NSCA-CSCS EXAM PREP: EXERCISE
SCIENCE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
During the concentric phase of the low bar back squat, which of the following muscles
acts as an antagonist to the gluteus maximus?
a. quadriceps
b. hamstrings
c. psoas major - Correct Answers -c
Which of the following muscle groups and types of muscle actions are associated with
the downward phase of the dumbbell biceps curl?
a. Primary group- elbow extensors, Primary action- eccentric
b. Primary group- elbow flexors, Primary action- eccentric
c. elbow flexors- concentric - Correct Answers -b
Which of the following rest periods is most appropriate for a middle distance runner
performing 800m running intervals in 2 min?
a. 2 min
b. 4 min
c. 6 min - Correct Answers -c
As compared to males, the potential for force production of females per muscle cross-
sectional area is
a. lower
b. similar
c. higher - Correct Answers -b
Which of the following cardiovascular adaptations to chronic aerobic exercise
contributes the most to improved aerobic endurance performance?
a. increased maximal cardiac output
b. decreased resting BP
c. lowered resting HR - Correct Answers -a
Which of the following events occurs in the hamstring muscles during the concentric
muscle action of leg (knee) curl exercise?
a. the A band length increases
b. the I band length stays the same
c. the H zone length decreases - Correct Answers -c
Depletion of which of the following fuel sources hinders marathon performance most?
a. muscle glycogen
, b. triglycerides
c. creatine phosphate - Correct Answers -a
Which of the following situations would most inspire an athlete with a high motive to
achieve success?
a. a very easy competition in which the probability of success is virtually guaranteed
b. a challenging situation in which the probability of success to failure is even
c. an extremely difficult situation in which the probability of success is highly unlikely -
Correct Answers -b
Which of the following is a characteristic of Type II muscle fibers?
a. slow contraction speed
b. small fiber diameter
c. high power output - Correct Answers -c
Which of the following relies predominantly on the phosphagen energy system?
a. 200m swim
b. 3k race
c. 5RM push press - Correct Answers -c
Which of the following muscle actions produces the greatest amount of muscle force?
a. eccentric
b. isometric
c. concentric - Correct Answers -a
During a single exercise, which of the following training variables should be decreased
to produce a greater ATP production capacity?
a. duration
b. intensity
c. rest - Correct Answers -b
A high school junior 1600m runner has been aerobically training for 2 years. She
improves her performance time throughout the course of her first season on the team.
Which of the following is primarily responsible for her performance increases?
a. decrease in lean body mass
b. improvement in VO2max
c. increase in running economy - Correct Answers -b
Which of the following exercises increases axial bone mineral density most?
a. seated leg press
b. barbell shoulder press
c. dumbbell chest press - Correct Answers -b
Which of the following exercises is an example of a first-class lever?
a. triceps pushdown
b. lateral raise
SCIENCE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
During the concentric phase of the low bar back squat, which of the following muscles
acts as an antagonist to the gluteus maximus?
a. quadriceps
b. hamstrings
c. psoas major - Correct Answers -c
Which of the following muscle groups and types of muscle actions are associated with
the downward phase of the dumbbell biceps curl?
a. Primary group- elbow extensors, Primary action- eccentric
b. Primary group- elbow flexors, Primary action- eccentric
c. elbow flexors- concentric - Correct Answers -b
Which of the following rest periods is most appropriate for a middle distance runner
performing 800m running intervals in 2 min?
a. 2 min
b. 4 min
c. 6 min - Correct Answers -c
As compared to males, the potential for force production of females per muscle cross-
sectional area is
a. lower
b. similar
c. higher - Correct Answers -b
Which of the following cardiovascular adaptations to chronic aerobic exercise
contributes the most to improved aerobic endurance performance?
a. increased maximal cardiac output
b. decreased resting BP
c. lowered resting HR - Correct Answers -a
Which of the following events occurs in the hamstring muscles during the concentric
muscle action of leg (knee) curl exercise?
a. the A band length increases
b. the I band length stays the same
c. the H zone length decreases - Correct Answers -c
Depletion of which of the following fuel sources hinders marathon performance most?
a. muscle glycogen
, b. triglycerides
c. creatine phosphate - Correct Answers -a
Which of the following situations would most inspire an athlete with a high motive to
achieve success?
a. a very easy competition in which the probability of success is virtually guaranteed
b. a challenging situation in which the probability of success to failure is even
c. an extremely difficult situation in which the probability of success is highly unlikely -
Correct Answers -b
Which of the following is a characteristic of Type II muscle fibers?
a. slow contraction speed
b. small fiber diameter
c. high power output - Correct Answers -c
Which of the following relies predominantly on the phosphagen energy system?
a. 200m swim
b. 3k race
c. 5RM push press - Correct Answers -c
Which of the following muscle actions produces the greatest amount of muscle force?
a. eccentric
b. isometric
c. concentric - Correct Answers -a
During a single exercise, which of the following training variables should be decreased
to produce a greater ATP production capacity?
a. duration
b. intensity
c. rest - Correct Answers -b
A high school junior 1600m runner has been aerobically training for 2 years. She
improves her performance time throughout the course of her first season on the team.
Which of the following is primarily responsible for her performance increases?
a. decrease in lean body mass
b. improvement in VO2max
c. increase in running economy - Correct Answers -b
Which of the following exercises increases axial bone mineral density most?
a. seated leg press
b. barbell shoulder press
c. dumbbell chest press - Correct Answers -b
Which of the following exercises is an example of a first-class lever?
a. triceps pushdown
b. lateral raise
