General Principles of Sports Medicine
Core physiology and biomechanics
Understand the ATP-PCr, glycolytic, and oxidative systems and how intensity/duration select the dominant pathway; questions often ask which system fuels a 10-second sprint versus a 2-hour event. Know VO2max determinants, lactate threshold, and the physiology of detraining and tapering. In biomechanics, grasp lever classes, force-velocity relationships, eccentric versus concentric loading, and how altered kinematics (e.g., dynamic valgus) predispose to injury.
Pharmacology and nutrition
Know that beta-blockers blunt heart rate and can mask exercise capacity; stimulants raise heat and cardiac risk; NSAIDs do not impair healing but carry renal/GI risk with dehydration. Understand carbohydrate loading, protein needs (~1.2-2.0 g/kg), hydration and sodium replacement, iron and vitamin D deficiencies, and the female athlete triad/RED-S. WADA prohibited classes and therapeutic use exemptions are common test items.
Preparticipation evaluation
Focus on the history: syncope, exertional chest pain, family sudden death, Marfan features, and prior concussion. The PPE is not a substitute for a screening ECG in asymptomatic athletes under most guidelines.
Traps and rule of thumb
Questions blur "training effect" with "detraining" and confuse anaerobic capacity with aerobic power. Rule of thumb: match the fuel system to the event duration-PCr (<10 s), glycolysis (10 s-2 min), oxidative (>2 min)-and match the PPE finding to the action it mandates (positive cardiac history = cardiology referral before clearance).