NSCA CPSS Exam 2025/2026 –
Certified Performance and Sport
Scientist Practice Questions | Latest
Update | Verified Q&A | A+ Grade
This 2025 NSCA Certified Performance and Sport Scientist (CPSS) exam practice includes 130
verified questions covering scientific foundations, assessment/testing/evaluation, program
design, organizational/performance dynamics, and ethical/professional issues. Questions are
multiple-choice with four options, the correct answer in RED, and concise rationales with key
concepts for A+.
Question 1: What is the primary role of a sport scientist in athlete monitoring?
A. Coaching drills
B. Collecting and analyzing data to optimize performance
C. Managing team logistics
D. Designing equipment
Correct Answer: B. Collecting and analyzing data to optimize performance
Rationale: Sport scientists use data from testing to inform training adjustments. Key concept:
Evidence-based decision-making.
Question 2: Which physiological system is most impacted by high-intensity interval
training (HIIT)?
A. Muscular endurance
B. Aerobic capacity (VO2 max)
C. Flexibility
D. Balance
Correct Answer: B. Aerobic capacity (VO2 max)
Rationale: HIIT improves VO2 max through repeated high-effort bouts. Key concept:
Cardiovascular adaptations.
Question 3: What is the gold standard for measuring body composition in athletes?
A. BMI
,B. Skinfold calipers
C. DEXA scan
D. Bioelectrical impedance
Correct Answer: C. DEXA scan
Rationale: DEXA provides accurate bone, fat, and lean mass measurements. Key concept: Gold
standard accuracy.
Question 4: In periodization, what is the macrocycle?
A. Weekly plan
B. Annual training plan
C. Daily workout
D. Monthly phase
Correct Answer: B. Annual training plan
Rationale: Macrocycle encompasses the entire season or year. Key concept: Long-term
structure.
Question 5: What does HRV stand for in athlete monitoring?
A. Heart Rate Variability
B. High-Repetition Volume
C. Hormonal Response Variation
D. Hydration Rate Value
Correct Answer: A. Heart Rate Variability
Rationale: HRV measures autonomic nervous system balance for recovery assessment. Key
concept: Recovery indicator.
Question 6: Which test measures anaerobic power?
A. VO2 max test
B. Wingate anaerobic test
C. 1RM bench press
D. Yo-Yo intermittent test
Correct Answer: B. Wingate anaerobic test
Rationale: 30-second all-out cycle test for peak power and capacity. Key concept: Anaerobic
fitness.
Question 7: What is the purpose of a needs analysis in program design?
A. Set equipment budget
B. Identify sport-specific demands and athlete weaknesses
C. Schedule training sessions
, D. Choose team uniforms
Correct Answer: B. Identify sport-specific demands and athlete weaknesses
Rationale: Tailors training to sport requirements. Key concept: Individualization.
Question 8: In sports nutrition, what is the recommended carbohydrate intake for
endurance athletes during training?
A. 3-5 g/kg/day
B. 6-10 g/kg/day
C. 1-2 g/kg/day
D. 12-15 g/kg/day
Correct Answer: B. 6-10 g/kg/day
Rationale: Supports glycogen stores for prolonged activity. Key concept: Fueling endurance.
Question 9: What is overtraining syndrome?
A. Under-recovery leading to performance decline
B. Optimal training load
C. Injury from poor form
D. Diet deficiency
Correct Answer: A. Under-recovery leading to performance decline
Rationale: Chronic fatigue, mood changes from imbalance. Key concept: Recovery monitoring.
Question 10: Which is a key component of the NSCA CPSS domain of scientific
foundations?
A. Budgeting
B. Exercise physiology and biomechanics
C. Marketing
D. Facility design
Correct Answer: B. Exercise physiology and biomechanics
Rationale: Underpins performance training. Key concept: Domain 1.
Question 11: What is the role of GPS in sport science?
A. Weather tracking
B. Tracking player movement and workload
C. Heart rate monitoring
D. Nutrition logging
Correct Answer: B. Tracking player movement and workload
Rationale: Measures distance, speed, accelerations. Key concept: GPS metrics.
Certified Performance and Sport
Scientist Practice Questions | Latest
Update | Verified Q&A | A+ Grade
This 2025 NSCA Certified Performance and Sport Scientist (CPSS) exam practice includes 130
verified questions covering scientific foundations, assessment/testing/evaluation, program
design, organizational/performance dynamics, and ethical/professional issues. Questions are
multiple-choice with four options, the correct answer in RED, and concise rationales with key
concepts for A+.
Question 1: What is the primary role of a sport scientist in athlete monitoring?
A. Coaching drills
B. Collecting and analyzing data to optimize performance
C. Managing team logistics
D. Designing equipment
Correct Answer: B. Collecting and analyzing data to optimize performance
Rationale: Sport scientists use data from testing to inform training adjustments. Key concept:
Evidence-based decision-making.
Question 2: Which physiological system is most impacted by high-intensity interval
training (HIIT)?
A. Muscular endurance
B. Aerobic capacity (VO2 max)
C. Flexibility
D. Balance
Correct Answer: B. Aerobic capacity (VO2 max)
Rationale: HIIT improves VO2 max through repeated high-effort bouts. Key concept:
Cardiovascular adaptations.
Question 3: What is the gold standard for measuring body composition in athletes?
A. BMI
,B. Skinfold calipers
C. DEXA scan
D. Bioelectrical impedance
Correct Answer: C. DEXA scan
Rationale: DEXA provides accurate bone, fat, and lean mass measurements. Key concept: Gold
standard accuracy.
Question 4: In periodization, what is the macrocycle?
A. Weekly plan
B. Annual training plan
C. Daily workout
D. Monthly phase
Correct Answer: B. Annual training plan
Rationale: Macrocycle encompasses the entire season or year. Key concept: Long-term
structure.
Question 5: What does HRV stand for in athlete monitoring?
A. Heart Rate Variability
B. High-Repetition Volume
C. Hormonal Response Variation
D. Hydration Rate Value
Correct Answer: A. Heart Rate Variability
Rationale: HRV measures autonomic nervous system balance for recovery assessment. Key
concept: Recovery indicator.
Question 6: Which test measures anaerobic power?
A. VO2 max test
B. Wingate anaerobic test
C. 1RM bench press
D. Yo-Yo intermittent test
Correct Answer: B. Wingate anaerobic test
Rationale: 30-second all-out cycle test for peak power and capacity. Key concept: Anaerobic
fitness.
Question 7: What is the purpose of a needs analysis in program design?
A. Set equipment budget
B. Identify sport-specific demands and athlete weaknesses
C. Schedule training sessions
, D. Choose team uniforms
Correct Answer: B. Identify sport-specific demands and athlete weaknesses
Rationale: Tailors training to sport requirements. Key concept: Individualization.
Question 8: In sports nutrition, what is the recommended carbohydrate intake for
endurance athletes during training?
A. 3-5 g/kg/day
B. 6-10 g/kg/day
C. 1-2 g/kg/day
D. 12-15 g/kg/day
Correct Answer: B. 6-10 g/kg/day
Rationale: Supports glycogen stores for prolonged activity. Key concept: Fueling endurance.
Question 9: What is overtraining syndrome?
A. Under-recovery leading to performance decline
B. Optimal training load
C. Injury from poor form
D. Diet deficiency
Correct Answer: A. Under-recovery leading to performance decline
Rationale: Chronic fatigue, mood changes from imbalance. Key concept: Recovery monitoring.
Question 10: Which is a key component of the NSCA CPSS domain of scientific
foundations?
A. Budgeting
B. Exercise physiology and biomechanics
C. Marketing
D. Facility design
Correct Answer: B. Exercise physiology and biomechanics
Rationale: Underpins performance training. Key concept: Domain 1.
Question 11: What is the role of GPS in sport science?
A. Weather tracking
B. Tracking player movement and workload
C. Heart rate monitoring
D. Nutrition logging
Correct Answer: B. Tracking player movement and workload
Rationale: Measures distance, speed, accelerations. Key concept: GPS metrics.
