NCSF CHAPTER 4 EXAM:
SCREENING, EVALUATION AND
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
When performing a squat assessment on a new client, an exercise professional must
first:
a. calculate his lifting weight
b. properly screen him for exercise
c. complete a 24-hour dietary recall
d. test his ability to perform a body squat - Correct Answers -(b) - The main purpose of
screening a client before any activity is to identify risk factors that increase the risk of
injury when performing specific exercises or actions. Screening can help identify
physical limitations, medical conditions and potential behaviors that potentially limit
exercise participation. If a client is hurt without proper screening the risk of liability
related negligence is elevated dramatically.
When constructing an exercise prescription for an obese client, which of the following is
an important recommendation?
a. program to ensure that at least 250 kcals are burned per training session
b. minimize weight lifting initially and perform more aerobic exercise
c. maintain a caloric intake of 800-1,200 kcals per day
d. select low-impact activities during aerobic exercise to minimize the risk of injury -
Correct Answers -(d) - Exercise prescription for an obese client should include low-
impact activities during aerobic exercise to minimize the risk of injury. High-impact
exercises such as treadmill running can cause acute overuse injuries (e.g., shin splints).
Likewise, obese individuals often prefer slower speeds and higher resistance over faster
activities. Most also prefer resistance exercise over weight-bearing aerobic training.
What is the proper assessment technique when measuring heart rate using the radial
pulse?
a. placing your dominant thumb on their wrist under their thumb
b. placing your index and middle finger along the thumb side of the wrist
c. gripping the client's wrist with your hand just proximal to the palm
d. placing two fingers against the neck anterior to the sternocleidomastoid - Correct
Answers -(b) - The proper technique for assessing the radial pulse is to place your index
and middle finger along the thumb side of the client's wrist. While assessing the radial
pulse, the client does not talk and should be seated or lying in a supine position. To
, accurately identify a resting heart rate, the pulse should be taken for 60 seconds to
avoid rounding errors. Do not use the thumb as it has a pulse and can cause calculation
errors.
One of your clients is taking medication for his hypertension. Based on this information,
which of the following program components should be avoided in his exercise program?
a. leg press with heavy resistance
b. aerobic training most days of the week
c. seated cable pull-downs performed for 20 repetitions
d. moderate-intensity jogging intervals on the treadmill - Correct Answers -(a) - Clients
with hypertension should avoid performing heavy resistance training sets under 12
repetitions as well as holding their breath. This is due to the increased stress placed
upon the heart and vascular system during high-intensity resistance training. Resistance
training for individuals with high blood pressure should not exceed intensities of 70%
1RM, nor include heavy compressive exercises such as the leg press.
Which of the following is a required characteristic of a legitimate professional
credential?
a. periodic renewal of a certification through continued education
b. maintaining the organization's professional membership
c. purchasing liability insurance
d. all of the above - Correct Answers -(a) - All legitimate credentials require renewal
over a designated period of time. Normally, reporting cycles require the completion of
continuing education once a person earns certification. While continuing education is
mandatory, a misrepresentation of knowledge attainment is considered unethical.
Attending a weekend seminar does not make an attendee an expert in the field. It is
designed to provide on-going learning and help maintain practical competency for
consumer protection. Liability insurance requirements are set by
employers/municipalities and vary from country to country.
Your male client has the following measures - which one indicates a medical referral
prior to exercise participation?
a. blood pressure of 140/90
b. resting heart rate of 110 bpm
c. waist circumference of 36 inches
d. cholesterol of 185 mg/dL - Correct Answers -(b) - A client would require medical
referral due to a resting heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute. High resting heart
rates increase the risk of arrhythmias. The resting heart rate should be assessed upon
waking before any adrenal hormones impact the value; however, it is common for the
personal trainer to measure it during a screening assessment. Therefore, clients should
be instructed to sit or lie motionless for 2-5 minutes before the trainer assesses their
radial pulse to attain a more accurate value.
SCREENING, EVALUATION AND
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
When performing a squat assessment on a new client, an exercise professional must
first:
a. calculate his lifting weight
b. properly screen him for exercise
c. complete a 24-hour dietary recall
d. test his ability to perform a body squat - Correct Answers -(b) - The main purpose of
screening a client before any activity is to identify risk factors that increase the risk of
injury when performing specific exercises or actions. Screening can help identify
physical limitations, medical conditions and potential behaviors that potentially limit
exercise participation. If a client is hurt without proper screening the risk of liability
related negligence is elevated dramatically.
When constructing an exercise prescription for an obese client, which of the following is
an important recommendation?
a. program to ensure that at least 250 kcals are burned per training session
b. minimize weight lifting initially and perform more aerobic exercise
c. maintain a caloric intake of 800-1,200 kcals per day
d. select low-impact activities during aerobic exercise to minimize the risk of injury -
Correct Answers -(d) - Exercise prescription for an obese client should include low-
impact activities during aerobic exercise to minimize the risk of injury. High-impact
exercises such as treadmill running can cause acute overuse injuries (e.g., shin splints).
Likewise, obese individuals often prefer slower speeds and higher resistance over faster
activities. Most also prefer resistance exercise over weight-bearing aerobic training.
What is the proper assessment technique when measuring heart rate using the radial
pulse?
a. placing your dominant thumb on their wrist under their thumb
b. placing your index and middle finger along the thumb side of the wrist
c. gripping the client's wrist with your hand just proximal to the palm
d. placing two fingers against the neck anterior to the sternocleidomastoid - Correct
Answers -(b) - The proper technique for assessing the radial pulse is to place your index
and middle finger along the thumb side of the client's wrist. While assessing the radial
pulse, the client does not talk and should be seated or lying in a supine position. To
, accurately identify a resting heart rate, the pulse should be taken for 60 seconds to
avoid rounding errors. Do not use the thumb as it has a pulse and can cause calculation
errors.
One of your clients is taking medication for his hypertension. Based on this information,
which of the following program components should be avoided in his exercise program?
a. leg press with heavy resistance
b. aerobic training most days of the week
c. seated cable pull-downs performed for 20 repetitions
d. moderate-intensity jogging intervals on the treadmill - Correct Answers -(a) - Clients
with hypertension should avoid performing heavy resistance training sets under 12
repetitions as well as holding their breath. This is due to the increased stress placed
upon the heart and vascular system during high-intensity resistance training. Resistance
training for individuals with high blood pressure should not exceed intensities of 70%
1RM, nor include heavy compressive exercises such as the leg press.
Which of the following is a required characteristic of a legitimate professional
credential?
a. periodic renewal of a certification through continued education
b. maintaining the organization's professional membership
c. purchasing liability insurance
d. all of the above - Correct Answers -(a) - All legitimate credentials require renewal
over a designated period of time. Normally, reporting cycles require the completion of
continuing education once a person earns certification. While continuing education is
mandatory, a misrepresentation of knowledge attainment is considered unethical.
Attending a weekend seminar does not make an attendee an expert in the field. It is
designed to provide on-going learning and help maintain practical competency for
consumer protection. Liability insurance requirements are set by
employers/municipalities and vary from country to country.
Your male client has the following measures - which one indicates a medical referral
prior to exercise participation?
a. blood pressure of 140/90
b. resting heart rate of 110 bpm
c. waist circumference of 36 inches
d. cholesterol of 185 mg/dL - Correct Answers -(b) - A client would require medical
referral due to a resting heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute. High resting heart
rates increase the risk of arrhythmias. The resting heart rate should be assessed upon
waking before any adrenal hormones impact the value; however, it is common for the
personal trainer to measure it during a screening assessment. Therefore, clients should
be instructed to sit or lie motionless for 2-5 minutes before the trainer assesses their
radial pulse to attain a more accurate value.
