ACSM –EP Exam Questions and answers with complete solutions 2025 | Verified
underweight BMI - ✔✔<18.5 kg/m2
normal BMI - ✔✔18.5-24.9
overweight BMI - ✔✔25-29.9
obesity class I BMI - ✔✔30-34.9
obesity class II BMI - ✔✔35-39.9
obesity class III BMI - ✔✔≥ 40
normal BP - ✔✔SBP < 120 and DBP <80
prehypertension BP - ✔✔SBP 120-139 or DBP 80-89
hypertension stage I BP - ✔✔SBP 140-159 or DBP 90-99
hypertension stage II BP - ✔✔SBP ≤ 160 or DBP ≤ 100
What is the VO2R calculation? - ✔✔VO₂R = [(VO₂max-VO₂rest) × %intensity] + VO₂rest
What is VO2 at rest? - ✔✔3.5
Transtheoretical model (TTM) stage of change when client does not plan to be regularly active in next 6
months - ✔✔Precontemplation
,Transtheoretical model (TTM) stage of change when client intends to be regularly active in the next 6
months - ✔✔Contemplation
Transtheoretical model (TTM) stage of change when client has been regularly active for less than 6
months - ✔✔Action
Transtheoretical model (TTM) stage of change when client has been regularly active for more than 6
months - ✔✔Maintenance
Behavior model that states people are likely to change a behavior if that if that current behavior poses a
perceived serious health problem, the threat is severe and the person perceives themselves to be
susceptible to the threat - ✔✔Health Belief Model (HBM)
Behavior model that is based on reciprocal determinism; that is, the individual
(emotion/personality/cognition), behavior (past/current achievement), and environment
(physical/cultural/social) all interact to influence behavior - ✔✔Social Cognitive Theory (SCT)
Behavior model that includes 5 stages of change. It also includes decisional balance and weighing the
pros and cons - ✔✔Transtheoretical Model (TTM)
Behavior model that assumes clients have 3 needs psychosocial needs they are trying to satisfy. -
✔✔Self-Determination Theory (SDT)
What are the 3 needs from the Self-Determination Theory? - ✔✔1. self-determination or autonomy
2. demonstration of competence or mastery
3. relatedness or the ability to experience social interactions with others
Behavior model that states intention is the main factor in the likelihood someone will exercise. Intention
is affected by attitude towards behavior, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control. -
✔✔Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)
, Behavioral model that considers the connections between people and their environment. - ✔✔Social
Ecological Models
In the theory of planned behavior (TPB), what affects perceived behavioral control? - ✔✔1. perceived
power (of the barrier or facilitator)
2. control beliefs (belief about how easy or difficult exe will be)
In the theory of planned behavior (TPB), what affects subjective norm? - ✔✔1. normative beliefs (belief
that others want him to be active)
2. motivation to comply
In the theory of planned behavior (TPB), what affects attitude towards behavior? - ✔✔1. behavioral
beliefs (that exe will lead to + or - outcomes)
2. evaluation of behavioral outcomes (the evaluation of those outcomes)
Counseling style that "takes the clients perspective into account, features collaboration between the
client and the practitioner, and includes genuine respect for the client's opinions" - ✔✔Client-centered
approach
What is the best ways to increase self-efficacy in a client? - ✔✔Have them watch others who are similar
to them change their behaviors (ie providing vicarious experiences)
What strategies can you use to help a client who is in action stage of TTM? - ✔✔-Helping relationship
(enlisting social support)
-Stimulus control (using reminders and cues to encourage PA)
-Counterconditioning (sub healthy alternatives for unhealthy)
-Reinforcement management (using rewards)
What strategies can you use to help a client who is in the preparation stage of TTM? - ✔✔-self-liberation
(committing to change)
-social liberation (realizing society is supportive of change)
underweight BMI - ✔✔<18.5 kg/m2
normal BMI - ✔✔18.5-24.9
overweight BMI - ✔✔25-29.9
obesity class I BMI - ✔✔30-34.9
obesity class II BMI - ✔✔35-39.9
obesity class III BMI - ✔✔≥ 40
normal BP - ✔✔SBP < 120 and DBP <80
prehypertension BP - ✔✔SBP 120-139 or DBP 80-89
hypertension stage I BP - ✔✔SBP 140-159 or DBP 90-99
hypertension stage II BP - ✔✔SBP ≤ 160 or DBP ≤ 100
What is the VO2R calculation? - ✔✔VO₂R = [(VO₂max-VO₂rest) × %intensity] + VO₂rest
What is VO2 at rest? - ✔✔3.5
Transtheoretical model (TTM) stage of change when client does not plan to be regularly active in next 6
months - ✔✔Precontemplation
,Transtheoretical model (TTM) stage of change when client intends to be regularly active in the next 6
months - ✔✔Contemplation
Transtheoretical model (TTM) stage of change when client has been regularly active for less than 6
months - ✔✔Action
Transtheoretical model (TTM) stage of change when client has been regularly active for more than 6
months - ✔✔Maintenance
Behavior model that states people are likely to change a behavior if that if that current behavior poses a
perceived serious health problem, the threat is severe and the person perceives themselves to be
susceptible to the threat - ✔✔Health Belief Model (HBM)
Behavior model that is based on reciprocal determinism; that is, the individual
(emotion/personality/cognition), behavior (past/current achievement), and environment
(physical/cultural/social) all interact to influence behavior - ✔✔Social Cognitive Theory (SCT)
Behavior model that includes 5 stages of change. It also includes decisional balance and weighing the
pros and cons - ✔✔Transtheoretical Model (TTM)
Behavior model that assumes clients have 3 needs psychosocial needs they are trying to satisfy. -
✔✔Self-Determination Theory (SDT)
What are the 3 needs from the Self-Determination Theory? - ✔✔1. self-determination or autonomy
2. demonstration of competence or mastery
3. relatedness or the ability to experience social interactions with others
Behavior model that states intention is the main factor in the likelihood someone will exercise. Intention
is affected by attitude towards behavior, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control. -
✔✔Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)
, Behavioral model that considers the connections between people and their environment. - ✔✔Social
Ecological Models
In the theory of planned behavior (TPB), what affects perceived behavioral control? - ✔✔1. perceived
power (of the barrier or facilitator)
2. control beliefs (belief about how easy or difficult exe will be)
In the theory of planned behavior (TPB), what affects subjective norm? - ✔✔1. normative beliefs (belief
that others want him to be active)
2. motivation to comply
In the theory of planned behavior (TPB), what affects attitude towards behavior? - ✔✔1. behavioral
beliefs (that exe will lead to + or - outcomes)
2. evaluation of behavioral outcomes (the evaluation of those outcomes)
Counseling style that "takes the clients perspective into account, features collaboration between the
client and the practitioner, and includes genuine respect for the client's opinions" - ✔✔Client-centered
approach
What is the best ways to increase self-efficacy in a client? - ✔✔Have them watch others who are similar
to them change their behaviors (ie providing vicarious experiences)
What strategies can you use to help a client who is in action stage of TTM? - ✔✔-Helping relationship
(enlisting social support)
-Stimulus control (using reminders and cues to encourage PA)
-Counterconditioning (sub healthy alternatives for unhealthy)
-Reinforcement management (using rewards)
What strategies can you use to help a client who is in the preparation stage of TTM? - ✔✔-self-liberation
(committing to change)
-social liberation (realizing society is supportive of change)
