A calf raise is an example of which lever class?

First class, like a seesaw with the axis in the middle

Third class, like most limb movements

Endurance training commonly causes which change in the heart?

A larger left ventricular chamber

No change in heart structure at all, only in the muscles

A faster resting heart rate in most trained athletes

What is the Cori cycle?

Lactate goes to the liver and is turned back into glucose

Glucose is stored as fat in the liver after a high-carbohydrate meal

Fat is turned into protein in muscle

Oxygen is recycled in the lungs

Which hormone signals bones to release calcium when blood calcium is low?

Growth hormone, which supports tissue growth

Which feature is typical of Type I muscle fibers?

High mitochondrial density and myoglobin

Low capillary density and quick fatigue

Large diameter and fast contraction speed

High glycolytic enzyme activity with little aerobic capacity

Which type of training stimulus is most likely to produce the greatest increase in bone mineral density at the loaded sites?

High-magnitude, high-strain-rate loading such as jumping and plyometric drills

High-volume lap swimming performed several times per week

Long-duration, steady-state cycling at a moderate intensity

Daily low-intensity walking at the athlete's habitual pace

CSCS · 25% of the exam

Exercise Science practice questions

10 free Exercise Science questions for the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) exam, each with the correct answer and an explanation for every option.

Start the questions Free 10-question CSCS quiz

What this domain covers

The largest CSCS domain and the core of the Scientific Foundations section: how muscles, nerves, energy systems and hormones work during exercise and how the body adapts to training.

Exam weight: 25%
On a real exam: ≈ 55 questions
In our bank: 151 questions

Topics that come up most

Muscle structure and the sliding filament theory
Bioenergetics: phosphagen, glycolytic and oxidative systems
Neuromuscular and endocrine responses to training
Biomechanics: levers, force, torque and power
Acute and chronic adaptations to resistance and aerobic training

How to study it

Make a table of the three energy systems with their duration, intensity and main fuel; many questions turn on which system dominates a given activity.

Sample Exercise Science questions

Try each one before opening the answer. Original questions written to the official exam objectives.

Question 1
In the musculoskeletal system, ligaments connect:
- ANerve to muscle
- BMuscle to bone
- CBone to bone
- DSkin to bone
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C) Bone to bone
- AIncorrect. That's a neuromuscular junction.
- BIncorrect. That's tendons.
- CCorrect. Tendons connect muscle to bone.
- DIncorrect. That isn't a ligament.
Question 2
The force-velocity curve shows that as contraction velocity increases, concentric force:
- ADecreases
- BIncreases
- CStays constant
- DDoubles
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) Decreases
- ACorrect. Power peaks at intermediate speeds.
- BIncorrect. It decreases.
- CIncorrect. It decreases.
- DIncorrect. It decreases.
Question 3
During a dumbbell lateral raise, which muscle acts as the prime mover for shoulder abduction once the movement is under way?
- ADeltoid
- BLatissimus dorsi
- CPectoralis major
- DBiceps brachii
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) Deltoid
The supraspinatus starts shoulder abduction, and the deltoid (especially the lateral head) is the prime mover through most of the lateral raise. The latissimus dorsi and pectoralis major are adductors and internal rotators.
- ACorrect. The supraspinatus starts abduction (about the first 15°). After that the deltoid, mainly its lateral (middle) portion, is the principal abductor that raises the arm.
- BIncorrect. The latissimus dorsi adducts, extends and internally rotates the humerus, so it opposes abduction rather than producing it.
- CIncorrect. The pectoralis major flexes, adducts (including horizontal adduction) and internally rotates the shoulder. It is not an abductor.
- DIncorrect. The biceps brachii mainly flexes the elbow and supinates the forearm. Its role at the shoulder is minor and it is not the prime mover for abduction.
Question 4
During a biceps curl, the triceps acts as the:
- AAntagonist
- BAgonist
- CSynergist
- DStabilizer only
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) Antagonist
- ACorrect. It opposes elbow flexion.
- BIncorrect. The biceps is the agonist.
- CIncorrect. It opposes the motion.
- DIncorrect. It's the antagonist.
Question 5
A calf raise is an example of which lever class?
- AFirst class, like a seesaw with the axis in the middle
- BSecond class
- CThird class, like most limb movements
- DIt isn't a lever
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B) Second class
- AIncorrect. The axis is at the toes.
- BCorrect. The resistance is between the axis and the effort.
- CIncorrect. Most joints are third class, but not this one.
- DIncorrect. It's a second-class lever.
Question 6
Endurance training commonly causes which change in the heart?
- ANo change in heart structure at all, only in the muscles
- BA smaller heart
- CA faster resting heart rate in most trained athletes
- DA larger left ventricular chamber
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D) A larger left ventricular chamber
- AIncorrect. The heart adapts.
- BIncorrect. It doesn't weaken the heart.
- CIncorrect. Resting HR usually drops.
- DCorrect. This raises stroke volume.
Question 7
What is the Cori cycle?
- AGlucose is stored as fat in the liver after a high-carbohydrate meal
- BFat is turned into protein in muscle
- CLactate goes to the liver and is turned back into glucose
- DOxygen is recycled in the lungs
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C) Lactate goes to the liver and is turned back into glucose
- AIncorrect. That isn't the cycle.
- BIncorrect. That isn't the cycle.
- CCorrect. The glucose can return to muscle.
- DIncorrect. That isn't the cycle.
Question 8
Which hormone signals bones to release calcium when blood calcium is low?
- AParathyroid hormone
- BInsulin
- CGrowth hormone, which supports tissue growth
- DMelatonin
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) Parathyroid hormone
- ACorrect. It helps keep blood calcium stable.
- BIncorrect. It manages glucose.
- CIncorrect. It isn't the main calcium signal.
- DIncorrect. It regulates sleep.
Question 9
Which feature is typical of Type I muscle fibers?
- ALow capillary density and quick fatigue
- BLarge diameter and fast contraction speed
- CHigh mitochondrial density and myoglobin
- DHigh glycolytic enzyme activity with little aerobic capacity
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C) High mitochondrial density and myoglobin
- AIncorrect. That describes Type IIx fibers.
- BIncorrect. That describes Type II fibers.
- CCorrect. They're built for endurance.
- DIncorrect. That's Type II.
Question 10
Which type of training stimulus is most likely to produce the greatest increase in bone mineral density at the loaded sites?
- AHigh-magnitude, high-strain-rate loading such as jumping and plyometric drills
- BHigh-volume lap swimming performed several times per week
- CLong-duration, steady-state cycling at a moderate intensity
- DDaily low-intensity walking at the athlete's habitual pace
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) High-magnitude, high-strain-rate loading such as jumping and plyometric drills
Bone adapts to strain above its habitual level, so high-magnitude, high-strain-rate loading such as jumping, plyometrics and heavy lifting is the most osteogenic. Repetitive low-strain or non-weight-bearing exercise such as swimming and cycling does little for bone mineral density.
- ACorrect. Loads applied at high magnitude and high strain rate in varied directions (for example jumping, plyometrics and heavy resistance training) give a stronger osteogenic signal than repetitive low-strain activity.
- BIncorrect. Swimming is non-weight-bearing and puts little strain on the skeleton. Studies of swimmers show no positive effect on bone mineral density.
- CIncorrect. Cycling is low-impact and largely non-weight-bearing. Most studies link it to neutral or low bone mineral density.
- DIncorrect. Repetitive loading at or below habitual levels is unlikely to exceed the minimal essential strain needed to start new bone formation.

Exercise Science: FAQs

How much of the CSCS exam is Exercise Science?

Exercise Science is 25% of the CSCS exam by the official exam guide's weighting, which on a 220-question form works out to roughly 55 questions. The real exam's exact split varies by form.

What does the Exercise Science domain cover?

The largest CSCS domain and the core of the Scientific Foundations section: how muscles, nerves, energy systems and hormones work during exercise and how the body adapts to training.

How should I study Exercise Science for CSCS?

Make a table of the three energy systems with their duration, intensity and main fuel; many questions turn on which system dominates a given activity.

Where can I practise more Exercise Science questions?

This page has 10 free Exercise Science questions with answers. The ExamWize CSCS question bank has 151 questions in this domain. Every practice exam result breaks your score down by domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.

Get Exercise Science exam-ready

The full CSCS bank has 151 Exercise Science questions. Timed practice exams match the real exam's length and domain weights, every result shows your score per domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.

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Not affiliated with NSCA; questions are original, written from the official exam outline, and never copied from the real exam.