CSCS-Organization and Administration
What is the minimum space recommended per participant in a strength and conditioning facility?
100 square feet
When placing a wheelchair ramp at your strength and conditioning facility, how many inches should the ramp run horizontally for every 1-inch rise?
12 inches
What is the recommended ceiling height in a facility where athletes will perform plyometric training and Olympic lifting?
12-14 feet The height of the ceiling in a strength and conditioning facility needs to be high enough to allow athletes to jump and to perform overhead lifting movements safely. It is important to account for an athlete's height plus enough room for that athlete to perform movements like box jumps and overhead lifts, such as the push press. A 9- to 10-foot ceiling could be high enough for some athletes, but a taller athlete might have some difficulty at that height. Higher ceilings are certainly acceptable (including a 15- to 20-foot ceiling), but a 12- to 14-foot ceiling should be sufficient for these movements and is, therefore, the recommended height for a strength and conditioning facility.
If there are three teams of 20 athletes all scheduled to be in a collegiate weight room at the same time, what is the minimumnumber of strength and conditioning professionals that should be present for instruction and supervision?
3 Supervision is essential to athlete safety, and is often called into question during court cases that involve athletic injuries. Proper supervision relies on scheduling the right number of staff members based on the age, training experience, and the number of participants. In addition, performance improvements have been shown to be greater with increased supervision. In a collegiate setting, where athletes generally have more experience, there should be at least one qualified staff member for every 20 athletes. Therefore, there should be at least three staff members available and working with the 60 athletes that are training at the same time. For younger groups, more supervision is necessary. When supervising junior high aged participants, the recommended ratio is one professional for every 10 athletes, and for those of high school age, there should be one professional for every 15 participants.
How far apart should racks and platforms be from each other?
3 to 4 feet
In a facility that will utilize spotters, how much room should be provided between racks to allow sufficient space for spotting?
3 to 4 feet
When designing a strength and conditioning facility, how much space needs to be allotted between the ends of the bars at adjacent free weight stations?
36 inches
For safety reasons, what should be the minimum width for walkways between equipment?
36 inches (91 cm)
How much space should be designated for stretching and warm-up drills within a strength and conditioning facility?
49 square feet (4.6 square meters)
The design team for a new 4800 square foot strength and conditioning facility has decided to include fans to help with circulation. Which of the following would be the minimumnumber of fans recommended for a facility of this size?
8 It is important to plan for appropriate circulation in a strength and conditioning facility. Fans can be used in conjunction with appropriate HVAC and air exchange systems. There should be 2 to 4 fans per 1200 square feet. Therefore, in a 4800 square foot facility, there should be between 8 and 16 fans. Twelve fans would be acceptable for this facility, but the minimum number of fans is eight.
What is considered the ideal temperature for a strength and conditioning facility?
:72 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit The temperature in a strength and conditioning facility should be comfortable. A facility that is too hot or too cold can impact athlete performance. A range of 68 to 78 degrees is generally acceptable, and many sources agree that 72 to 78 degrees is optimal
What staff member is responsible for overseeing the entire program, the facility, its staff and equipment, and for administrative duties such as budget and proposal preparation and purchase of equipment?
A strength and conditioning director
What is the best flooring option for Olympic platforms for performing weightlifting exercises such as the clean and the snatch?
A wood center with rubber on the sides The most ideal flooring for a weightlifting platform includes a center portion made of wood, where the athlete will stand to perform their lifts, and rubber sections on the sides, where the weights on the bar will touch the ground. The wood provides a safe lifting surface that helps prevent shoes from getting caught while lifting, and the rubber protects both the floor and the equipment from damage. Rubber flooring options can be acceptable for weightlifting movements, but a wood and rubber platform is the most ideal flooring option for these types of exercises.
When designing a strength and conditioning facility, where are the tallest pieces of equipment most effectively placed?
Against the walls
A strength and conditioning coach is trying to decrease their exposure to liability within their setting. Which of the following practices will not aid them in this goal?
Allow team captains to supervise athletes when strength coaches are not available
Willingly participating in a strength and conditioning program always involves which of the following for athletes?
Assumption of risk
How should the weightlifting racks be secured to increase safety?
Bolt the rack to the floor
In what manner should a strength and conditioning facility be organized in order to achieve functionality and the best appearance?
By equipment type When designing the floor plan for a strength and conditioning facility, it is important to consider traffic flow patterns, how equipment will be used, and how much space is necessary surrounding each piece of equipment in order to maximize space and function. Placing equipment into groups can help create specific training areas within the facility. This might include specific areas such as: Stretching area Free weight area with DBs, benches, etc. Agility and plyometric area Cardio machines Resistance machines Visibility is also an important consideration, and therefore, equipment should be laid out in a way that does not prevent the strength and conditioning coach from safely monitoring athlete training sessions.
Aside from a strength and conditioning certification, what other education or certification is necessary for a strength and conditioning professional to acquire and maintain for athlete safety?
CPR, first aid, and AED
Which of the following statements about the design phase is false?
Development of the master plan is one of the steps in the design phase The design phase occurs between the predesign phase and the construction phase when building a new facility. During the design phase, committee members are finalized, as are facility blueprints. Equipment specifications are included in the project design, and the facility is designed to provide for efficient traffic flow. Development of the master plan is done during the predesign phase. The master plan serves as the general plan for all phases of the new facility. This includes the budget and construction plan, facility design, budget information, and an operational plan to act on once the facility is actually complete.
Legally, which of the following does an athlete not need to do before beginning a strength and conditioning program?
Discuss training goals with coaches
If an athlete has previously received both a verbal warning and a one-day dismissal from the facility, what might be an appropriate disciplinary action if the offense is repeated?
Dismissal from the facility for one week, documentation of the offense by the staff member, and notification of the athlete's sport coach Discipline ensures that athletes follow facility rules. When rules are broken, there should be progressive levels of discipline. An example progression of escalation is as follows: - First offense: A verbal warning- Second offense: Dismissal from facility for one day, documentation of the offense and disciplinary action, as well as communicating with the athlete's sport coach regarding their behavior- Third offense: Dismissal from facility for one week, documentation of the offense and corresponding disciplinary action, as well as communicating with the athlete's sport coach regarding their behavior - Fourth offense: Dismissal from facility the remainder of the year, documentation of the offense and corresponding disciplinary action, as well as communicating with the athlete's sport coach and the Athletic Director- Fifth offense: Permanent dismissal from facility, documentation of the offense and corresponding disciplinary action, as well as communicating with the athlete's sport coach and the Athletic Director
Which of the following is not one of the four principal roles of an emergency team?
Document the event in an injury report Although documentation of an emergency or injury is important, it is not included as one of the primary roles in providing care in the event of an injury. The four roles are: Providing immediate care Retrieving on-site emergency equipment, such as an AED Activating the EMS Establishing a clear route for EMS to access the facility and the injured individual These roles should be determined in advance, as this helps ensure that necessary medical care is provided as quickly as possible. Details should be outlined in a facility's Emergency Action Plan.
Which of the following is a written document detailing the appropriate procedures for injury care?
Emergency action plan Safety is always the first priority when an emergency occurs. A documented response plan helps ensure a standard of care. This response plan is called the emergency action plan. This plan should be clearly posted and practiced on a quarterly basis. In addition, all strength and conditioning professionals must know the plan and keep their first aid and CPR certification current. An emergency plan should include: EMS activation procedure Contact information Facility address Locations of telephones, exits, emergency supplies, and the first aid kit Identification of which individuals are qualified to provide injury care Where an ambulance can access the facility Specific plans of action for events such as natural disasters, crime, or life-threatening injury
Which of the following is outside the scope of practice of a strength and conditioning professional?
Evaluation and treatment of injury
When planning and designing a new strength and conditioning facility, which is the first step that should be completed?
Forming a committee of professionals who represent various areas of expertise It is important to have a group of individuals with specific expertise to work through all the phases of designing, constructing, and opening a new facility, including evaluating the economic considerations. Such a committee should include: An architect Building contractors An attorney Instructors or coaches who will use the facility Administrators
Your facility is 55-feet in length. What is the maximum number of Olympic lifting platforms that can be placed side by side along the wall?
Four Olympic platforms are typically eight feet wide, and four feet of walking space is required between each platform. A general rule is one Olympic platform for every twelve feet of linear space. Calculation of space needed for Olympic platforms: Lifting platform height (typically 8 ft) + a perimeter walkway safety space cushion of 4 ft x lifting platform width (typically 8 ft) + perimeter walkway safety space cushion of 4 ft = 144 square feet
An outside group is interested in using the strength and conditioning facility. Which of the following is not required for the group to provide prior to use?
Health history of participants
If an athlete has very red skin, stops sweating during a training session, and is experiencing cramps and nausea, what condition could this indicate?
Heatstroke This athlete could be experiencing heatstroke or heat exhaustion. These are dangerous conditions and require immediate medical attention. Other symptoms might include: dizziness muscle weakness slurred speech goosebumps Athletes training in the heat and/or humidity need to be monitored to prevent this from occurring when possible, and it is vital to respond quickly when it does.
Which process should occur before an individual signs a release form or waiver?
Informed consent
Which of the following must be obtained before beginning any strength and conditioning program?
Medical clearance
Which of the following would not be included in a comprehensive emergency action plan?
Medical records of all athletes An emergency action plan (EAP) is a written document that provides detailed information on what to do in the case of an emergency, including caring for injuries. EAPs typically include: - Emergency Medical Services activation procedures- Names and numbers of primary, secondary, and tertiary individuals to contact- Specific address of the strength and conditioning facility- Locations of the telephones- Locations of the nearest exits- Designated personnel qualified to care for injuries- Ambulance access- Location of emergency supplies and first aid kit- Plan of action in case of fire, tornado, life-threatening injury, crime, terrorism, and so forth
Stress fractures and tendinitis are examples of what type of injury?
Microtrauma
Which of the following considerations is the most important when adding mirrors to a strength and conditioning facility?
Mirrors must not be within 20 inches of the floor Mirrors in a strength and conditioning facility are useful for coaching instruction, allowing athletes to watch, monitor, and correct their form. They can also enhance the room's aesthetic appeal. Guidelines for safety include: Mirrors should be placed at least 6 inches away from any equipment Mirrors should be a minimum of 20 inches above the floor to ensure that they cannot be broken by rolling equipment
The completion of which of the following is the first step when designing a new facility?
Needs analysis Construction of a new facility starts with a predesign phase, and the first step in the predesign phase is to create a needs analysis. This is the step in which the designers and experts collaborate and determine the needs of the athletic program with respect to considerations such as required space and how the facility will be used. A feasibility study is conducted as the second step in the predesign phase and includes things such as a SWOT analysis to determine if the facility is a feasible option. Once the predesign phase is complete, the next step is to move into the design phase, during which the blueprints and design for the facility are created.
What is the difference between policies and procedures?
Policies are a facility's rules and regulations, and procedures describe the ways in which those policies are implemented
Which of the following is not absolutely necessary for a member of the strength and conditioning staff?
Post-secondary degree Strength and conditioning professionals need a certification from an independently accredited organization, such as the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification, and must maintain the certification through continuing education credits.
Which of the following is not typically included in the orientation meeting?
Pre-participation screening
What is the order of the four phases involved in designing a new strength and conditioning facility?
Predesign phase, design phase, construction phase, preoperation phase Predesign phase: development of a master plan (budget, design, operation plan, etc.) based on the needs analysis and feasibility study Design phase: committee's ideas come together for structure and design Construction phase: period from beginning to end of construction Preoperation phase: finish of interior design, hiring staff, establishing policies & procedures, or any other last steps that need to be completed before opening
During which phase of building a new facility should staff be finalizing interior decor?
Preoperation There are many phases of building a new strength and conditioning facility. Selecting interior decor should occur after the construction phase and before the facility opens. This phase is referred to as the preoperation phase. This phase is also when staff might be hired and procedures and schedules for cleaning, administrative duties, and maintenance might be determined. Essentially, any final things that need to be in place before the facility opens will occur in the preoperation phase.
Which of the following is one of the elements that must exist for a strength and conditioning professional to be found negligent?
Presence of a duty to act
A strength and conditioning department has a mandate to educate all athletes on the importance of good nutrition and its effect on health and performance. Which of the following does this statement describe?
Program objective
The following statement is a good example of what aspect of a program? "To design and administer strength, flexibility, aerobic, plyometric, and other training programs that reduce injury risk and enhance athletic performance"
Program objective A mission statement is the statement of purpose, defining the general reasons why the organization exists without providing specific means to achieve it. Program goals are more specific desired outcomes. Program objectives are the specific means of achieving the program goals and therefore support the mission statement.
Which of the following is not a responsibility of the director of strength and conditioning?
Provide individualized nutritional counseling and diet planning for athletes In addition to designing and implementing safe and effective strength and conditioning programs, a director of strength and conditioning will have various other duties depending on the organization. These additional responsibilities may include things such as overseeing other staff, developing policies and procedures for the strength and conditioning facility, creating budgets and proposals, serving on committees, and working with the administration. While strength and conditioning staff members may be able to provide general information about nutrition, individualized programs and counseling need to be provided by a sports dietician or other qualified nutritional professional.
A 16-year-old football athlete has been training with a strength and conditioning professional for two years. He has decided he wants to take creatine and asks which brand of creatine he should take. What should the strength and conditioning professional do?
Refer the athlete to a qualified sports nutritionist or dietician Strength and conditioning professionals need to be careful when asked for advice on nutritional supplements. It might be acceptable to recommend a supplement that is both legal and has been proven to be beneficial. However, although creatine is an example of such a supplement, supplement and nutritional recommendations should never be provided for individuals under the age of 18.
Maintaining a professional strength and conditioning certification through continuing education helps with what aspect of legal liability?
Risk management
What does the following statement describe? "The implementation of procedures to identify and reduce athlete injury risk during participation and therefore decrease liability exposure."
Risk management
Instructing all athletes on proper spotting and exercise technique will likely decrease which of the following?
Risk of liability exposure
In the event of a tornado or other severe weather, what should be the most important concern of the strength and conditioning staff?
Safety
A college is designing a new strength and conditioning facility. What factors are most important to consider when deciding on equipment placement?
Safety and function
The legal guidelines that define acceptable duties for a strength and conditioning professional are known as:
Scope of practice A professional scope of practice describes an individual's duties, procedures, and actions that are legally permitted based on their professional certification, education, training, and experience
Which of the following groups or individuals are typically allowed the use of a strength and conditioning facility at an institution?
Students in physical education classes
A safe and effective staff-to-athlete ratio is primarily based on which factor?
The age and experience of the athletes
A strength training session with 45 high-school-aged athletes should contain how many strength and conditioning professionals at a minimum?
Three At the high school level, a strength and conditioning professional should be present for every 15 athletes within a group: 1 to 15 high school athletes requires at least one strength and conditioning professional. 16 to 30 high school athletes requires at least two strength and conditioning professionals. 31 to 45 high school athletes requires at least three strength and conditioning professionals. At the junior high level, this minimum lowers to ten athletes and jumps to twenty athletes at the collegiate level.
What is the primary task of a feasibility study when designing a new weight room?
To analyze strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats The analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis) is the primary task of a feasibility study. This includes evaluation of things such as the financial investment and returns, facility location, the type of programs that would be of interest to each athletic group, efficiency, and projected usage of the facility. Overall, the SWOT analysis helps determine the projected success of the proposed facility.
What is the most fundamental goal of a strength and conditioning facility?
To improve performance and increase injury resistance
In terms of liability, what is the legal responsibility of strength and conditioning professionals to the athletes they serve?
To prevent injury and take action when an injury occurs
Which of the following pieces of aerobic equipment requires the largest amount of floor space?
Treadmill
When assessing athletic program needs, the strength and conditioning professional does not need to consider which of the following?
Variety of equipment provided for the athletes When assessing existing facility equipment, the strength and conditioning professional should consider the following: How many athletes will be using the facility? What are the training goals for the athletes, coaches, and administration? What are the demographics of the athletes? What will the training experience of the athletes be? How will the athletes be scheduled? What equipment needs to be repaired or modified?
