ACSM EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST TEST UPDATED
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Question:
1. Which of the following would be considered a test of anaerobic power?
A) Push-up test
B) YMCA cycle test
C) the Wingate test
D) Balance error scoring system (BESS)
Answer:
C) the Wingate test
Question:
2. All of the following are among the ACSM guidelines to determine "maximal" effort during a maximally
graded exercise test (GXT) except_______.
A) Achievement of age-predicted HRmax
B) A postexercise venous lactate concentration >8 mmol · L−1
C) A rating of perceived exertion (RPE) at peak exercise >17 on the 6-20 scale or >7 on the 0-10 scale
D) A peak respiratory exchange ratio (RER) e 1.10
Answer:
A) Achievement of age-predicted HRmax
Question:
3. The informed consent document is:
A) Is a legal document
B) Provides immunity from prosecution
C) Provides an explanation of the test to the client
D) Legally protects the rights of the client
Answer:
C) Provides an explanation of the test to the client
Question:
4. Which of the following is a false statement regarding an informed consent?
A) The informed consent is not a legal document.
B) The informed consent does not provide legal immunity to a facility or individual in the event of injury
to an individual.
C) Negligence, improper test administration, inadequate personnel qualifications, and insufficient safety
procedures are all items that are expressly covered by the informed consent.
D) The consent form does not relieve the facility or individual of the responsibility to do everything
possible to ensure the safety of the individual.
Answer:
C) Negligence, improper test administration, inadequate personnel qualifications, and insufficient safety
procedures are all items that are expressly covered by the informed consent.
,Question:
5. What is the purpose of agreements, releases, and consent forms?
A) To inform the client of participation risks as well as the rights of the client and the facility
B) To inform the client what they can and cannot do in the facility
C) To define the relationship between the facility operator and the ACSM-EP
D) To detail the rights and responsibilities of the club owner to reject an application by a prospective client
Answer:
A) To inform the client of participation risks as well as the rights of the client and the facility
Question:
6. In commercial settings, clients should be more extensively screened for potential health risks. The
information solicited should include which of the following?
A) Personal medical history
B) Present medical status
C) Medication
D) All of the above
Answer:
D) All of the above
Question:
7. Identify the appropriate subjective self-evaluation tool used as a quick health screening before beginning
any exercise program.
A) Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire + (PAR-Q+)
B) Health Status Questionnaire (HSQ)
C) Exercise electrocardiogram (E-ECG)
D) RPE-Borg scale (RPE)
Answer:
A) Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire + (PAR-Q+)
Question:
8. Which of the following actions would be most appropriate if a client's pre-screening results indicated
she has no known cardiovascular disease, has not been exercising in the previous year, and has been
experiencing dyspnea at rest.
A) Because she has no known disease, medical clearance is not necessary.
B) Because she is currently experiencing symptoms, but does not have known disease, she should begin
light- to moderate-intensity exercise immediately.
C) Because she is currently experiencing symptoms, she should seek medical clearance prior to beginning
exercise.
D) Because she is experiencing dyspnea at rest, she should begin vigorous exercise immediately (without
clearance) to increase her cardiorespiratory fitness.
Answer:
C) Because she is currently experiencing symptoms, she should seek medical clearance prior to beginning
exercise.
,Question:
9. Which of the following describes pain and/or cramping in the lower leg due to inadequate blood flow to
skeletal muscles?
A) Dyspnea
B) Syncope
C) Claudication
D) Angina
Answer:
C) Claudication
Question:
10. Which of the following would require consultation with medical personnel prior to exercise testing?
A) Sedentary person, asymptomatic, BP = 140/90 mmHg
B) A person who regularly exercises, but has recently experienced dyspnea at rest and with mild exertion
C) A person who is inactive, no symptoms, no known disease
D) A person who regularly exercises, has no symptoms, but has a history of cardiovascular disease.
Answer:
B) A person who regularly exercises, but has recently experienced dyspnea at rest and with mild exertion
Question:
11. T/F based on the ACSM pre-participation algorithm, a participant with a history of heart valve disease,
who does not currently exercise, and is currently asymptomatic, should seek medical clearance prior to
exercise.
A) True
B) False
Answer:
A) True
Question:
12. When using the ACSM pre-participation algorithm, what is considered meeting the criteria for exercise
participation?
A) Performing planned, structured physical activity (PA) at least 20 min at a light intensity on at least 2 d ·
wk−1 for at least the last 2 months
B) Performing planned, structured PA at least 30 min at a moderate intensity on at least 3 d · wk−1 for at
least the last 3 months
C) Performing planned, structured PA at least 50 min at a vigorous intensity on at least 5 d · wk−1 for at
least the last 6 months
D) Performing planned, structured PA for at least 60 min at a light intensity every day for at least 1 yr
Answer:
B) Performing planned, structured PA at least 30 min at a moderate intensity on at least 3 d · wk−1 for at
least the last 3 months
Question:
13. Which of the following LDL cholesterol readings would be characterized as a risk factor for CVD?
A) <90 mg · dL−1
B) 90-100 mg · dL−1
C) 100-129 mg · dL−1
D) e 130 mg · dL−1
, Answer:
D) e 130 mg · dL−1
Question:
14. Which of the following BP readings would be characterized as hypertension in an adult?
A) SBP 100 and/or DBP 60 mm Hg
B) SBP 110 and/or DBP 70 mm Hg
C) SBP 140 and/or 90 mm Hg
D) 118 and/or 78 mm Hg
Answer:
C) SBP 140 and/or 90 mm Hg
Question:
15. Which of the following medications is designed to modify blood cholesterol levels?
A) Nitrates
B) β-blockers
C) Antilipemics
D) Aspirin
Answer:
C) Antilipemics
Question:
16. Which of the following represents more than 90% of the fat stored in the body and is composed of a
glycerol molecule connected to three fatty acids?
A) Phospholipids
B) Cholesterol
C) Triglycerides
D) Free fatty acids
Answer:
C) Triglycerides
Question:
17. Which of the following BP readings represents the elevated blood pressure category in adults?
A) 100/60 mm Hg
B) 110/70 mm Hg
C) 160/90 mm Hg
D) 120/78 mm Hg
Answer:
D) 120/78 mm Hg
Question:
18. A source of intimal injury thought to initiate the process of atherogenesis is ______.
A) Dyslipidemia
B) Hypertension
C) Turbulence of blood flow within the ¬vessel
D) All of the above
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Question:
1. Which of the following would be considered a test of anaerobic power?
A) Push-up test
B) YMCA cycle test
C) the Wingate test
D) Balance error scoring system (BESS)
Answer:
C) the Wingate test
Question:
2. All of the following are among the ACSM guidelines to determine "maximal" effort during a maximally
graded exercise test (GXT) except_______.
A) Achievement of age-predicted HRmax
B) A postexercise venous lactate concentration >8 mmol · L−1
C) A rating of perceived exertion (RPE) at peak exercise >17 on the 6-20 scale or >7 on the 0-10 scale
D) A peak respiratory exchange ratio (RER) e 1.10
Answer:
A) Achievement of age-predicted HRmax
Question:
3. The informed consent document is:
A) Is a legal document
B) Provides immunity from prosecution
C) Provides an explanation of the test to the client
D) Legally protects the rights of the client
Answer:
C) Provides an explanation of the test to the client
Question:
4. Which of the following is a false statement regarding an informed consent?
A) The informed consent is not a legal document.
B) The informed consent does not provide legal immunity to a facility or individual in the event of injury
to an individual.
C) Negligence, improper test administration, inadequate personnel qualifications, and insufficient safety
procedures are all items that are expressly covered by the informed consent.
D) The consent form does not relieve the facility or individual of the responsibility to do everything
possible to ensure the safety of the individual.
Answer:
C) Negligence, improper test administration, inadequate personnel qualifications, and insufficient safety
procedures are all items that are expressly covered by the informed consent.
,Question:
5. What is the purpose of agreements, releases, and consent forms?
A) To inform the client of participation risks as well as the rights of the client and the facility
B) To inform the client what they can and cannot do in the facility
C) To define the relationship between the facility operator and the ACSM-EP
D) To detail the rights and responsibilities of the club owner to reject an application by a prospective client
Answer:
A) To inform the client of participation risks as well as the rights of the client and the facility
Question:
6. In commercial settings, clients should be more extensively screened for potential health risks. The
information solicited should include which of the following?
A) Personal medical history
B) Present medical status
C) Medication
D) All of the above
Answer:
D) All of the above
Question:
7. Identify the appropriate subjective self-evaluation tool used as a quick health screening before beginning
any exercise program.
A) Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire + (PAR-Q+)
B) Health Status Questionnaire (HSQ)
C) Exercise electrocardiogram (E-ECG)
D) RPE-Borg scale (RPE)
Answer:
A) Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire + (PAR-Q+)
Question:
8. Which of the following actions would be most appropriate if a client's pre-screening results indicated
she has no known cardiovascular disease, has not been exercising in the previous year, and has been
experiencing dyspnea at rest.
A) Because she has no known disease, medical clearance is not necessary.
B) Because she is currently experiencing symptoms, but does not have known disease, she should begin
light- to moderate-intensity exercise immediately.
C) Because she is currently experiencing symptoms, she should seek medical clearance prior to beginning
exercise.
D) Because she is experiencing dyspnea at rest, she should begin vigorous exercise immediately (without
clearance) to increase her cardiorespiratory fitness.
Answer:
C) Because she is currently experiencing symptoms, she should seek medical clearance prior to beginning
exercise.
,Question:
9. Which of the following describes pain and/or cramping in the lower leg due to inadequate blood flow to
skeletal muscles?
A) Dyspnea
B) Syncope
C) Claudication
D) Angina
Answer:
C) Claudication
Question:
10. Which of the following would require consultation with medical personnel prior to exercise testing?
A) Sedentary person, asymptomatic, BP = 140/90 mmHg
B) A person who regularly exercises, but has recently experienced dyspnea at rest and with mild exertion
C) A person who is inactive, no symptoms, no known disease
D) A person who regularly exercises, has no symptoms, but has a history of cardiovascular disease.
Answer:
B) A person who regularly exercises, but has recently experienced dyspnea at rest and with mild exertion
Question:
11. T/F based on the ACSM pre-participation algorithm, a participant with a history of heart valve disease,
who does not currently exercise, and is currently asymptomatic, should seek medical clearance prior to
exercise.
A) True
B) False
Answer:
A) True
Question:
12. When using the ACSM pre-participation algorithm, what is considered meeting the criteria for exercise
participation?
A) Performing planned, structured physical activity (PA) at least 20 min at a light intensity on at least 2 d ·
wk−1 for at least the last 2 months
B) Performing planned, structured PA at least 30 min at a moderate intensity on at least 3 d · wk−1 for at
least the last 3 months
C) Performing planned, structured PA at least 50 min at a vigorous intensity on at least 5 d · wk−1 for at
least the last 6 months
D) Performing planned, structured PA for at least 60 min at a light intensity every day for at least 1 yr
Answer:
B) Performing planned, structured PA at least 30 min at a moderate intensity on at least 3 d · wk−1 for at
least the last 3 months
Question:
13. Which of the following LDL cholesterol readings would be characterized as a risk factor for CVD?
A) <90 mg · dL−1
B) 90-100 mg · dL−1
C) 100-129 mg · dL−1
D) e 130 mg · dL−1
, Answer:
D) e 130 mg · dL−1
Question:
14. Which of the following BP readings would be characterized as hypertension in an adult?
A) SBP 100 and/or DBP 60 mm Hg
B) SBP 110 and/or DBP 70 mm Hg
C) SBP 140 and/or 90 mm Hg
D) 118 and/or 78 mm Hg
Answer:
C) SBP 140 and/or 90 mm Hg
Question:
15. Which of the following medications is designed to modify blood cholesterol levels?
A) Nitrates
B) β-blockers
C) Antilipemics
D) Aspirin
Answer:
C) Antilipemics
Question:
16. Which of the following represents more than 90% of the fat stored in the body and is composed of a
glycerol molecule connected to three fatty acids?
A) Phospholipids
B) Cholesterol
C) Triglycerides
D) Free fatty acids
Answer:
C) Triglycerides
Question:
17. Which of the following BP readings represents the elevated blood pressure category in adults?
A) 100/60 mm Hg
B) 110/70 mm Hg
C) 160/90 mm Hg
D) 120/78 mm Hg
Answer:
D) 120/78 mm Hg
Question:
18. A source of intimal injury thought to initiate the process of atherogenesis is ______.
A) Dyslipidemia
B) Hypertension
C) Turbulence of blood flow within the ¬vessel
D) All of the above
