And Triceps Brachii Are Assistance Muscles,
Working With The Pectoralis Major To Create The Movement.
Essentials Of Strength Training And Conditioning, 4th Edition. Ch 15, Pg 376
Which Of The Following Statements Is True Regarding Golgi Tendon Organs?
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a. They Are Mechanoreceptors Located Within The Musculotendinous Junction That Are
Sensitive To Tension And Rate Of Tension Change
b. They Are Mechanoreceptors Located In Joints Throughout The Fibrous Capsule And
Ligaments That Respond To Joint Position, Movement, And Pressure Change
c. They Are Major Sensory Organs That Are Sensitive To Change In Length And Rate Of
Length Change ANSWER:
a. They Are Mechanoreceptors Located Within The Musculotendinous Junction That Are
Sensitive To Tension And Rate Of Tension Change
EXPLANATION:
Golgitendonorgans (Gtos) Are Activated When The Tendon Attached To An Active Muscle Is
Stretched. As Tension Increases Within A Muscle, Discharge Of The Gtos Increases. They
Inhibit A Motor Neuron When Muscle Tension Increases, And This Inhibition Is Thought To
Provide A Mechanism That Protects Against The Development Of Excessive Tension.
Essentials Of Strength Training And Conditioning, 4th Edition. Ch 1, Pg 12
Which Of The Following Is One Of The Elements That Must Exist For A Strength And
Conditioning Professional To Be Found Negligent?
a. Presence Of An Effect
b. Presence Of Ab Obligation
c. Presence Of A Duty ANSWER:
C. Presence Of A Duty
EXPLANATION:
Negligence Is A Failure To Act As A Reasonable And Prudent Person Would Under Similar
Circumstances. Four Elements Must Exist For Negligence To Be Proven: Presence Of A Duty,
Breach Of Duty, Proximate Cause And Damages. To Be Proven Negligent, The Professional
Must Have Had A Duty To Act And Failed To Do So, Which Is Termed A Breach Of Duty. In
Addition, A Professional Must Act With The Appropriate Level Of Care, And Failure To Do So
NSCA CERTIFIED STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
SPECIALIST – CSCS 2025-2026 QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED ANSWERS
Several Athletes Are Complaining Of Continued Fatigue And Difficulty Sleeping Following
Recent Resistance Training Sessions. What Are These Athletes Likely Experiencing?
a. Extreme Muscle Soreness
b. Overtraining Syndrome
c. Overreaching ANSWER:
B. Overtraining Syndrome
EXPLANATION:
Overtraining Syndrome (OTS) Is A "Prolonged Maladaptation" Not Only Of The Athlete, But
Also Of Several Biological, Neurochemical, And Hormonal Regulation Mechanisms. Many
Alternative Terms Have Been Suggested By OTD, Including Burnout, Chronic Overwork,
Staleness, Unexplained Underperformance Syndrome, And Overfatigue. OTS Can Last As Long
As Six Months Or Beyond, And Can Potentially Ruin An Athletic Career.
Essentials Of Strength Training And Conditioning, 4th Edition. Ch 5, Pg 107
Which Of The Following Is Not A Reason For Testing Athletes?
a. For Identifying Areas That Need Improvement
b. For Goal Setting
c. For Choosing A Team Captain ANSWER:
, Page |2
C. For Choosing A Team Captain
EXPLANATION:
A Test, By Definition, Is A Procedure For Assessing Ability In A Particular Endeavor. Testing
Helps Athletes And Coaches Assess Athletic Talent And Identify Physical Abilities And Areas
In Need Of Improvement. Test Scores Can Be Used In Goal Setting, Where Baseline
Measurements Can Be Used To Establish Starting Points For Setting Goals.
Essentials Of Strength Training And Conditioning, 4th Edition. Ch 12, Pg 250
Which Of The Following Ergogenic Aids Does Not Result In Increase Protein Synthesis?
a. Testosterone
b. Creatine
c. Branched Chain Amino Acids ANSWER:
B. Creatine
EXPLANATION:
Testosterone And Growth Hormone Are Both Anabolic Hormones That Stimulate Protein
Synthesis. Branched Chain Amino Acids (Isoleucine, Leucine, And Valine) Fuel Protein
Synthesis When Ingested Immediately Following Resistance Training.
Creatine Helps To Improve Recovery Between High Intensity Periods Of Activity, But Does Not
Directly Stimulate Protein Synthesis. It Has An Essential Role In Energy Metabolism As A
Substrate For Formation Of ATP, Especially During High-Intensity Exercise.
Essentials Of Strength Training And Conditioning, 4th Edition. Ch 11, Pg 242
Why Do Sedentary ,Healthy Adults Require Dietary Proteins/Amino Acids To Maintain Good
Health?
a. To Maintain Cellular Structure And Function
, Page |3
b. To Prevent Diseases Such As Cancer
c. To Strengthen Bones ANSWER:
a. To Maintain Cellular Structure And Function
EXPLANATION:
Protein Is The Primary Structural And Functional Component Of Every Cell In The Human
Body. Dietary Proteins Are Used For Growth And Development And To Build And Repair
Cells; They Serve As Enzymes, Transport Carriers, And Hormones.
Therefore, Dietary Protein Is Essential For Maintaining Health, Reproduction, And
Cellular Structure And Function. This Applies To Both Active And Sedentary Individuals.
Essentials Of Strength Training And Conditioning, 4th Edition. Ch 9, Pg 181-182
Which Muscle Is Directly Targeted During The Pec-Deck?
a. Deltoids
b. Pectoralis Major
c. Triceps Brachii ANSWER:
b. Pectoralis Major
EXPLANATION:
In The Pec-Deck Movement, The Idea Is To Create A Long Level Out Of Your Arms, Therefore
Putting More Pressure On The Primary And Secondary Muscles. The Pec- Deck Directly Targets
The Pectoralis Major, And Does So In A Way Different Than A Bench Press Because The
Elbows Are Unlocked Throughout The Whole Range Of Motion. This Length In The Arms
Makes The Movement Much Harder. The Deltoids And Triceps Brachii Are Assistance Muscles,
Working With The Pectoralis Major To Create The Movement.
Essentials Of Strength Training And Conditioning, 4th Edition. Ch 15, Pg 376
Which Of The Following Statements Is True Regarding Golgi Tendon Organs?
, Page |4
a. They Are Mechanoreceptors Located Within The Musculotendinous Junction That Are
Sensitive To Tension And Rate Of Tension Change
b. They Are Mechanoreceptors Located In Joints Throughout The Fibrous Capsule And
Ligaments That Respond To Joint Position, Movement, And Pressure Change
c. They Are Major Sensory Organs That Are Sensitive To Change In Length And Rate Of
Length Change ANSWER:
a. They Are Mechanoreceptors Located Within The Musculotendinous Junction That Are
Sensitive To Tension And Rate Of Tension Change
EXPLANATION:
Golgitendonorgans (Gtos) Are Activated When The Tendon Attached To An Active Muscle Is
Stretched. As Tension Increases Within A Muscle, Discharge Of The Gtos Increases. They
Inhibit A Motor Neuron When Muscle Tension Increases, And This Inhibition Is Thought To
Provide A Mechanism That Protects Against The Development Of Excessive Tension.
Essentials Of Strength Training And Conditioning, 4th Edition. Ch 1, Pg 12
Which Of The Following Is One Of The Elements That Must Exist For A Strength And
Conditioning Professional To Be Found Negligent?
a. Presence Of An Effect
b. Presence Of Ab Obligation
c. Presence Of A Duty ANSWER:
C. Presence Of A Duty
EXPLANATION:
Negligence Is A Failure To Act As A Reasonable And Prudent Person Would Under Similar
Circumstances. Four Elements Must Exist For Negligence To Be Proven: Presence Of A Duty,
Breach Of Duty, Proximate Cause And Damages. To Be Proven Negligent, The Professional
Must Have Had A Duty To Act And Failed To Do So, Which Is Termed A Breach Of Duty. In
Addition, A Professional Must Act With The Appropriate Level Of Care, And Failure To Do So
