1|Page
NCSF CPT EXAM NEWEST 2026 ACTUAL EXAM TEST
BANK| NCSF CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER EXAM
REVIEW WITH COMPLETE 300 REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED A+
(BRAND NEW!!)
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 Answer -b.barbell bent-over row
Due to the horizontal position of the body during the bent over row, the trunk
must maintain a high level of stability from isometric muscle contractions. This
partially explains why exercisers remain too vertical and have a hard time
remaining in the proper position.
The performance of dumbbell side raises occurs in what movement
plane?
a.anterior
b.sagittal
c.frontal
d.transverse - Correct Answer -c.frontal
pg. 1
,2|Page
The dumbbell side raise occurs in the frontal movement plane. The frontal plane
bisects the body at the midaxillary line, splitting the body into equal front and
back halves. Frontal-plane actions are performed when moving right or left and
include ab/adduction exercises. To maintain muscle tension on the deltoids
during the whole set, abduction should begin at about 30 degrees from the sides
of the body
Increased blood flow to working muscles during a training session
creates which of the following immediate effects during the workout?
a.Acute increases in muscle size
b.Increased protein synthesis
c.Increased gluconeogenesis
d.Decreased myostatin - Correct Answer -a.Acute increases in muscle
size
An influx of blood flow into working muscles gives the appearance of increased
size via an acute "pump" action. Some supplements such as nitric oxide seek to
increase this action as a vasodilator. All other adaptations or changes such as
protein synthesis occur in the recovery period following the workout.
What has the greatest impact on relative hormonal response during
exercise?
a.participant Level of fitness
b.duration of exercise
c.intensity of exercise
d.age of participant - Correct Answer -c.intensity of exercise
pg. 2
,3|Page
Intensity predicts the stress and metabolic demands of the body,
consequentially triggering hormones to manage the internal condition. The
higher the intensity of exercise, the more dramatic the hormone response to
address the stress and energy demands. The more experienced the exerciser to
the training environment the more adapted the hormone system will be to
manage the stress. Chronological age does affect hormone response, but not to
the extent of the prior.
What causes the protein-sparing mechanism to shut off during exercise?
a.high amino acid concentration in the blood
b.inadequate iron in the diet
c.creatine phosphate build-up in the cell
d.inadequate carbohydrate - Correct Answer -d.inadequate carbohydrate
Protein sparing occurs when adequate fuel is available and blood glucose levels
can be maintained. When inadequate calories create low glycogen stores, with
subsequent inadequate blood glucose, the body responds by sparing glycogen.
Therefore, exercise with inadequate carbohydrates will cause protein catabolism
to fuel ongoing physical activities.
What position of the knee is necessary to fully stretch the gastrocnemius
when the ankle is in full dorsi flexion?
a.partially flexed
b.fully flexed
c.fully extended
pg. 3
, 4|Page
d.it is not affected by the knee in dorsi flexion - Correct Answer -c.fully
extended
Since the gastrocnemius crosses the knee it must be extended to optimize the
stretch. Active-isolation stretches for the calves actually use a constant
contraction of the quadriceps to extend the knee along with anterior tibialis
controlled dorsi flexion to optimize the gastrocnemius stretch.
What muscles are used to globally stabilize the humerus during the
bench press?
a.latissimus dorsi and deltoid
b.pectoralis major and minor
c.rectus abdominis and erector spinae
d.obliques and transverse abdominis - Correct Answer -a.latissimus dorsi
and deltoid
The pectoralis major is the prime mover for the bench press, but the latissimus
dorsi and shoulders must control the position of the humerus during horizontal
ab/adduction. This keeps the arms in the same plane during the eccentric and
concentric phases. The supraspinatus serves as the local stabilizer for the
glenohumeral joint.
Based on the principles of stability what exercise would be the most
difficult to stabilize?
a.kettlebell squats
b.standing single-arm dumbbell press
c.barbell upright row
pg. 4
NCSF CPT EXAM NEWEST 2026 ACTUAL EXAM TEST
BANK| NCSF CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER EXAM
REVIEW WITH COMPLETE 300 REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED A+
(BRAND NEW!!)
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 Answer -b.barbell bent-over row
Due to the horizontal position of the body during the bent over row, the trunk
must maintain a high level of stability from isometric muscle contractions. This
partially explains why exercisers remain too vertical and have a hard time
remaining in the proper position.
The performance of dumbbell side raises occurs in what movement
plane?
a.anterior
b.sagittal
c.frontal
d.transverse - Correct Answer -c.frontal
pg. 1
,2|Page
The dumbbell side raise occurs in the frontal movement plane. The frontal plane
bisects the body at the midaxillary line, splitting the body into equal front and
back halves. Frontal-plane actions are performed when moving right or left and
include ab/adduction exercises. To maintain muscle tension on the deltoids
during the whole set, abduction should begin at about 30 degrees from the sides
of the body
Increased blood flow to working muscles during a training session
creates which of the following immediate effects during the workout?
a.Acute increases in muscle size
b.Increased protein synthesis
c.Increased gluconeogenesis
d.Decreased myostatin - Correct Answer -a.Acute increases in muscle
size
An influx of blood flow into working muscles gives the appearance of increased
size via an acute "pump" action. Some supplements such as nitric oxide seek to
increase this action as a vasodilator. All other adaptations or changes such as
protein synthesis occur in the recovery period following the workout.
What has the greatest impact on relative hormonal response during
exercise?
a.participant Level of fitness
b.duration of exercise
c.intensity of exercise
d.age of participant - Correct Answer -c.intensity of exercise
pg. 2
,3|Page
Intensity predicts the stress and metabolic demands of the body,
consequentially triggering hormones to manage the internal condition. The
higher the intensity of exercise, the more dramatic the hormone response to
address the stress and energy demands. The more experienced the exerciser to
the training environment the more adapted the hormone system will be to
manage the stress. Chronological age does affect hormone response, but not to
the extent of the prior.
What causes the protein-sparing mechanism to shut off during exercise?
a.high amino acid concentration in the blood
b.inadequate iron in the diet
c.creatine phosphate build-up in the cell
d.inadequate carbohydrate - Correct Answer -d.inadequate carbohydrate
Protein sparing occurs when adequate fuel is available and blood glucose levels
can be maintained. When inadequate calories create low glycogen stores, with
subsequent inadequate blood glucose, the body responds by sparing glycogen.
Therefore, exercise with inadequate carbohydrates will cause protein catabolism
to fuel ongoing physical activities.
What position of the knee is necessary to fully stretch the gastrocnemius
when the ankle is in full dorsi flexion?
a.partially flexed
b.fully flexed
c.fully extended
pg. 3
, 4|Page
d.it is not affected by the knee in dorsi flexion - Correct Answer -c.fully
extended
Since the gastrocnemius crosses the knee it must be extended to optimize the
stretch. Active-isolation stretches for the calves actually use a constant
contraction of the quadriceps to extend the knee along with anterior tibialis
controlled dorsi flexion to optimize the gastrocnemius stretch.
What muscles are used to globally stabilize the humerus during the
bench press?
a.latissimus dorsi and deltoid
b.pectoralis major and minor
c.rectus abdominis and erector spinae
d.obliques and transverse abdominis - Correct Answer -a.latissimus dorsi
and deltoid
The pectoralis major is the prime mover for the bench press, but the latissimus
dorsi and shoulders must control the position of the humerus during horizontal
ab/adduction. This keeps the arms in the same plane during the eccentric and
concentric phases. The supraspinatus serves as the local stabilizer for the
glenohumeral joint.
Based on the principles of stability what exercise would be the most
difficult to stabilize?
a.kettlebell squats
b.standing single-arm dumbbell press
c.barbell upright row
pg. 4
