Exam 1: ACSM Certified Personal Trainer

Question 1

Which chamber of the heart is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the body?

A) Right ventricle
B) Left ventricle
C) Right atrium
D) Left atrium

Answer 1

B

Question 2

The changes in muscle size associated with long-term resistance training is most likely due to increases in _____.

A) Muscle fiber cross-sectional diameter.
B) Muscle fiber number.
C) Connective tissue thickness.
D) Hydration state of the muscle.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

What muscle action will most likely induce delayed onset muscle soreness?

A) Concentric
B) Eccentric
C) Isometric
D) Isotonic

Answer 3

B

Question 4

What is the primary muscle group involved in trunk flexion while standing during the eccentric phase of the movement?

A) Iliopsoas
B) Rectus Abdominis
C) Erector Spinae
D) Biceps Femoris

Question 5

What respiratory muscles can cause forceful expiration?

A) External intercostals
B) Pectoralis minor
C) Sternocleidomastoid
D) Internal intercostals

Question 6

What is the typical resting blood pressure response to long term aerobic exercise in a hypertensive individual?

A) Both systolic and diastolic pressures will increase.
B) Both systolic and diastolic pressures will decrease.
C) Systolic will increase, while diastolic will remain unchanged.
D) Systolic will decrease, while diastolic will remain unchanged.

Question 7

What is the fundamental unit of muscle contraction?

A) Myofibril
B) Sarcomere
C) Myosin
D) Sarcolemma

Question 8

Adenosine triphosphate production via "anaerobic" glycolysis is associated with the significant formation of what by-product?

A) Pyruvic Acid
B) Phosphoric Acid
C) Citric Acid
D) Lactic Acid

Question 9

What is the natural curve in the lumbar region of the spine?

A) Kyphotic curve
B) Scoliotic curve
C) Lordotic curve
D) Myotic curve

Question 10

What is the function of the tricuspid valve?

A) It acts as a pacemaker.
B) To pump blood through the heart.
C) Prevents backflow of blood to the left atrium.
D) Prevents backflow of blood to the right atrium.

Question 11

What occurs to a muscle during the eccentric movement phase of an exercise?

A) Shortens while contracting
B) Shortens while relaxing
C) Lengthens while relaxing
D) Lengthens while contracting

Question 12

What feature is unique to skeletal muscle as compared to cardiac muscle?

A) Absence of striations
B) Presence of branching
C) Requires nervous system stimulation
D) Presence of intercalated disks

Question 13

What two muscles, along with the supraspinatus and infraspinatus, make up the rotator cuff?

A) Teres minor and scalenus
B) Teres minor and subscapularis
C) Teres major and scalenus
D) Teres major and subscapularis

Question 14

Which cardiovascular training approach, if repeated frequently, is most likely going to lead to overtraining?

A) One intensive day followed by three easy days.
B) One long day followed by three shorter duration days.
C) Two consecutive intensive days, followed by one easy day.
D) A medium intensive day followed by two easy days.

Question 15

What muscle extends the forearm?

A) Supinator teres
B) Pronator teres
C) Biceps brachii
D) Triceps brachii

Question 16

What is the correct path of blood flow through the chambers of the heart?

A) Left ventricle; left atrium; right atrium; right ventricle.
B) Right ventricle; right atrium; left atrium; left ventricle.
C) Left atrium; right atrium; left ventricle; right ventricle.
D) Right atrium; right ventricle; left atrium; left ventricle.

Question 17

Which of the following occurs when walking or running up an incline?

A) Greater flexibility of the soleus
B) Lesser force of action from the gluteus maximus
C) Lesser force of action of the knee extensors
D) Lesser flexibility of the plantar flexors

Question 18

Downhill walking/jogging/running is characterized by eccentric activation of which of the following muscle groups?

A) Hamstrings
B) Gastrocnemius
C) Brachioradialis
D) Quadriceps femoris

Question 19

How does heart rate increase in relation to work rate and oxygen uptake during dynamic exercise?

A) Exponentially
B) Linearly
C) Curvilinearly
D) Inversely

Question 20

What is the term used to describe the body's ability to utilize oxygen during exercise?

A) Lactate threshold
B) Anaerobic threshold
C) Anaerobic capacity
D) Oxygen consumption

Question 21

Which of the following best describes the symptoms that occur at 24-48 hours after a single bout of intensive exercise?

A) Delayed onset muscle strain.
B) Acute onset muscle strain.
C) Delayed onset muscle soreness.
D) Acute onset muscle soreness.

Question 22

Which of the following is also known as the Trunk Flexion Test?

A) Sit-and-reach test.
B) Curl-up test for muscular endurance.
C) Sit-up test for muscular endurance.
D) Any test that requires clients to touch their toes.

Question 23

Which of the following is a normal blood pressure (BP) response to aerobic exercise?

A) Both systolic and diastolic BP increase proportionately to increases in workload.
B) Systolic BP increases and diastolic BP decreases.
C) Systolic BP increases proportionately to increases in workload and diastolic BP remains unchanged or decreases slightly.
D) Systolic and diastolic BP both decrease at the onset of exercise, then increase in proportion to the increase in intensity.

Question 24

Which of the following joints has the greatest range of motion, and involves the greatest number of movements?

A) Knee joint
B) Shoulder joint
C) Hip joint
D) Ankle joint

Question 25

A subject with elbows held at 90 degrees of flexion is handed a 150 lb (68.1kg) barbell.  Even though he exerts maximal tension, the barbell causes the joint angle to increase to 170 degrees.  Which one of the following describes the muscle action during the extension?

A) Isotonic concentric
B) Isotonic eccentric
C) Isokinetic concentric
D) Isokinetic eccentric

Question 26

What change may occur between heart rate and blood pressure as a result of chronic exercise?

A) Resting heart rate and resting blood pressure are reduced.
B) Resting heart rate reduces, but resting blood pressure stays the same.
C) Maximal heart rate increases but maximal blood pressure stays the same.
D) Resting heart rate and resting blood pressure stay the same, but maximal heart rate and maximal blood pressure are reduced.

Question 27

As the intensity of dynamic exercise increases, which of the following sets of responses occurs?

A) Heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure increase.
B) Heart rate and systolic blood pressure increase, diastolic pressure remains unchanged.
C) Heart rate and systolic blood pressure increase, stroke volume and cardiac output remain the same.
D) Stroke volume decreases, heart rate and cardiac output increase.

Question 28

What is the major muscle used to flex the hip joint?

A) Vastus lateralis
B) Iliopsoas
C) Biceps femoris
D) Gluteus maximus

Question 29

Which of the following is a result of chronic aerobic training?

A) Increased lipid production.
B) Decreased plasma triglyceride levels.
C) Decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels.
D) Increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels.

Question 30

What is the correct order of the regions of the spinal column, from superior to inferior?

A) Cervical, lumbar, thoracic, sacral and coccyx.
B) Coccyx, sacral, lumbar, thoracic, and cervical.
C) Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, coccyx, and sacral.
D) Cervical, thoracic, lumbar,sacral, and coccyx.

Question 31

Cardiac output is a product of heart rate multiplied by ___________.

A) peripheral resistance.
B) blood pressure.
C) blood volume.
D) stroke volume.

Question 32

Type II muscle fibers:

A) Have a high capacity to generate energy through the electron transport system.
B) Have a high capacity to generate energy from fat.
C) Are recruited at a higher percentage of maximum force than Type I fibers.
D) Have high endurance capabilities.

Question 33

Which of the following physiological changes does NOT occur when a client improves aerobic capacity?

A) The muscles will be able to extract more oxygen from the blood.
B) Total lung volume will increase in proportion to the total accumulated time of high-intensity exercise.
C) The oxygen carrying capacity of the blood will increase.
D) The amount of air the lungs can take in will increase because of increases in the rate and depth of breathing.

Question 34

Mitral valve prolapse is a condition which primarily affects the           .

A) Sino-atrial node.
B) Bicuspid valve.
C) Tricuspid valve.
D) Descending aorta.

Question 35

What action is involved in the concentric phase of the biceps curl?

A) Flexion at the elbow.
B) Extension at the elbow.
C) Pronation of the forearm.
D) Supination of the forearm.

Question 36

From a seated position, with dumbbells to the sides, raising the dumbbells laterally to shoulder level with elbows slightly flexed, exercises primarily the _______:

A) bicep brachii and latisimus dorsi
B) posterior deltoid
C) anterior deltoid and triceps brachii
D) middle deltoid.

Question 37

Which muscle is an antagonist of the hamstrings?

A) Gastrocnemius
B) Iliopsoas
C) Gracilis
D) Sartorius

Question 38

What is the order of stretching techniques from lowest risk of injury to highest risk of injury?

A) Ballistic; slow static; proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation.
B) Slow static; ballistic; proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation.
C) Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation; ballistic; slow static.
D) Slow static; proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation; ballistic.

Question 39

Which principle of training best describes a previously active client, who has been ill and bed-ridden for a prolonged period of time?

A) Overload
B) Specificity
C) Reversibility
D) Progression

Question 40

If you are palpating the thumb side of the forearm in the wrist area, what pulse are you checking?

A) Humeral
B) Ulnar
C) Brachial
D) Radial

Question 41

What is an appropriate precaution and/or modification for exercising in higher ambient temperatures?

A) Take salt tablets.
B) Drink eight ounces of water once per hour.
C) Select proper loose fitting, lightweight clothing.
D) Train in clothes designed to trap and hold body heat.

Question 42

Which of the following is characterized as a plane (uniaxial) joint?

A) Coxal (hip)
B) Atlantooccipital
C) Radiocarpal (wrist)
D) Sacroiliac

Question 43

Which energy system has the highest capacity for ATP production?

A) ATP-CP
B) Rapid glycolysis
C) Slow glycolysis
D) Oxidative phosphorylation

Question 44

When should a client exhale during performance of a bench press?

A) Only after the movement ends.
B) Immediately before the movement begins.
C) During the eccentric phase of the movement.
D) During the concentric phase of the movement.

Question 45

What is the formula to determine 60% of heart rate reserve?

A) 220 - age x 60%
B) Maximum heart rate x 60%
C) Maximum heart rate - resting heart rate x 60%
D) Maximum heart rate - resting heart rate x 60% + resting heart rate

Question 46

When performing neck flexion in the sagittal plane, which of the following exercises best mimics that movement?

A) Cartwheel
B) Somersault
C) Bicep curl
D) Leg curl

Question 47

What is the American College of Sports Medicine's recommendation regarding frequency to increase cardiorespiratory fitness?

A) One to two days per week
B) Two to three days per week
C) Three to five days per week
D) Four to six days per week

Question 48

Typical movements in the weight room such as a biceps curl using free weights and leg press actions using a machine are best described as ____________ muscle actions.

A) plyometric
B) isokinetic
C) ballistic
D) isotonic

Question 49

Approximately how long is the initial conditioning phase of a cardiovascular training program?

A) Four weeks
B) Eight weeks
C) Twelve weeks
D) Sixteen weeks

Question 50

What is the variability for any given age, when estimating a client's age-predicted maximum heart rate?

A) 2 to 4 beats per minute
B) 10 to 12 beats per minute
C) 18 to 20 beats per minute
D) 22 to 24 beats per minute

Question 51

A 50 year old client has a resting heart rate of 70 beats per minute. Calculate the exercise heart rate for this client using 50% of heart rate reserve.

A) 85 beats per minute
B) 100 beats per minute
C) 110 beats per minute
D) 120 beats per minute

Question 52

The latissimus dorsi acts as the prime mover during the concentric phase of which of the following exercises?

A) lat pulldown
B) flat bench press
C) lateral raise
D) incline bench press

Question 53

As a response to a progressive resistance training program, which of the following demonstrates the predominant contribution to an increase in cross-sectional area of a muscle?

A) atrophy and possibly hypertrophy
B) hyperplasia and possibly hypertrophy
C) atrophy and possibly hyperplasia
D) hypertrophy and possibly hyperplasia

Question 54

Which of the following indicates the reason why a female who is pregnant should avoid exercise in the supine position after the first trimester?

A) obstruction of arterial blood flow
B) risk of orthostatic hypotension due to obstructed venous return
C) obstruction of the diaphragm
D) risk of decreased oxygen consumption due to pressure on the uterus

Question 55

What is the intensity recommendation for the initial conditioning stage of a cardiovascular program?

A) 10% to 20% of heart rate reserve
B) 20% to 30% of heart rate reserve
C) 40% to 60% of heart rate reserve
D) 60% to 85% of heart rate reserve

Question 56

Which rotator cuff muscle abducts the arm?

A) Infraspinatus
B) Supraspinatus
C) Subscapularis
D) Medial deltoid

Question 57

Under which of the following circumstances would you expect to see the highest rise in blood lactate?

A) During maximal exercise lasting between 60 and 180 seconds in the untrained client
B) Prior to treadmill walking in the cardiac patient
C) During maximal exercise lasting between 60 and 180 seconds in the athlete
D) After moderate intensity cycling exercise in the client with Type 2 diabetes

Question 58

What health-related physical fitness component is primarily emphasized in a circuit training program that has 30 stations, 60 seconds per station, at 25% of one repetition maximum?

A) Muscular Strength
B) Muscular Flexibility
C) Muscular Endurance
D) Muscular Power

Question 59

Which of the following bones facilitate movement of the chest during both inspiration and expiration?

A) clavicle
B) scapula
C) carpal
D) scalene

Question 60

What plane divides the body into upper and lower sections?

A) Sagittal
B) Frontal
C) Transverse
D) Median

Question 61

What is the predominant factor causing increases in strength during the initial weeks of training?

A) Changes in whole muscle cross-sectional area
B) Increases in overall limb circumference
C) Improvements in neuromuscular adaptation
D) Increases in muscle-fiber cross-sectional area

Question 62

What is the first phase of an annual training cycle?

A) Transition
B) Off-season
C) Preparatory
D) Competition

Question 63

What does it mean if a specific activity is contraindicated?

A) Perform less-intensively than normal
B) Do not perform it as often
C) Perform it slower than normal
D) Do not perform at all

Question 64

Why is a cool-down period important?

A) Prevents heat stroke
B) Helps prevent injuries
C) Reduces brain blood flow back to normal
D) Returns pooled blood back to central circulation

Question 65

A 35 year-old male client has a goal of completing a sprint distance triathlon. The certified Personal Trainer prescribes an exercise regimen of swimming 2 days per week, running 3 days per week, and bicycling 2 days per week. What training principle is being used?

A) Reversibility
B) Overload
C) Progression
D) Specificity

Question 66

Which of the following exercise program variables describes a change in intensity?

A) Changing activity from treadmill to stair-stepper.
B) Increasing a treadmill incline by five degrees.
C) Increasing the number of workout days from two to three per week.
D) Increasing treadmill running time from 20 to 30 minutes.

Question 67

What are the FITTE Factors?

A) Frequency, injury, time, type, enjoyment
B) Frequency, intensity, total, type, exercise
C) Frequency, intensity, total, type, equipment
D) Frequency, intensity, time, type, enjoyment

Question 68

What position should women in their second or third trimester of pregnancy avoid when performing exercise?

A) Prone
B) Supine
C) On their side
D) On all fours (hands and knees)

Question 69

What is a result of resistance training in adolescents?

A) It promotes muscular strength.
B) It increases muscular bulk.
C) It increases the risk of osteoporosis.
D) It causes permanent musculoskeletal damage.

Question 70

What resistance training method is being used when the client is performing a set of bicep curls immediately followed by triceps pushdowns?

A) Pyramid
B) Supersets
C) Plyometrics
D) Split routine

Question 71

What method of training combines a routine of alternating cardiovascular exercises with resistance training exercises?

A) Circuit training
B) Interval training
C) Split routine training
D) Periodization training

Question 72

Together, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports Medicine recommend that every US adult should accumulate _____ minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, preferably all days of the week.

A) 15
B) 20
C) 30
D) 60

Question 73

What happens to the muscle during isometric tension development?

A) Shortening of the muscle
B) Lengthening of the muscle
C) No change in the length of the muscle
D) Relaxation of the muscle

Question 74

A client's workout record shows changes in exercise volume and intensity over time. What training concept is being demonstrated?

A) Specificity
B) Overtraining
C) Reversibility
D) Periodization

Question 75

What is the suggested order of an exercise session?

A) Stretch, warm-up, endurance phase, cool-down
B) Warm-up, endurance phase, cool-down, stretch
C) Stretch, endurance phase, warm-up, cool-down
D) Warm-up, endurance phase, stretch, cool-down

Question 76

What is a function of the hamstring muscles?

A) Hip flexors
B) Hip extensors
C) Plantar flexors
D) Knee extensors

Question 77

When performing a seated leg extension, which muscle group is the primary antagonist during the concentric phase?

A) Hamstrings
B) Quadriceps
C) Hip extensors
D) Back extensors

Question 78

Which of the following is the most important exercise to include in an overall training plan for an apparently healthy automobile mechanic who performs daily overhead movements?

A) Lat pulldown
B) Upright Row
C) Tricep extension
D) Shoulder press

Question 79

What resistance training method is described by a light to heavy or heavy to light progression of sets?

A) Pyramid
B) Superset
C) Negative set
D) Volume training

Question 80

Which of the following is NOT a principle of training?

A) Overload
B) Specificity
C) Reversibility
D) Concentration