NCSF CPT EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
What do bones contain? - correct Answer-Organic components such as collagen and
various mineral elements with 98% calcium storage in the body
How does bond mineral density BMD decline over time? - correct Answer-When daily
calcium intake is insufficient
Low bone mineral density leads to what? - correct Answer-Osteopenia and if untreated
to osteoperosis
What is osteoporosis? - correct Answer-Bone disease which causes skeletal structures
to become brittle and fragile
The skeleton consists of which two segments? - correct Answer-Axial and appendicular
What is the axial skeleton? - correct Answer-The skull, hyoid, vertebral column,
sternum, and ribs
What is appendicular skeleton? - correct Answer-limbs and girdles
What type of bones are long bones? - correct Answer-Arms and legs
What type of bones are short bones - correct Answer-Hands and feet
What type of bones are irregular? - correct Answer-Vertebrae
What type of bones are flat? - correct Answer-Scapula
What is a joint? And what are the types? - correct Answer-Intersection of 2 bones, major
types include fibrous, cartilaginous and synovial
Bone length increases until when? - correct Answer-Until the cartilage is ossified in the
epiphyseal plates of long bones; peak bone mass is usually attained by 18 yrs old
What is the epiphyseal plate? - correct Answer-Transverse cartilage plates located near
the end of long bones and responsible for increases in vertical growth during
childhood/adolescence
,What is the synovial joints purpose? - correct Answer-Uses synovial fluid to reduce
frictional stresses and allow for considerable movement between associated articulating
bones
What skeletal system uses synovial joints the most? - correct Answer-Appendicular
What are the synovial joints? - correct Answer-Plane, pivot, hinge, condyloid, saddle,
ball and socket
What does a plane joint do? - correct Answer-Allows bones to slide past each other. Mid
carpal and midtarsal joints (hands and feet)
What's does a pivot joint do? - correct Answer-Allows rotation around and axis. Found in
neck and forearm
What does a hinge joint do? - correct Answer-Allows extension and retraction of an
appendage. Hinge joints are found in the knees, elbows, fingers and toes
What does a condyloid joint do? - correct Answer-Similar to call and socket but with less
movement. The wrist
What does a saddle joint do? - correct Answer-Allows movement back and forth and up
and down. The only one is the thumb
What does the ball and socket joint do? - correct Answer-Allows for radical movement in
almost any direction. Shoulders and hips
Ligaments and tendons do what for joints? - correct Answer-Provide structural support
What are the 3 types of muscle? - correct Answer-Skeletal
Cardiac
Smooth
What is muscle fascia? - correct Answer-Fibrous connective tissue that encapsulates
full muscles as well as bundles of fibers; provides the muscles shape and regulated
tension/transfer of force across joints
How is nerve info carried? - correct Answer-Action potentials
What is an action potential? - correct Answer-Wave like electrical charge in a cell
membrane that signals the cascade of events leading to a muscular contraction
Where does action potential current travel to? - correct Answer-Motor neurons which
connect to specific fibers (motor unit)
,What is a motor unit? - correct Answer-Motor neuron and all the muscle fibers it
innervates
Sliding filament theory - correct Answer-Action potential travels down T tubule. This
stimulates sarcoplasmic reticulum to release calcium ions which unlock the bond
between actin and troponin
When troponin is moved from calcium activity, myosin can attach to actin forming a
cross bridge
ATP is split at the myosin-actin attachment site which releases energy and allows the
myosin head to slide the actin to contract (shorten) the muscle fiber
What state is a muscle fiber in? - correct Answer-Either in a state of producing max
tension or not producing any tension at all- know as "all or none"
What are the 2 types of motor unit firing patterns? - correct Answer-Synchronized firing
Asynchronous firing
What is synchronized firing? - correct Answer-Employed during high output demands
involving fast twitch fibers and warranting significant fiber recruitment
What is asynchronous firing? - correct Answer-Employed during endurance activities
involving slow twitch fibers which conserve motor unit potential, allowing prolonged work
Agonist and antagonist - correct Answer-Agonist- bicep in curl antagonist- tricep in curl
What is isotonic muscle contraction? - correct Answer-Tension remains constant while
joint angles change; seen during most exercises that include acceleration and
deceleration component
What is concentric muscle contraction? - correct Answer-Occurs during acceleration
phase of a lift as the muscle shortens
What is eccentric muscle contraction? - correct Answer-Occurs during deceleration
phase of a lift as the muscle lengthens
What is isometric muscle contraction? - correct Answer-Tension is Created but no joint
angles change- common in stabilizers
What is isokinetic muscle contraction? - correct Answer-Involves a constant speed of
movement; requires specialized rehab equipment
What is the Sagittal plane of movement? - correct Answer-Splits body into left and right
halves; includes exercises that require forward and back movement (lunges).
, What is the frontal plane of movement? - correct Answer-Splits the body into front and
back halves includes exercises that require side to side movement (lateral raises)
What is transverse plane of movement? - correct Answer-Splits body into top and
bottom halves; includes exercise that's require rotation (oblique twists)
What is the midline? - correct Answer-The median plane of the body
What is the anterior axillary line? - correct Answer-Runs down forward crease of the
arm pit
midaxillary line - correct Answer-A perpendicular line drawn downward from the apex of
the axilla (armpit)
What is ipsilateral? - correct Answer-on the same side of the body
What is contralateral? - correct Answer-on the opposite side of the body
What is superficial? - correct Answer-Shallow proximity in relation to surface
What is deep? - correct Answer-Extending inward in relation to surface layer
What are the 5 regions of the vertebral column? - correct Answer-Cervical (7)
Thoracic (12)
Lumbar (5)
Sacrum and coccyx (9 fused)
Proper postural position is what? - correct Answer-Neutral spine
lordotic curve? - correct Answer-Concave inward curve
Kyphotic curve? - correct Answer-Convex (outward curve)
What are spinal joints separated by? - correct Answer-Intervertebral discs that serve as
cushion during movement
When is the only time a pelvis shouldn't be neutral during exercise? - correct Answer-
During abdominal crunches- needs posterior tilt for proper muscle activation
Bending backward is what? - correct Answer-Hyper extension
Bending forward is what? - correct Answer-Flexion
Going from flexion to standing is what? - correct Answer-Extrnsion
Leaning to the left is what? - correct Answer-Lateral flexion to left
ANSWERS
What do bones contain? - correct Answer-Organic components such as collagen and
various mineral elements with 98% calcium storage in the body
How does bond mineral density BMD decline over time? - correct Answer-When daily
calcium intake is insufficient
Low bone mineral density leads to what? - correct Answer-Osteopenia and if untreated
to osteoperosis
What is osteoporosis? - correct Answer-Bone disease which causes skeletal structures
to become brittle and fragile
The skeleton consists of which two segments? - correct Answer-Axial and appendicular
What is the axial skeleton? - correct Answer-The skull, hyoid, vertebral column,
sternum, and ribs
What is appendicular skeleton? - correct Answer-limbs and girdles
What type of bones are long bones? - correct Answer-Arms and legs
What type of bones are short bones - correct Answer-Hands and feet
What type of bones are irregular? - correct Answer-Vertebrae
What type of bones are flat? - correct Answer-Scapula
What is a joint? And what are the types? - correct Answer-Intersection of 2 bones, major
types include fibrous, cartilaginous and synovial
Bone length increases until when? - correct Answer-Until the cartilage is ossified in the
epiphyseal plates of long bones; peak bone mass is usually attained by 18 yrs old
What is the epiphyseal plate? - correct Answer-Transverse cartilage plates located near
the end of long bones and responsible for increases in vertical growth during
childhood/adolescence
,What is the synovial joints purpose? - correct Answer-Uses synovial fluid to reduce
frictional stresses and allow for considerable movement between associated articulating
bones
What skeletal system uses synovial joints the most? - correct Answer-Appendicular
What are the synovial joints? - correct Answer-Plane, pivot, hinge, condyloid, saddle,
ball and socket
What does a plane joint do? - correct Answer-Allows bones to slide past each other. Mid
carpal and midtarsal joints (hands and feet)
What's does a pivot joint do? - correct Answer-Allows rotation around and axis. Found in
neck and forearm
What does a hinge joint do? - correct Answer-Allows extension and retraction of an
appendage. Hinge joints are found in the knees, elbows, fingers and toes
What does a condyloid joint do? - correct Answer-Similar to call and socket but with less
movement. The wrist
What does a saddle joint do? - correct Answer-Allows movement back and forth and up
and down. The only one is the thumb
What does the ball and socket joint do? - correct Answer-Allows for radical movement in
almost any direction. Shoulders and hips
Ligaments and tendons do what for joints? - correct Answer-Provide structural support
What are the 3 types of muscle? - correct Answer-Skeletal
Cardiac
Smooth
What is muscle fascia? - correct Answer-Fibrous connective tissue that encapsulates
full muscles as well as bundles of fibers; provides the muscles shape and regulated
tension/transfer of force across joints
How is nerve info carried? - correct Answer-Action potentials
What is an action potential? - correct Answer-Wave like electrical charge in a cell
membrane that signals the cascade of events leading to a muscular contraction
Where does action potential current travel to? - correct Answer-Motor neurons which
connect to specific fibers (motor unit)
,What is a motor unit? - correct Answer-Motor neuron and all the muscle fibers it
innervates
Sliding filament theory - correct Answer-Action potential travels down T tubule. This
stimulates sarcoplasmic reticulum to release calcium ions which unlock the bond
between actin and troponin
When troponin is moved from calcium activity, myosin can attach to actin forming a
cross bridge
ATP is split at the myosin-actin attachment site which releases energy and allows the
myosin head to slide the actin to contract (shorten) the muscle fiber
What state is a muscle fiber in? - correct Answer-Either in a state of producing max
tension or not producing any tension at all- know as "all or none"
What are the 2 types of motor unit firing patterns? - correct Answer-Synchronized firing
Asynchronous firing
What is synchronized firing? - correct Answer-Employed during high output demands
involving fast twitch fibers and warranting significant fiber recruitment
What is asynchronous firing? - correct Answer-Employed during endurance activities
involving slow twitch fibers which conserve motor unit potential, allowing prolonged work
Agonist and antagonist - correct Answer-Agonist- bicep in curl antagonist- tricep in curl
What is isotonic muscle contraction? - correct Answer-Tension remains constant while
joint angles change; seen during most exercises that include acceleration and
deceleration component
What is concentric muscle contraction? - correct Answer-Occurs during acceleration
phase of a lift as the muscle shortens
What is eccentric muscle contraction? - correct Answer-Occurs during deceleration
phase of a lift as the muscle lengthens
What is isometric muscle contraction? - correct Answer-Tension is Created but no joint
angles change- common in stabilizers
What is isokinetic muscle contraction? - correct Answer-Involves a constant speed of
movement; requires specialized rehab equipment
What is the Sagittal plane of movement? - correct Answer-Splits body into left and right
halves; includes exercises that require forward and back movement (lunges).
, What is the frontal plane of movement? - correct Answer-Splits the body into front and
back halves includes exercises that require side to side movement (lateral raises)
What is transverse plane of movement? - correct Answer-Splits body into top and
bottom halves; includes exercise that's require rotation (oblique twists)
What is the midline? - correct Answer-The median plane of the body
What is the anterior axillary line? - correct Answer-Runs down forward crease of the
arm pit
midaxillary line - correct Answer-A perpendicular line drawn downward from the apex of
the axilla (armpit)
What is ipsilateral? - correct Answer-on the same side of the body
What is contralateral? - correct Answer-on the opposite side of the body
What is superficial? - correct Answer-Shallow proximity in relation to surface
What is deep? - correct Answer-Extending inward in relation to surface layer
What are the 5 regions of the vertebral column? - correct Answer-Cervical (7)
Thoracic (12)
Lumbar (5)
Sacrum and coccyx (9 fused)
Proper postural position is what? - correct Answer-Neutral spine
lordotic curve? - correct Answer-Concave inward curve
Kyphotic curve? - correct Answer-Convex (outward curve)
What are spinal joints separated by? - correct Answer-Intervertebral discs that serve as
cushion during movement
When is the only time a pelvis shouldn't be neutral during exercise? - correct Answer-
During abdominal crunches- needs posterior tilt for proper muscle activation
Bending backward is what? - correct Answer-Hyper extension
Bending forward is what? - correct Answer-Flexion
Going from flexion to standing is what? - correct Answer-Extrnsion
Leaning to the left is what? - correct Answer-Lateral flexion to left
