NASM CPT Final Exam Study Guide: Updated A+ Guide
Solution
Chronic disease - ANSWERIncurable illness or health condition that persists for a year
or more in functional limitations and the need for ongoing medical care
Obesity - ANSWERThe condition of being considerably overweight and having
subcutaneous fat exceeding the amount of lean body mass — refers to a person with
a BMI of 30+ or at least 30 pounds over their recommended weight:height
Overweight - ANSWERStatus that refers to someone with a BMI of 25-29.9 or who is
between 25-30 pounds over their recommended weight:height
Desirable BMI range for adults - ANSWER18.5-24.9
Blood lipids - ANSWERAlso known as cholesterol and triglycerides, blood lipids are
carried in the bloodstream by protein molecules known as high-density lipoproteins
(HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL)
Diabetes - ANSWERA chronic metabolic disorder, caused by insulin deficiency, which
impairs carbohydrate usage and enhances usage of fat and protein
A main reason why musculoskeletal pain is more common now - ANSWERDue to lack
of physical activity — our lives have become more sedentary
Deconditioned - ANSWERA state of lost physical fitness, which may include muscle
imbalances, decreased flexibility, and a lack of core and joint stability
Proprioception - ANSWERThe cumulative sensory input to the CNS from all
mechanoreceptors that sense body position and limb movement
Prioprioceptively-enriched environment - ANSWERAn unstable yet controllable
physical situation in which exercises are performed, causing the body to use internal
balance and stabilization mechanisms
Integrated training - ANSWERA comprehensive training approach that combines all
the components necessary to help a client achieve optimum performance, including
flexibility training, cardiorespiratory training, core balance, balance training,
pylometric training, speed, agility and quickness training, and resistance training
OPT Model - ANSWERA training program for a society that has more structural
imbalances to injury than ever before
Physiologic benefits of the OPT Model - ANSWERImproves cardiorespiratory
efficiency, enhances beneficial endocrine (hormone) and serum lipid (cholesterol)
adaptations, increases metabolic efficiency (metabolism), increases bone density
,Physical benefits of the OPT Model - ANSWERDecreases body fat, increases lean
body mass, and increases tissue strength (tendons, ligaments, muscles)
Performance benefits of the OPT Model - ANSWERIncreases strength, power,
endurance, flexibility, speed, agility, and balance and coordination
Levels of training within the OPT Model - ANSWERStabilization, strength, power
Phases of training within the OPT Model - ANSWERStabilization, endurance,
hypertrophy, maximal strength, power
Stabilization level - ANSWERThe first phase of training within the OPT Model —
addresses muscular imbalances and attempts to improve stabilization of joints and
overall posture, while focusing on increasing muscular endurance and stability
Muscular endurance - ANSWERA muscle's ability to contract for an extended period
Neuromuscular efficiency - ANSWERThe ability of the neuromuscular system to
enable all muscles to efficiently work together in all planes of motion
Prime mover - ANSWERMuscle that acts as the initial and main source of motive
power
Rate of force production - ANSWERAbility of muscles to exert maximal force output
in a minimal amount of time
Human movement system - ANSWERThe combination and interrelationship of the
nervous, muscular and skeletal systems that makes human movement possible
Nervous system - ANSWERConsists of specialized cells called neurons designed to
transmit and coordinate signals to provide a communication network within the
body — divided into the CNS and PNS
Central nervous system (CNS) - ANSWEROne of the two parts of the nervous system
— is made of the brain and spinal cord and coordinates activity for the body
Peripheral nervous system (PNS) - ANSWEROne of the two parts of the nervous
system — is made up cranial and spinal nerves and connects the CNS to the rest of
the body so it can receive and initiate response
Main functions of the nervous system - ANSWERSensory input, integration, motor
output — responsible for recruiting muscles, learning patterns of movement and
functioning of every organ in the body
,Sensory function - ANSWERThe ability of the nervous system to sense changes in
either the internal (stretch placed on muscle) or external environment (change from
walking on sidewalk to walking on sand)
Integrative function - ANSWERThe ability of the nervous system to analyze and
interpret sensory information to allow proper decision making which produces an
appropriate response
Motor function - ANSWERThe neuromuscular response to the sensory information
Neurons - ANSWERThe functional unit of the nervous system — it's a specialized cell
the processes and transmits information through electric and chemical signals
Axon - ANSWERTransmits nervous impulse to other neurons or effector sites —
provides communication from brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body
Dendrites - ANSWERGather information from other structures and communicates it
back to the neuron
Sensory neurons - ANSWERNeurons that respond to touch, sound, light and other
stimuli and transmit nerve impulses from effector sites to the brain and spinal cord
Interneurons - ANSWERNeurons that transmit nerve impulses from one neuron to
another
Motor neuron - ANSWERNeurons that transmit nerve impulses from the brain and
spinal cord to effector sites (muscles and glands)
Peripheral nerves main functions - ANSWERProvide connection for the nervous
system to activate different effector sites (motor function) and relays information
from effector sites back to the brain via sensory receptors (sensory function)
The subdivisions of the PNS - ANSWERSomatic and autonomic nervous system
Somatic nervous system - ANSWEROne of the 2 subdivisions of the PNS — consists of
nerves that serve outer areas of body and skeletal muscle, responsible for voluntary
control of movement
Autonomic nervous system - ANSWEROne of the 2 subdivisions of the PNS —
supplies neural input to involuntary systems of the body and is further divided into
the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
Sensory receptors - ANSWERSpecialized structures located throughout the body that
convert environmental stimuli into sensory information that the brain and spinal
cord use to produce a response
, Mechanoreceptor - ANSWERSensory receptors responsible for sensing mechanical
forces in body tissues, then transmit signals through sensory nerves — located in
muscles, tendons, ligaments and joint capsules
Muscle spindles - ANSWERSensory receptors within muscles that run parallel to
muscle fibers and are sensitive to change in muscle length and rate of length
changed — helps prevent muscles from stretching too far or too fast
Gogli tendon organs (GTOs) - ANSWERSpecialized sensory receptors located where
skeletal muscle fibers insert into tendons of muscles — sensitive to change in muscle
tension and the rate of tension change, and helps prevent muscle from being placed
under excessive stress
Joint receptors - ANSWERReceptors surrounding a joint that respond to pressure,
acceleration, and deceleration of the joint
Skeletal system - ANSWERThe body's framework, made up of bones and joints —
provides the shape and form of our bodies, supports, protects and allows body
movements
Bones - ANSWERProvides resting ground for muscles and protects vital organs
The 2 parts of the skeletal system - ANSWERAxial and appendicular skeletal
Axial skeleton - ANSWERThe part of the skeleton made up of the skull, rib cage and
vertebral column — approximately 80 bones
Appendicular skeleton - ANSWERThe part of the skeleton made up of upper and
lower extremities, as well as the shoulder and pelvic girdle — approximately 126
bones
Function of bones - ANSWERAct as levers which is acted by on the muscles, and
provides support through the posture
Remodeling - ANSWERProcess of resorption and formation of bone — old bone is
broken down and removed by osteoclasts, while new bone is laid down by cells
called osteoblasts
Osteoclasts - ANSWERA special type of bone cell that removes bone tissue
Osteoblasts - ANSWERA special type of bone cell that helps form bones
How bones are classified - ANSWERBones are classified by their shape, size and
proportion of bone tissue
The major types of bone - ANSWERLong, short, flag, irregular, sesamoid
Solution
Chronic disease - ANSWERIncurable illness or health condition that persists for a year
or more in functional limitations and the need for ongoing medical care
Obesity - ANSWERThe condition of being considerably overweight and having
subcutaneous fat exceeding the amount of lean body mass — refers to a person with
a BMI of 30+ or at least 30 pounds over their recommended weight:height
Overweight - ANSWERStatus that refers to someone with a BMI of 25-29.9 or who is
between 25-30 pounds over their recommended weight:height
Desirable BMI range for adults - ANSWER18.5-24.9
Blood lipids - ANSWERAlso known as cholesterol and triglycerides, blood lipids are
carried in the bloodstream by protein molecules known as high-density lipoproteins
(HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL)
Diabetes - ANSWERA chronic metabolic disorder, caused by insulin deficiency, which
impairs carbohydrate usage and enhances usage of fat and protein
A main reason why musculoskeletal pain is more common now - ANSWERDue to lack
of physical activity — our lives have become more sedentary
Deconditioned - ANSWERA state of lost physical fitness, which may include muscle
imbalances, decreased flexibility, and a lack of core and joint stability
Proprioception - ANSWERThe cumulative sensory input to the CNS from all
mechanoreceptors that sense body position and limb movement
Prioprioceptively-enriched environment - ANSWERAn unstable yet controllable
physical situation in which exercises are performed, causing the body to use internal
balance and stabilization mechanisms
Integrated training - ANSWERA comprehensive training approach that combines all
the components necessary to help a client achieve optimum performance, including
flexibility training, cardiorespiratory training, core balance, balance training,
pylometric training, speed, agility and quickness training, and resistance training
OPT Model - ANSWERA training program for a society that has more structural
imbalances to injury than ever before
Physiologic benefits of the OPT Model - ANSWERImproves cardiorespiratory
efficiency, enhances beneficial endocrine (hormone) and serum lipid (cholesterol)
adaptations, increases metabolic efficiency (metabolism), increases bone density
,Physical benefits of the OPT Model - ANSWERDecreases body fat, increases lean
body mass, and increases tissue strength (tendons, ligaments, muscles)
Performance benefits of the OPT Model - ANSWERIncreases strength, power,
endurance, flexibility, speed, agility, and balance and coordination
Levels of training within the OPT Model - ANSWERStabilization, strength, power
Phases of training within the OPT Model - ANSWERStabilization, endurance,
hypertrophy, maximal strength, power
Stabilization level - ANSWERThe first phase of training within the OPT Model —
addresses muscular imbalances and attempts to improve stabilization of joints and
overall posture, while focusing on increasing muscular endurance and stability
Muscular endurance - ANSWERA muscle's ability to contract for an extended period
Neuromuscular efficiency - ANSWERThe ability of the neuromuscular system to
enable all muscles to efficiently work together in all planes of motion
Prime mover - ANSWERMuscle that acts as the initial and main source of motive
power
Rate of force production - ANSWERAbility of muscles to exert maximal force output
in a minimal amount of time
Human movement system - ANSWERThe combination and interrelationship of the
nervous, muscular and skeletal systems that makes human movement possible
Nervous system - ANSWERConsists of specialized cells called neurons designed to
transmit and coordinate signals to provide a communication network within the
body — divided into the CNS and PNS
Central nervous system (CNS) - ANSWEROne of the two parts of the nervous system
— is made of the brain and spinal cord and coordinates activity for the body
Peripheral nervous system (PNS) - ANSWEROne of the two parts of the nervous
system — is made up cranial and spinal nerves and connects the CNS to the rest of
the body so it can receive and initiate response
Main functions of the nervous system - ANSWERSensory input, integration, motor
output — responsible for recruiting muscles, learning patterns of movement and
functioning of every organ in the body
,Sensory function - ANSWERThe ability of the nervous system to sense changes in
either the internal (stretch placed on muscle) or external environment (change from
walking on sidewalk to walking on sand)
Integrative function - ANSWERThe ability of the nervous system to analyze and
interpret sensory information to allow proper decision making which produces an
appropriate response
Motor function - ANSWERThe neuromuscular response to the sensory information
Neurons - ANSWERThe functional unit of the nervous system — it's a specialized cell
the processes and transmits information through electric and chemical signals
Axon - ANSWERTransmits nervous impulse to other neurons or effector sites —
provides communication from brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body
Dendrites - ANSWERGather information from other structures and communicates it
back to the neuron
Sensory neurons - ANSWERNeurons that respond to touch, sound, light and other
stimuli and transmit nerve impulses from effector sites to the brain and spinal cord
Interneurons - ANSWERNeurons that transmit nerve impulses from one neuron to
another
Motor neuron - ANSWERNeurons that transmit nerve impulses from the brain and
spinal cord to effector sites (muscles and glands)
Peripheral nerves main functions - ANSWERProvide connection for the nervous
system to activate different effector sites (motor function) and relays information
from effector sites back to the brain via sensory receptors (sensory function)
The subdivisions of the PNS - ANSWERSomatic and autonomic nervous system
Somatic nervous system - ANSWEROne of the 2 subdivisions of the PNS — consists of
nerves that serve outer areas of body and skeletal muscle, responsible for voluntary
control of movement
Autonomic nervous system - ANSWEROne of the 2 subdivisions of the PNS —
supplies neural input to involuntary systems of the body and is further divided into
the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
Sensory receptors - ANSWERSpecialized structures located throughout the body that
convert environmental stimuli into sensory information that the brain and spinal
cord use to produce a response
, Mechanoreceptor - ANSWERSensory receptors responsible for sensing mechanical
forces in body tissues, then transmit signals through sensory nerves — located in
muscles, tendons, ligaments and joint capsules
Muscle spindles - ANSWERSensory receptors within muscles that run parallel to
muscle fibers and are sensitive to change in muscle length and rate of length
changed — helps prevent muscles from stretching too far or too fast
Gogli tendon organs (GTOs) - ANSWERSpecialized sensory receptors located where
skeletal muscle fibers insert into tendons of muscles — sensitive to change in muscle
tension and the rate of tension change, and helps prevent muscle from being placed
under excessive stress
Joint receptors - ANSWERReceptors surrounding a joint that respond to pressure,
acceleration, and deceleration of the joint
Skeletal system - ANSWERThe body's framework, made up of bones and joints —
provides the shape and form of our bodies, supports, protects and allows body
movements
Bones - ANSWERProvides resting ground for muscles and protects vital organs
The 2 parts of the skeletal system - ANSWERAxial and appendicular skeletal
Axial skeleton - ANSWERThe part of the skeleton made up of the skull, rib cage and
vertebral column — approximately 80 bones
Appendicular skeleton - ANSWERThe part of the skeleton made up of upper and
lower extremities, as well as the shoulder and pelvic girdle — approximately 126
bones
Function of bones - ANSWERAct as levers which is acted by on the muscles, and
provides support through the posture
Remodeling - ANSWERProcess of resorption and formation of bone — old bone is
broken down and removed by osteoclasts, while new bone is laid down by cells
called osteoblasts
Osteoclasts - ANSWERA special type of bone cell that removes bone tissue
Osteoblasts - ANSWERA special type of bone cell that helps form bones
How bones are classified - ANSWERBones are classified by their shape, size and
proportion of bone tissue
The major types of bone - ANSWERLong, short, flag, irregular, sesamoid
