NCSF CPT Exam Review UPDATED Study
Guide QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
For a client with moderately elevated blood pressure, a low VO2max, and high
body fat, which of the following would be most effective?
a.Superset training and elevated protein intake
b.Cardiovascular training and reduced sodium intake
c.A very-low calorie diet
d.Flexibility and balance training - CORRECT ANSWERS
b.Cardiovascular training and reduced sodium intake
(b) - Cardiovascular training can have a positive impact on all of this client's
issues and limitations via caloric expenditure and weight loss. Reduced sodium
intake as well as increased potassium can also positively impact blood pressure
over time.
The posterior pelvic tilt seen in this picture, is commonly seen in bilateral leg
exercises a result of tight ____________________.
quadriceps
b.glutes
c.quadratus lumborum
d.hip flexors - CORRECT ANSWERS b.glutes
(b) - The hip extensors, including the glutes and proximal insertion of the
hamstrings, are often found to be inflexible. Part of the reason for this common
occurrence is attributed to the increased propensity to sit for long hours with
flexed knees and rounded back. Improper seated posture causes posterior pelvic
,migration and reduced hip extensor length. This same pelvic deviation can be
seen during the leg press with tight hip extensors.
Ankle dorsi flexion is caused by _________________.
a.a concentric contraction of the anterior tibialis
b.an isometric contraction of the soleus
c.an eccentric contraction of the biceps femoris
d.a concentric contraction of the gastrocnemius - CORRECT ANSWERS
a.a concentric contraction of the anterior tibialis
(a) - A concentric contraction of the anterior tibialis would cause dorsi flexion
of the ankle, as seen during the recovery phase of jogging. Weakness in the
anterior tibialis has also been shown to increase the prevalence of shin splints
among runners and falls among older adults.
When performing biceps and triceps exercises, what joint action should occur at
the shoulder?
a.no joint movement
b.flexion
c.abduction
d.extension - CORRECT ANSWERS a.no joint movement
(a) - No movement should occur in the glenohumeral joint during arm exercises.
The most common "cheat" error is flexing the hips and extending the shoulders
during triceps exercises, and extending the hips and flexing the shoulders during
bicep exercises.
,What exercise is used to cause elevation of the shoulder complex (scapulae and
humerus)?
a.pull-up
b.military press
c.barbell shrug
d.seated row - CORRECT ANSWERS c.barbell shrug
c) - The trapezius musculature is comprised of three portions that serve distinct
functions. The upper trapezius is responsible for shoulder elevation as seen
during a shrug exercise, the middle trapezius aids in scapular rotation and the
lower trapezius is primarily reserved for functions above 90 degrees of shoulder
abduction.
What is the natural curvature of the thoracic spine?
a.lordotic curve
b.lateral curve
c.kyphotic curve
d.medial curve - CORRECT ANSWERS c.kyphotic curve
(c) - The thoracic spine naturally maintains a kyphotic curve. A kyphotic
curvature rounds outward but should not be confused with the term kyphosis,
which refers to an abnormally significant curvature commonly seen among the
elderly.
What is a common error when performing an incline dumbbell press?
a.The arms are not fully extended at the top of the concentric phase
b.The hips are lifted off the bench
, c.The wrist and elbows lose alignment
d.All of the above - CORRECT ANSWERS d.All of the above
(d) - Common errors during dumbbell presses are to overly-flex the elbows so
the dumbbells are over the chest, not fully extending the arms to alignment over
the shoulder, lifting the hips off the bench and not using a flat foot position.
What back muscle is the prime mover for the seated row exercise as it is
responsible for retraction of the scapula?
a.latissimus dorsi
b.rhomboids
c.trapezius
d.infraspinatus - CORRECT ANSWERS b.rhomboids
(b) - Scapular retraction supersedes arm extension during the row and is further
promoted through hyper-extension of the shoulder as controlled by the
rhomboids. While the rhomboids do not attach to the arm they are heavily
involved in rowing exercises such as the seated row, bent-over row and one-arm
row.
Which of the following exercises requires the greatest contribution from trunk
stabilizers when using 80% 1RM?
a.seated leg extension
b.barbell bent-over row
c.bench press
d.leg press - CORRECT ANSWERS b.barbell bent-over row
Guide QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
For a client with moderately elevated blood pressure, a low VO2max, and high
body fat, which of the following would be most effective?
a.Superset training and elevated protein intake
b.Cardiovascular training and reduced sodium intake
c.A very-low calorie diet
d.Flexibility and balance training - CORRECT ANSWERS
b.Cardiovascular training and reduced sodium intake
(b) - Cardiovascular training can have a positive impact on all of this client's
issues and limitations via caloric expenditure and weight loss. Reduced sodium
intake as well as increased potassium can also positively impact blood pressure
over time.
The posterior pelvic tilt seen in this picture, is commonly seen in bilateral leg
exercises a result of tight ____________________.
quadriceps
b.glutes
c.quadratus lumborum
d.hip flexors - CORRECT ANSWERS b.glutes
(b) - The hip extensors, including the glutes and proximal insertion of the
hamstrings, are often found to be inflexible. Part of the reason for this common
occurrence is attributed to the increased propensity to sit for long hours with
flexed knees and rounded back. Improper seated posture causes posterior pelvic
,migration and reduced hip extensor length. This same pelvic deviation can be
seen during the leg press with tight hip extensors.
Ankle dorsi flexion is caused by _________________.
a.a concentric contraction of the anterior tibialis
b.an isometric contraction of the soleus
c.an eccentric contraction of the biceps femoris
d.a concentric contraction of the gastrocnemius - CORRECT ANSWERS
a.a concentric contraction of the anterior tibialis
(a) - A concentric contraction of the anterior tibialis would cause dorsi flexion
of the ankle, as seen during the recovery phase of jogging. Weakness in the
anterior tibialis has also been shown to increase the prevalence of shin splints
among runners and falls among older adults.
When performing biceps and triceps exercises, what joint action should occur at
the shoulder?
a.no joint movement
b.flexion
c.abduction
d.extension - CORRECT ANSWERS a.no joint movement
(a) - No movement should occur in the glenohumeral joint during arm exercises.
The most common "cheat" error is flexing the hips and extending the shoulders
during triceps exercises, and extending the hips and flexing the shoulders during
bicep exercises.
,What exercise is used to cause elevation of the shoulder complex (scapulae and
humerus)?
a.pull-up
b.military press
c.barbell shrug
d.seated row - CORRECT ANSWERS c.barbell shrug
c) - The trapezius musculature is comprised of three portions that serve distinct
functions. The upper trapezius is responsible for shoulder elevation as seen
during a shrug exercise, the middle trapezius aids in scapular rotation and the
lower trapezius is primarily reserved for functions above 90 degrees of shoulder
abduction.
What is the natural curvature of the thoracic spine?
a.lordotic curve
b.lateral curve
c.kyphotic curve
d.medial curve - CORRECT ANSWERS c.kyphotic curve
(c) - The thoracic spine naturally maintains a kyphotic curve. A kyphotic
curvature rounds outward but should not be confused with the term kyphosis,
which refers to an abnormally significant curvature commonly seen among the
elderly.
What is a common error when performing an incline dumbbell press?
a.The arms are not fully extended at the top of the concentric phase
b.The hips are lifted off the bench
, c.The wrist and elbows lose alignment
d.All of the above - CORRECT ANSWERS d.All of the above
(d) - Common errors during dumbbell presses are to overly-flex the elbows so
the dumbbells are over the chest, not fully extending the arms to alignment over
the shoulder, lifting the hips off the bench and not using a flat foot position.
What back muscle is the prime mover for the seated row exercise as it is
responsible for retraction of the scapula?
a.latissimus dorsi
b.rhomboids
c.trapezius
d.infraspinatus - CORRECT ANSWERS b.rhomboids
(b) - Scapular retraction supersedes arm extension during the row and is further
promoted through hyper-extension of the shoulder as controlled by the
rhomboids. While the rhomboids do not attach to the arm they are heavily
involved in rowing exercises such as the seated row, bent-over row and one-arm
row.
Which of the following exercises requires the greatest contribution from trunk
stabilizers when using 80% 1RM?
a.seated leg extension
b.barbell bent-over row
c.bench press
d.leg press - CORRECT ANSWERS b.barbell bent-over row
