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ISSA PERSONAL TRAINING FINAL
EXAM ACTUAL QUESTIONS 2026
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS.
1. What two values are required to calculate the respiratory
quotient (RQ)? - correct answer-Volume of carbon dioxide
exhaled, and volume of oxygen inhaled
2. What is the respiratory quotient (RQ) for carbohydrates? -
correct answer-1.0
3. Which energy pathway is dominant for activity generally
lasting 10 seconds to 2 minutes? - correct answer-Anaerobic
glycolisis
4. What is the primary by-product of anaerobic glycolysis? -
correct answer-Lactic acid
5. What is the point at which the body switches from
metabolism requiring oxygen to primarily anaerobic
metabolism called? - correct answer-Anaerobic threshold
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6. The Krebs cycle and electron transport chain are steps in
which energy pathway? - correct answer-Oxidative energy
pathway
7. How many calories (Cal) per gram are in fat? - correct
answer-9 Cal
8. The Harris-Benedict equation incorporates the resting
metabolic rate and an activity level factor to determine what
metabolic information? - correct answer-Daily calorie
expenditure (DCE)
9. What is the general recommendation for daily calorie deficit
for someone working to lose bodyfat? - correct answer-200-
500 calories
10. What type of client assessments are based on
observations and opinions? - correct answer-subjective
assessments
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11. What document should a personal trainer collect from a
client to show they are ready to begin an exercise program
and explain any restrictions or limitations they have? -
correct answer-Physicians letter of clearance
12. What does body composition measure? - correct answer-
Fat mass and lean body mass
13. What is the average bodyfat percentage for males? -
correct answer-17-25%
14. What type of muscular assessment is the push-up test? -
correct answer-Muscular endurance assessment
15. From bottom to top, what are the six kinetic chain
checkpoints? - correct answer-Foot and ankle, knee, hips,
spine, shoulders, neck and head
16. Which spinal deviation is characterized by the excessive
curvature of the thoracic spine? - correct answer-Kyphosis
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17. What postural and movement deviation occurs when the
knees excessively bow outward away from the midline? -
correct answer-Knee varus
18. During the overhead squat assessment, which of the
following muscle is likely underactive (weak) if the heels
elevate? - correct answer-Tibialis anterior
19. During the squat or overhead squat assessment, which of
the following muscles are likely overactive (tight) if knee
valgus occurs? - correct answer-Adductors
20. Which of the five components of fitness is described as
the physical makeup of the body considering fat mass and
lean mass? - correct answer-Body composition
21. Which of the following is a known benefit of improving
muscular strength? - correct answer-Increases bone density
ISSA PERSONAL TRAINING FINAL
EXAM ACTUAL QUESTIONS 2026
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS.
1. What two values are required to calculate the respiratory
quotient (RQ)? - correct answer-Volume of carbon dioxide
exhaled, and volume of oxygen inhaled
2. What is the respiratory quotient (RQ) for carbohydrates? -
correct answer-1.0
3. Which energy pathway is dominant for activity generally
lasting 10 seconds to 2 minutes? - correct answer-Anaerobic
glycolisis
4. What is the primary by-product of anaerobic glycolysis? -
correct answer-Lactic acid
5. What is the point at which the body switches from
metabolism requiring oxygen to primarily anaerobic
metabolism called? - correct answer-Anaerobic threshold
, Page | 2
6. The Krebs cycle and electron transport chain are steps in
which energy pathway? - correct answer-Oxidative energy
pathway
7. How many calories (Cal) per gram are in fat? - correct
answer-9 Cal
8. The Harris-Benedict equation incorporates the resting
metabolic rate and an activity level factor to determine what
metabolic information? - correct answer-Daily calorie
expenditure (DCE)
9. What is the general recommendation for daily calorie deficit
for someone working to lose bodyfat? - correct answer-200-
500 calories
10. What type of client assessments are based on
observations and opinions? - correct answer-subjective
assessments
, Page | 3
11. What document should a personal trainer collect from a
client to show they are ready to begin an exercise program
and explain any restrictions or limitations they have? -
correct answer-Physicians letter of clearance
12. What does body composition measure? - correct answer-
Fat mass and lean body mass
13. What is the average bodyfat percentage for males? -
correct answer-17-25%
14. What type of muscular assessment is the push-up test? -
correct answer-Muscular endurance assessment
15. From bottom to top, what are the six kinetic chain
checkpoints? - correct answer-Foot and ankle, knee, hips,
spine, shoulders, neck and head
16. Which spinal deviation is characterized by the excessive
curvature of the thoracic spine? - correct answer-Kyphosis
, Page | 4
17. What postural and movement deviation occurs when the
knees excessively bow outward away from the midline? -
correct answer-Knee varus
18. During the overhead squat assessment, which of the
following muscle is likely underactive (weak) if the heels
elevate? - correct answer-Tibialis anterior
19. During the squat or overhead squat assessment, which of
the following muscles are likely overactive (tight) if knee
valgus occurs? - correct answer-Adductors
20. Which of the five components of fitness is described as
the physical makeup of the body considering fat mass and
lean mass? - correct answer-Body composition
21. Which of the following is a known benefit of improving
muscular strength? - correct answer-Increases bone density
