Free CSSD Practice Questions
Original questions with explanations
These original CSSD practice questions are educational examples designed to exercise reasoning. They are not recalled exam items and do not imply access to live or confidential test content.
Question 1
How many kilocalories per gram does carbohydrate provide?
- A. 2
- B. 4
- C. 7
- D. 9
Answer and explanation
B. 4 Carbohydrate provides approximately 4 kilocalories per gram, as does protein; fat provides approximately 9.
Question 2
What is the principal stored form of carbohydrate in skeletal muscle?
- A. Glycogen
- B. Triglyceride
- C. Creatinine
- D. Lactate
Answer and explanation
A. Glycogen Muscle stores carbohydrate as glycogen, which can be broken down to support exercise energy demands.
Question 3
Which approach is most appropriate when developing a pre-exercise meal plan?
- A. Use one identical meal for every athlete
- B. Individualize timing, amount, tolerance, and event demands
- C. Avoid all carbohydrate
- D. Introduce unfamiliar foods immediately before competition
Answer and explanation
B. Individualize timing, amount, tolerance, and event demands Pre-exercise nutrition should account for the athlete’s gastrointestinal tolerance, preferences, timing, and the demands of the session or event.
Question 4
Why should hydration recommendations be individualized?
- A. Sweat rate and environmental conditions vary
- B. Fluid has no effect on performance
- C. Every athlete loses the same sodium amount
- D. Only body weight determines fluid needs
Answer and explanation
A. Sweat rate and environmental conditions vary Sweat rate, sodium loss, climate, equipment, exercise intensity, and access to fluids differ substantially among athletes.
Question 5
Low energy availability can adversely affect which systems?
- A. Only skeletal muscle
- B. Multiple physiologic systems and performance
- C. Only hydration
- D. Only vision
Answer and explanation
B. Multiple physiologic systems and performance Sustained low energy availability can affect endocrine, bone, immune, cardiovascular, reproductive, and other functions as well as performance.
How to Review Your Results
For every missed item, name the tested concept, explain why the correct option is best, and identify the clue that rules out each distractor. Then review the corresponding official content domain.