AEA CERTIFICATION COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED
A+
◉ What i the maximum force that can be exerted by a muscle or muscle
group against a resistance. Answer: muscular strength
◉ What is the sliding filament theory? Answer: Bands of actin &
myosin do NOT change length to cause the muscle to contract, rather
they slide over each other.
◉ What is tempo? Answer: Cadence or speed of movement
◉ What is impact? Answer: Depends on body position and movement
technique. All options can be performed at various intensities
◉ What are the 3 aquatic tempos used? Answer: Land, water, 1/2 water
◉ What are the impact options for aquatics? Answer: Levels 1,2,3
combined levels
Grounded/ anchored
,Propelled, elevated
water specific
◉ How do you alter aquatic intensity? Answer: inertia
acceleration
action & reaction
frontal resistance
levers
◉ What type of stretching activates the muscle spindles, specialized
receptors in the muscle that monitor muscle length change and the speed
of muscle length change? Answer: ballistic stretching
◉ What are the six skill-related components of fitness. Answer: balance,
coordination, speed, power, agility, and reaction time
◉ What is maximal heart rate? Answer: highest heart rate a person can
achieve.
measured with a max HR test or estimated with 220- age.
◉ What is heart rate reserve? Answer: your maximal HR minus your
resting heart rate.
, ◉ ow is your HR lowered through compression in the water? Answer:
water compresses all the body systems, including the vascular system,
causing a smaller venous load to the heart, reducing heart rate.
◉ What is the recommended frequency for resistance training? Answer:
two to three days/week for each major muscle group
◉ What is body composition? Answer: the body's relative percentage of
fat as compared to lean tissue (bones, muscles, and organs)
◉ What are five benefits of regular exercise? Answer: improves physical
appearance
increases functional capacity
heart becomes stronger
strengthens the walls of the blood vessels
improves strength and endurance
◉ When calculating exercise intensity, a popular method is the
Karvonen Formula, which is also known as the ____. Answer: Heart
Rate Reserve method
◉ ____ is a subjective method of assessing effort, strain, discomfort,
and fatigue experienced during exercise. Answer: rating of perceived
exertion
2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED
A+
◉ What i the maximum force that can be exerted by a muscle or muscle
group against a resistance. Answer: muscular strength
◉ What is the sliding filament theory? Answer: Bands of actin &
myosin do NOT change length to cause the muscle to contract, rather
they slide over each other.
◉ What is tempo? Answer: Cadence or speed of movement
◉ What is impact? Answer: Depends on body position and movement
technique. All options can be performed at various intensities
◉ What are the 3 aquatic tempos used? Answer: Land, water, 1/2 water
◉ What are the impact options for aquatics? Answer: Levels 1,2,3
combined levels
Grounded/ anchored
,Propelled, elevated
water specific
◉ How do you alter aquatic intensity? Answer: inertia
acceleration
action & reaction
frontal resistance
levers
◉ What type of stretching activates the muscle spindles, specialized
receptors in the muscle that monitor muscle length change and the speed
of muscle length change? Answer: ballistic stretching
◉ What are the six skill-related components of fitness. Answer: balance,
coordination, speed, power, agility, and reaction time
◉ What is maximal heart rate? Answer: highest heart rate a person can
achieve.
measured with a max HR test or estimated with 220- age.
◉ What is heart rate reserve? Answer: your maximal HR minus your
resting heart rate.
, ◉ ow is your HR lowered through compression in the water? Answer:
water compresses all the body systems, including the vascular system,
causing a smaller venous load to the heart, reducing heart rate.
◉ What is the recommended frequency for resistance training? Answer:
two to three days/week for each major muscle group
◉ What is body composition? Answer: the body's relative percentage of
fat as compared to lean tissue (bones, muscles, and organs)
◉ What are five benefits of regular exercise? Answer: improves physical
appearance
increases functional capacity
heart becomes stronger
strengthens the walls of the blood vessels
improves strength and endurance
◉ When calculating exercise intensity, a popular method is the
Karvonen Formula, which is also known as the ____. Answer: Heart
Rate Reserve method
◉ ____ is a subjective method of assessing effort, strain, discomfort,
and fatigue experienced during exercise. Answer: rating of perceived
exertion
