NASM CPT 7 Practice Exam & Study Guide (2025 Edition)
Certified Personal Trainer Practice Questions, Answers & Rationales
,1. Which of the following best describes the function of the Golgi tendon organ?
a. Detects stretch in the muscle spindle
b. Detects tension in the muscle to prevent excessive force production
c. Stimulates contraction during stretching
d. Assists in motor unit recruitment
✅ Answer: b. Detects tension in the muscle to prevent excessive force production
Rationale:
The Golgi tendon organ (GTO) senses muscular tension and acts as a safety mechanism, causing the
muscle to relax when excessive force could lead to injury.
2. Which muscle is primarily responsible for concentric acceleration of hip extension?
a. Tensor fasciae latae
b. Rectus femoris
c. Adductor longus
d. Gluteus maximus
✅ Answer: d. Gluteus maximus
Rationale:
The gluteus maximus is the primary mover (agonist) during hip extension, especially during upward
movement in squats or hip thrusts
3. Which energy system provides the majority of ATP for a 1-rep max lift?
a. Oxidative
b. ATP-PC
c. Glycolytic
d. Krebs cycle
✅ Answer: b. ATP-PC
Rationale:
The ATP-phosphocreatine (ATP-PC) system provides immediate energy for short-duration, high-intensity
efforts lasting up to 10 seconds, like a 1RM lift.
4. Which plane of motion involves biceps curls and triceps pushdowns?
, a. Transverse
b. Frontal
c. Sagittal
d. Coronal
✅ Answer: c. Sagittal
Rationale:
The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right halves, involving flexion and extension movements
— such as biceps curls.
5. During the overhead squat assessment, a client’s knees move inward. Which muscle is most likely
overactive?
a. Gluteus medius
b. Adductor complex
c. Vastus medialis oblique
d. Anterior tibialis
✅ Answer: b. Adductor complex
Rationale:
Knees moving inward (knee valgus) indicate overactivity in the adductors, TFL, and biceps femoris short
head, and underactivity in the gluteus medius and maximus.
6. Which term describes the ability of the nervous system to sense changes in joint movement and
position?
a. Sensory adaptation
b. Proprioception
c. Neuromuscular efficiency
d. Kinesthetic awareness
✅ Answer: b. Proprioception
Rationale:
Proprioception refers to the body’s ability to sense its position, motion, and equilibrium — critical for
balance and coordination.
7. Which training system alternates upper and lower body exercises to improve training efficiency?
a. Superset
b. Giant set
c. Peripheral heart action
d. Circuit
Certified Personal Trainer Practice Questions, Answers & Rationales
,1. Which of the following best describes the function of the Golgi tendon organ?
a. Detects stretch in the muscle spindle
b. Detects tension in the muscle to prevent excessive force production
c. Stimulates contraction during stretching
d. Assists in motor unit recruitment
✅ Answer: b. Detects tension in the muscle to prevent excessive force production
Rationale:
The Golgi tendon organ (GTO) senses muscular tension and acts as a safety mechanism, causing the
muscle to relax when excessive force could lead to injury.
2. Which muscle is primarily responsible for concentric acceleration of hip extension?
a. Tensor fasciae latae
b. Rectus femoris
c. Adductor longus
d. Gluteus maximus
✅ Answer: d. Gluteus maximus
Rationale:
The gluteus maximus is the primary mover (agonist) during hip extension, especially during upward
movement in squats or hip thrusts
3. Which energy system provides the majority of ATP for a 1-rep max lift?
a. Oxidative
b. ATP-PC
c. Glycolytic
d. Krebs cycle
✅ Answer: b. ATP-PC
Rationale:
The ATP-phosphocreatine (ATP-PC) system provides immediate energy for short-duration, high-intensity
efforts lasting up to 10 seconds, like a 1RM lift.
4. Which plane of motion involves biceps curls and triceps pushdowns?
, a. Transverse
b. Frontal
c. Sagittal
d. Coronal
✅ Answer: c. Sagittal
Rationale:
The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right halves, involving flexion and extension movements
— such as biceps curls.
5. During the overhead squat assessment, a client’s knees move inward. Which muscle is most likely
overactive?
a. Gluteus medius
b. Adductor complex
c. Vastus medialis oblique
d. Anterior tibialis
✅ Answer: b. Adductor complex
Rationale:
Knees moving inward (knee valgus) indicate overactivity in the adductors, TFL, and biceps femoris short
head, and underactivity in the gluteus medius and maximus.
6. Which term describes the ability of the nervous system to sense changes in joint movement and
position?
a. Sensory adaptation
b. Proprioception
c. Neuromuscular efficiency
d. Kinesthetic awareness
✅ Answer: b. Proprioception
Rationale:
Proprioception refers to the body’s ability to sense its position, motion, and equilibrium — critical for
balance and coordination.
7. Which training system alternates upper and lower body exercises to improve training efficiency?
a. Superset
b. Giant set
c. Peripheral heart action
d. Circuit
