NSCA-CPSS study guide
NSCA-CPSS · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The NSCA Certified Performance & Sport Scientist (CPSS) is an advanced certification for professionals who use scientific, data-driven methods to optimize athlete performance, recovery, and injury risk reduction. Launched in 2021 as the first stateside sport science certification, the CPSS is designed for sport scientists, tactical performance leaders, and practitioners working in high-performance sports, tactical units, or research settings. The exam covers scientific disciplines, technology assessment, scientific research processes, and needs analysis, program design, and context-specific adaptation. Eligibility requires meeting one of three educational and professional pathways and holding a current CPR/AED certification. Topics on this exam: Scientific disciplines, Technology assessment, Scientific research processes, and Needs analysis, program design, and context-specific adaptation. The NSCA-CPSS study guide has 4 sections and about 1,015 words.
01Scientific disciplines
This domain tests integration of exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor control and learning, nutrition, and sport psychology into applied sport-science decisions. Expect items that ask for the most defensible interpretation, not isolated definitions. Physiology: read VO2max, lactate threshold, movement economy, and substrate use against event duration and intensity; a high value is not automatically performance-limiting. Biomechanics: connect kinematics (joint angles, segment velocities) and kinetics (ground reaction force, impulse, rate of force development) to force-velocity qualities and tissue load.
266 words, about 1 min02Technology assessment
This domain tests whether you can judge athlete-monitoring and performance technology by its measurement properties and fit for purpose. The exam favors evidence over manufacturer claims. Validity: criterion validity against a reference (e.g., timing gates, force plate), convergent validity across devices, and construct validity for the intended construct. Reliability: test-retest, intra- and inter-rater reliability; report typical error and coefficient of variation (CV).
252 words, about 1 min03Scientific research processes
This domain tests evidence-based practice: formulating answerable questions, appraising studies, and applying findings without overreach. Use a focused question (population, intervention, comparator, outcome) to search efficiently. Rank evidence by design and risk of bias; randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews generally outrank uncontrolled case reports for causal claims. Read effect sizes and confidence intervals alongside p-values; statistical significance is not practical importance.
248 words, about 1 min04Needs analysis, program design, and context-specific adaptation
This domain tests a systematic path from sport demands to an individualized, periodized plan that survives real-world constraints. Needs analysis has three parts: sport/task demands, athlete profile, and gap analysis. Use competition analysis, testing, and coach input. Program design applies overload, specificity, individualization, and recovery; periodize across the competition calendar.
249 words, about 1 min