ACSM EP Exam Test Questions and Answers Graded A+
Which of the following is the MOST important Balance
exercise variable in preventing injuries?
a. High intensity
b. Longer bouts of duration Which of the following is MOST accurate
c. Consecutive days of training regarding submaximal exercise testing?
d. Slow and gradual progression - a. It is generally considered safe for most
ANSWER -d. Slow and gradual progression individuals
b. It requires medical supervision from a
physician or other trained professional
The Framingham Heart Study started as a large c. It requires medical clearance from the client's
cohort study in 1948 with the purpose of primary health care provider
identifying and examining the effects of various d. It is indicated for individuals under 45 years of
risk factors for the development of which disease age - ANSWER -a. It is generally
process? considered safe for most individuals
a. Cardiovascular disease
b. Neuromotor disease
c. Pulmonary disease For individuals younger than 30 years of age, the
d. Metabolic disease - ANSWER -a. most common cause(s) of sudden cardiac death
Cardiovascular disease is/are:
a. Head and cervical spine trauma.
b. Congenital and hereditary abnormalities.
To lessen the chance of injury, the ACSM-EP c. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
should: d. Coronary artery disease. - ANSWER -b.
a. Assess the client's goal and rewrite it to be Congenital and hereditary abnormalities.
more realistic based on exercise testing results.
b. Be diligent in choosing exercise modes and
prescribing exercises that are based on an Which of the following activities has the lowest
individual's current fitness level and desires. risk of musculoskeletal injury?
c. Determine the client's intensity threshold and a. Weightlifting
work 10% of the time above that threshold for b. Jogging
adaptation purposes. c. Basketball
d. Start at a moderate to high level of intensity, d. Walking - ANSWER -d. Walking
frequency, and duration and progress slowly. -
ANSWER -b. Be diligent in choosing
exercise modes and prescribing exercises that A 1995 joint position statement of the ACSM and
are based on an individual's current fitness level CDC recommended that every adult accumulate
and desires. how many minutes of activity per day?
a. 60 minutes
b. 10 minutes
Which of the following is a skill-related parameter c. 30 minutes
that might be addressed in a client's exercise d. 15 minutes - ANSWER -c. 30 minutes
program?
a. Balance
b. Flexibility Which of the following is a skill-related aspect of
c. Aerobic capacity physical activity?
d. Body composition - ANSWER -a. a. Strength
,ACSM EP Exam Test Questions and Answers Graded A+
b. Ability d. By determining the amount of muscle mass
c. Coordination producing bodilty movements and the intensity,
d. Endurance - ANSWER -c. Coordination duration, and frequency of muscular contractions
- ANSWER -d. By determining the amount
of muscle mass producing bodilty movements
Which of the following is the most common risk and the intensity, duration, and frequency of
factor that is associated with exercise? muscular contractions
a. Sprain of the shoulder joint
b. Injuries at the lumbar spine
c. Injuries at the knee or foot The relationship between physical activity and
d. Strain of the rotator cuff - ANSWER -c. risk of developing cardiovascular disease can
Injuries at the knee or foot best be described as:
a. Scientifically proven.
b. Questionable pending further research.
Which of the following BEST describes the c. Dependent on CVD risk profile.
mechanism for the cause of sudden cardiac d. A dose-response relationship. -
death? ANSWER -d. A dose-response relationship.
a. An erratic atrial rhythm during diastole
b. A drop in blood pressure below 90/60 mm Hg
c. Hypertensive response at rest or during The 2007 update to an ACSM/CDC
exercise recommendation for activity focused on the
d. Plaque buildup that dislodges from an artery frequency recommendation; instead of "most,
and causes a blood clot - ANSWER -d. preferably all, days of the week," the update was
Plaque buildup that dislodges from an artery and changed to:
causes a blood clot a. Five days each week.
b. Seven days a week.
c. Most days of the week.
To minimize any emergent event during exercise d. All days of the week. - ANSWER -a. Five
testing or training, it is critical that the ACSM-EP: days each week.
a. Assess the client's exercise intensity threshold
and maintain intensity below it.
b. Post highly visible emergency procedures and Which of the following is the BEST way to
phone numbers in prominent areas. minimize the risk of musculoskeletal injury as a
c. Conduct appropriate screening on each client client begins an exercise program?
as a first step. a. Set realistic exercise goals for the program
d. Obtain a signed informed consent to minimize b. Use programs that are effective with other
liability. - ANSWER -c. Conduct appropriate clients
screening on each client as a first step. c. Avoid the use of free weights for strength
training
d. Utilize lower-intensity, longer-duration cardio
How can the total amount of energy expenditure exercise - ANSWER -a. Set realistic
associated with physical activity be determined? exercise goals for the program
a. By considering the intensity of the activity
b. By considering the duration of the activity
c. By considering the frequency of the muscular The skill-related components of physical fitness
contractions involved in the activity include:
,ACSM EP Exam Test Questions and Answers Graded A+
a. Speed, flexibility, coordination, balance, c. 15 minutes
power, and strength. d. 30 minutes - ANSWER -b. 10 minutes
b. Agility, speed, coordination, balance, reaction
time, and endurance.
c. Speed, agility, coordination, balance, power, Over the past five decades, it has been estimated
and reaction time. that occupational energy expenditure has
d. Agility, flexibility, coordination, balance, power, declined by approximately how many calories per
and endurance. - ANSWER -c. Speed, day?
agility, coordination, balance, power, and a. 50
reaction time. b. 100
c. 250
d. 500 - ANSWER -b. 100
Cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality
are inversely related to both physical activity and:
a. Strength. Which of the following is a criterion used to
b. Physical Fitness. determine if an individual could be classifed as
c. Weight. sedentary/physically inactive?
d. Age. - ANSWER -b. Physical Fitness. a. The performance of at least 30 minutes of
moderate-intensity physical activity, on at least
five days per week, performed for at least three
For high school and college athletes, months.
preparticipation screening primarily functions to: b. The performance of at least 30 minutes of
a. Detect potential cardiac issues. vigorous-intensity physical activity, on at least
b. Assess joint integrity. two days per week, performed for at least three
c. Detect muscle weakness and imbalance. months.
d. Assess functional capacity. - ANSWER - c. The performance of at least 30 minutes of
a. Detect potential cardiac issues. moderate-intensity physical activity, on at least
five days per week, performed for at least one
month.
Numerous epidemiological research efforts have d. The performance of at least 30 minutes of
demonstrated an inverse relationship between vigorous-intensity physical activity, on at least
physical activity and: three days per week, performed for at least one
a. Morbidity. month. - ANSWER -a. The performance of
b. Cardiovascular disease. at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical
c. Health. activity, on at least five days per week, performed
d. Cancer. - ANSWER -b. Cardiovascular for at least three months.
disease.
The Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study has
An update from a 2007 ACSM/CDC joint demonstrated that more physically fit individuals
statement indicates that physical activity bouts of have reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and:
at least how many minutes can be accumulated a. Cancer.
toward the recommended total amount of daily b. Stroke.
physical activity? c. Mortality.
a. 5 minutes d. Heart disease. - ANSWER -c. Mortality.
b. 10 minutes
, ACSM EP Exam Test Questions and Answers Graded A+
Q+ again at that time - ANSWER -b. She
To minimize musculoskeletal injury from the should seek physician consent prior to beginning
outset, which of the following should be physical activity
prioritized?
a. Beginning the client's program with a balanced
circuit training regimen The primary purpose of the informed consent is
b. Making the client aware of early signs of to:
potential injury a. Inform the participant of any personal and
c. Advising the client to "work through" pain confidential information that will be collected.
d. Starting with high intensity during strength b. Inform of any risks involved with exercise
training - ANSWER -b. Making the client testing and/or exercise training.
aware of early signs of potential injury c. Inform of the purpose of all exercise tests that
will be performed.
d. Inform how the data collected will be stored.
You notice a member of your fitness facility on e. All of the answers are correct. -
the elliptical trainer who is shaking her left arm ANSWER -e. All of the answers are correct.
and rubbing her chest. She states that she is
okay and tells you her chest is feeling tight. You
should: Which of the following allows for a self-guided
a. Explain and demonstrate how she can later screening prior to physical activity?
stretch her chest after her cool-down. a. Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire-
b. Suggest that she switch to a nonweight- Plus
bearing mode such as cycling. b. Global Physical Activity Questionnaire
c. Stop the exercise, have her immediately cool c. Minnesota Leisure Time Activity Survey
down by walking around, and monitor for d. Jenkins Activity Survey - ANSWER -a.
additional signs or symptoms. Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire-Plus
d. Let her know that you were concerned, and
encourage her to keep exercising. -
ANSWER -c. Stop the exercise, have her The risk factor for obesity is a BMI at or greater
immediately cool down by walking around, and than:
monitor for additional signs or symptoms. a. 45 kg/m2.
b. 30 kg/m2.
c. 15 kg/m2.
A 57-year-old female completes the PAR-Q+, d. 60 kg/m2 - ANSWER -b. 30 kg/m2.
answers "YES" to questions #3 and #6 on page
1. She then completes pages 2 and 3, answering
"YES" to multiple follow-up questions on those Initial interviews with clients should include health
pages. What is the recommended course of history, exercise readiness forms, and inquiries
action for this individual? about:
a. She may begin independent physical activity a. Work schedule and hobbies that may interfere
immediately with training schedules.
b. She should seek physician consent prior to b. Client goals and expectations for working with
beginning physical activity an ACSM-EP.
c. She may begin supervised physical activity c. Social support networks that can help or hinder
only the training routine.
d. She should wait one year and fill out the PAR- d. Previous work with other ACSM-EPs. -
Which of the following is the MOST important Balance
exercise variable in preventing injuries?
a. High intensity
b. Longer bouts of duration Which of the following is MOST accurate
c. Consecutive days of training regarding submaximal exercise testing?
d. Slow and gradual progression - a. It is generally considered safe for most
ANSWER -d. Slow and gradual progression individuals
b. It requires medical supervision from a
physician or other trained professional
The Framingham Heart Study started as a large c. It requires medical clearance from the client's
cohort study in 1948 with the purpose of primary health care provider
identifying and examining the effects of various d. It is indicated for individuals under 45 years of
risk factors for the development of which disease age - ANSWER -a. It is generally
process? considered safe for most individuals
a. Cardiovascular disease
b. Neuromotor disease
c. Pulmonary disease For individuals younger than 30 years of age, the
d. Metabolic disease - ANSWER -a. most common cause(s) of sudden cardiac death
Cardiovascular disease is/are:
a. Head and cervical spine trauma.
b. Congenital and hereditary abnormalities.
To lessen the chance of injury, the ACSM-EP c. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
should: d. Coronary artery disease. - ANSWER -b.
a. Assess the client's goal and rewrite it to be Congenital and hereditary abnormalities.
more realistic based on exercise testing results.
b. Be diligent in choosing exercise modes and
prescribing exercises that are based on an Which of the following activities has the lowest
individual's current fitness level and desires. risk of musculoskeletal injury?
c. Determine the client's intensity threshold and a. Weightlifting
work 10% of the time above that threshold for b. Jogging
adaptation purposes. c. Basketball
d. Start at a moderate to high level of intensity, d. Walking - ANSWER -d. Walking
frequency, and duration and progress slowly. -
ANSWER -b. Be diligent in choosing
exercise modes and prescribing exercises that A 1995 joint position statement of the ACSM and
are based on an individual's current fitness level CDC recommended that every adult accumulate
and desires. how many minutes of activity per day?
a. 60 minutes
b. 10 minutes
Which of the following is a skill-related parameter c. 30 minutes
that might be addressed in a client's exercise d. 15 minutes - ANSWER -c. 30 minutes
program?
a. Balance
b. Flexibility Which of the following is a skill-related aspect of
c. Aerobic capacity physical activity?
d. Body composition - ANSWER -a. a. Strength
,ACSM EP Exam Test Questions and Answers Graded A+
b. Ability d. By determining the amount of muscle mass
c. Coordination producing bodilty movements and the intensity,
d. Endurance - ANSWER -c. Coordination duration, and frequency of muscular contractions
- ANSWER -d. By determining the amount
of muscle mass producing bodilty movements
Which of the following is the most common risk and the intensity, duration, and frequency of
factor that is associated with exercise? muscular contractions
a. Sprain of the shoulder joint
b. Injuries at the lumbar spine
c. Injuries at the knee or foot The relationship between physical activity and
d. Strain of the rotator cuff - ANSWER -c. risk of developing cardiovascular disease can
Injuries at the knee or foot best be described as:
a. Scientifically proven.
b. Questionable pending further research.
Which of the following BEST describes the c. Dependent on CVD risk profile.
mechanism for the cause of sudden cardiac d. A dose-response relationship. -
death? ANSWER -d. A dose-response relationship.
a. An erratic atrial rhythm during diastole
b. A drop in blood pressure below 90/60 mm Hg
c. Hypertensive response at rest or during The 2007 update to an ACSM/CDC
exercise recommendation for activity focused on the
d. Plaque buildup that dislodges from an artery frequency recommendation; instead of "most,
and causes a blood clot - ANSWER -d. preferably all, days of the week," the update was
Plaque buildup that dislodges from an artery and changed to:
causes a blood clot a. Five days each week.
b. Seven days a week.
c. Most days of the week.
To minimize any emergent event during exercise d. All days of the week. - ANSWER -a. Five
testing or training, it is critical that the ACSM-EP: days each week.
a. Assess the client's exercise intensity threshold
and maintain intensity below it.
b. Post highly visible emergency procedures and Which of the following is the BEST way to
phone numbers in prominent areas. minimize the risk of musculoskeletal injury as a
c. Conduct appropriate screening on each client client begins an exercise program?
as a first step. a. Set realistic exercise goals for the program
d. Obtain a signed informed consent to minimize b. Use programs that are effective with other
liability. - ANSWER -c. Conduct appropriate clients
screening on each client as a first step. c. Avoid the use of free weights for strength
training
d. Utilize lower-intensity, longer-duration cardio
How can the total amount of energy expenditure exercise - ANSWER -a. Set realistic
associated with physical activity be determined? exercise goals for the program
a. By considering the intensity of the activity
b. By considering the duration of the activity
c. By considering the frequency of the muscular The skill-related components of physical fitness
contractions involved in the activity include:
,ACSM EP Exam Test Questions and Answers Graded A+
a. Speed, flexibility, coordination, balance, c. 15 minutes
power, and strength. d. 30 minutes - ANSWER -b. 10 minutes
b. Agility, speed, coordination, balance, reaction
time, and endurance.
c. Speed, agility, coordination, balance, power, Over the past five decades, it has been estimated
and reaction time. that occupational energy expenditure has
d. Agility, flexibility, coordination, balance, power, declined by approximately how many calories per
and endurance. - ANSWER -c. Speed, day?
agility, coordination, balance, power, and a. 50
reaction time. b. 100
c. 250
d. 500 - ANSWER -b. 100
Cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality
are inversely related to both physical activity and:
a. Strength. Which of the following is a criterion used to
b. Physical Fitness. determine if an individual could be classifed as
c. Weight. sedentary/physically inactive?
d. Age. - ANSWER -b. Physical Fitness. a. The performance of at least 30 minutes of
moderate-intensity physical activity, on at least
five days per week, performed for at least three
For high school and college athletes, months.
preparticipation screening primarily functions to: b. The performance of at least 30 minutes of
a. Detect potential cardiac issues. vigorous-intensity physical activity, on at least
b. Assess joint integrity. two days per week, performed for at least three
c. Detect muscle weakness and imbalance. months.
d. Assess functional capacity. - ANSWER - c. The performance of at least 30 minutes of
a. Detect potential cardiac issues. moderate-intensity physical activity, on at least
five days per week, performed for at least one
month.
Numerous epidemiological research efforts have d. The performance of at least 30 minutes of
demonstrated an inverse relationship between vigorous-intensity physical activity, on at least
physical activity and: three days per week, performed for at least one
a. Morbidity. month. - ANSWER -a. The performance of
b. Cardiovascular disease. at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical
c. Health. activity, on at least five days per week, performed
d. Cancer. - ANSWER -b. Cardiovascular for at least three months.
disease.
The Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study has
An update from a 2007 ACSM/CDC joint demonstrated that more physically fit individuals
statement indicates that physical activity bouts of have reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and:
at least how many minutes can be accumulated a. Cancer.
toward the recommended total amount of daily b. Stroke.
physical activity? c. Mortality.
a. 5 minutes d. Heart disease. - ANSWER -c. Mortality.
b. 10 minutes
, ACSM EP Exam Test Questions and Answers Graded A+
Q+ again at that time - ANSWER -b. She
To minimize musculoskeletal injury from the should seek physician consent prior to beginning
outset, which of the following should be physical activity
prioritized?
a. Beginning the client's program with a balanced
circuit training regimen The primary purpose of the informed consent is
b. Making the client aware of early signs of to:
potential injury a. Inform the participant of any personal and
c. Advising the client to "work through" pain confidential information that will be collected.
d. Starting with high intensity during strength b. Inform of any risks involved with exercise
training - ANSWER -b. Making the client testing and/or exercise training.
aware of early signs of potential injury c. Inform of the purpose of all exercise tests that
will be performed.
d. Inform how the data collected will be stored.
You notice a member of your fitness facility on e. All of the answers are correct. -
the elliptical trainer who is shaking her left arm ANSWER -e. All of the answers are correct.
and rubbing her chest. She states that she is
okay and tells you her chest is feeling tight. You
should: Which of the following allows for a self-guided
a. Explain and demonstrate how she can later screening prior to physical activity?
stretch her chest after her cool-down. a. Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire-
b. Suggest that she switch to a nonweight- Plus
bearing mode such as cycling. b. Global Physical Activity Questionnaire
c. Stop the exercise, have her immediately cool c. Minnesota Leisure Time Activity Survey
down by walking around, and monitor for d. Jenkins Activity Survey - ANSWER -a.
additional signs or symptoms. Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire-Plus
d. Let her know that you were concerned, and
encourage her to keep exercising. -
ANSWER -c. Stop the exercise, have her The risk factor for obesity is a BMI at or greater
immediately cool down by walking around, and than:
monitor for additional signs or symptoms. a. 45 kg/m2.
b. 30 kg/m2.
c. 15 kg/m2.
A 57-year-old female completes the PAR-Q+, d. 60 kg/m2 - ANSWER -b. 30 kg/m2.
answers "YES" to questions #3 and #6 on page
1. She then completes pages 2 and 3, answering
"YES" to multiple follow-up questions on those Initial interviews with clients should include health
pages. What is the recommended course of history, exercise readiness forms, and inquiries
action for this individual? about:
a. She may begin independent physical activity a. Work schedule and hobbies that may interfere
immediately with training schedules.
b. She should seek physician consent prior to b. Client goals and expectations for working with
beginning physical activity an ACSM-EP.
c. She may begin supervised physical activity c. Social support networks that can help or hinder
only the training routine.
d. She should wait one year and fill out the PAR- d. Previous work with other ACSM-EPs. -
