ISSA Personal Training Final Exam (2025/2026
Latest Update) | Complete Exam Prep &
Verified Q&A PDF
For a skinfold body composition assessment, what sites are used for the three-site body
density method for females? - correct answerTriceps, suprailiac, thigh
The PACER test is a fitness assessment used for what special population? - correct
answerYouth
What is the term for blood circulation within the heart and lungs? - correct
answerPulmonary circulation
What does the S in SMART goals stand for? - correct answerspecific
Which term describes movement toward the midline of the body? - correct
answerAdduction
According to the CDC, what is the definition of sanitizing? - correct answerCleaning and
killing germs on surfaces to bring the microbe level to an acceptable range
According to the American Heart Association, what is considered a 'normal' blood
pressure? - correct answer110/80 mm Hg
What is the definition of quickness as it relates to the element of reactive training? -
correct answerThe ability to react and change body position with maximum rate of force
production
What is the condition of low blood pressure measuring 90/60 mm Hg or less? - correct
answerHypotension
Which principle of fitness states that a training program must be specific for an
individual's goals and desired adaptations? - correct answerPrinciple of specificity
In the OARS model for behavior change, recapping the plan of action is part of which
technique? - correct answerSummarizing
According to the CDC, what is the definition of cleaning? - correct answerRemoving dirt
and impurities from a surface with a detergent and water
Which body composition measurement utilizes calipers? - correct answerSkinfold
measurements
,Which client form allows clients to understand and accept any and all risks associated
with beginning an exercise program? - correct answerLiability waiver
When attracting new clients, which of the following is the most effective way for a trainer
to find new prospects? - correct answerHire an advertising firm
Which of the following is a common site to measure the pulse in humans? - correct
answerRadial artery
Which advanced training technique is described as completing one set of an exercise
until failure before immediately lowering the weight and continuing the set until failure
again? - correct answerDrop sets
Which estimated maximum heart rate formula is used for clients with high blood
pressure? - correct answer162 - (0.7 x age)
Which relatively common chronic health condition is characterized by bronchial spasms
that make it difficult to breathe effectively? - correct answerAsthma
Microtearing that occurs during which muscle action is responsible for delayed onset
muscle soreness (DOMS)? - correct answerEccentric
Which type of neuron sends information from the central nervous system to the muscles
to generate movement? - correct answerEfferent neuron
What is the average bodyfat percentage for females? - correct answer25 to 31 percent
Which heart rate zones are generally anaerobic in nature? - correct answerZones 4 and
5
What is the purpose of a business plan? - correct answerTo outline how a business will
be operated
What term represents the six anatomical locations of predictable movement patterns
where movement dysfunctions can be detected? - correct answerKinetic chain
checkpoints
In marketing, what is the definition of a "target market?" - correct answerThe particular
group(s) of consumers that a product or service targets
During the overhead squat assessment, which of the following muscles may likely be
overactive (tight) if the arms fall forward? - correct answerLatissimus dorsi
,Which of the following is a statement from the ISSA Code of Ethics for a fitness
professional? - correct answerUse their best judgment when selecting and progressing
exercises for each client.
In the ATP/CP energy pathway, what molecule lends a phosphate group to ADP to
regenerate ATP for future energy needs? - correct answerCreatine phosphate (CP)
What type of fitness training can affect the hormone erythropoietin (EPO)? - correct
answerAltitude training
What is defined as the amount of force that can be created by a muscle or group of
muscles? - correct answerStrength
What postural and movement deviation occurs when the knees excessively bow inward
toward the midline? - correct answerKnee valgus
What type of warm-up intentionally mimics the movements that will be a part of the
workout to follow it? - correct answerDynamic warm-up
SMART goal intentions, monitoring, and feedback are all part of what process? - correct
answerGoal setting
What hormone can the ergogenic aid caffeine help to stimulate? - correct
answerEpinephrine
What training intensity is required during the working rounds in high-intensity interval
training (HIIT)? - correct answer85 percent or more of V02 max
As it relates to the GAS Principle, what is the post-training period when the trained
function has a higher performance capacity than prior to the training period? - correct
answerSupercompensation
What is the definition of hypertrophy? - correct answerAn increase in muscular size
A movement that keeps the distal end of the body segment fixed in one location
describes what type of kinetic chain movement? - correct answerClosed kinetic chain
movement
A ketogenic diet limits the intake of which macronutrient? - correct
answerCarbohydrates
What type of motivation is driven by a reward, prize, or recognition? - correct
answerExtrinsic motivation
Which of the following is equipment with a constant resistance? - correct
answerDumbbell
, What term is described as the volume of blood the left ventricle pushes out in a single
heartbeat? - correct answerStroke volume
Which of the following is a primary risk factor for coronary heart disease? - correct
answerHigh blood pressure
When using email marketing, what is the ideal weekly email frequency for marketing
and communicating with clients? - correct answerTwo to three per week
Which of the following is a primary function of the cardiorespiratory system during
exercise? - correct answerImprovement of muscular coordination
What type of training periodization progresses from low intensity to high intensity across
a macrocycle? - correct answerLinear periodization
Which of the following emergency situations requires a fitness professional to call 911
immediately? - correct answerHeavy bleeding
What type of nonverbal communication are speech components like tone, pitch, facial
expressions, and hesitation noises? - correct answerParalanguage
Where in the cell do the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain occur? - correct
answerMitochondria
When considering exercise order, what should be a priority before completing
accessory exercises? - correct answerA cooldown
Which strength curve most accurately represents a biceps curl exercise? - correct
answerBell-shaped strength curve
What medical emergency can occur when there is too much insulin in the body? -
correct answerInsulin shock
What is the ideal height of the step or platform used during the step test assessment? -
correct answer24 inches
Which kinetic chain checkpoint should be observed carefully because it controls the
movement of the lower extremities? - correct answerThe knee
In the alveoli of the lungs, air crosses into and out of the capillaries by what process? -
correct answerDiffusion
What term is described as the greatest volume of air that can be expelled from the lungs
after taking the deepest breath possible? - correct answerVital capacity
Latest Update) | Complete Exam Prep &
Verified Q&A PDF
For a skinfold body composition assessment, what sites are used for the three-site body
density method for females? - correct answerTriceps, suprailiac, thigh
The PACER test is a fitness assessment used for what special population? - correct
answerYouth
What is the term for blood circulation within the heart and lungs? - correct
answerPulmonary circulation
What does the S in SMART goals stand for? - correct answerspecific
Which term describes movement toward the midline of the body? - correct
answerAdduction
According to the CDC, what is the definition of sanitizing? - correct answerCleaning and
killing germs on surfaces to bring the microbe level to an acceptable range
According to the American Heart Association, what is considered a 'normal' blood
pressure? - correct answer110/80 mm Hg
What is the definition of quickness as it relates to the element of reactive training? -
correct answerThe ability to react and change body position with maximum rate of force
production
What is the condition of low blood pressure measuring 90/60 mm Hg or less? - correct
answerHypotension
Which principle of fitness states that a training program must be specific for an
individual's goals and desired adaptations? - correct answerPrinciple of specificity
In the OARS model for behavior change, recapping the plan of action is part of which
technique? - correct answerSummarizing
According to the CDC, what is the definition of cleaning? - correct answerRemoving dirt
and impurities from a surface with a detergent and water
Which body composition measurement utilizes calipers? - correct answerSkinfold
measurements
,Which client form allows clients to understand and accept any and all risks associated
with beginning an exercise program? - correct answerLiability waiver
When attracting new clients, which of the following is the most effective way for a trainer
to find new prospects? - correct answerHire an advertising firm
Which of the following is a common site to measure the pulse in humans? - correct
answerRadial artery
Which advanced training technique is described as completing one set of an exercise
until failure before immediately lowering the weight and continuing the set until failure
again? - correct answerDrop sets
Which estimated maximum heart rate formula is used for clients with high blood
pressure? - correct answer162 - (0.7 x age)
Which relatively common chronic health condition is characterized by bronchial spasms
that make it difficult to breathe effectively? - correct answerAsthma
Microtearing that occurs during which muscle action is responsible for delayed onset
muscle soreness (DOMS)? - correct answerEccentric
Which type of neuron sends information from the central nervous system to the muscles
to generate movement? - correct answerEfferent neuron
What is the average bodyfat percentage for females? - correct answer25 to 31 percent
Which heart rate zones are generally anaerobic in nature? - correct answerZones 4 and
5
What is the purpose of a business plan? - correct answerTo outline how a business will
be operated
What term represents the six anatomical locations of predictable movement patterns
where movement dysfunctions can be detected? - correct answerKinetic chain
checkpoints
In marketing, what is the definition of a "target market?" - correct answerThe particular
group(s) of consumers that a product or service targets
During the overhead squat assessment, which of the following muscles may likely be
overactive (tight) if the arms fall forward? - correct answerLatissimus dorsi
,Which of the following is a statement from the ISSA Code of Ethics for a fitness
professional? - correct answerUse their best judgment when selecting and progressing
exercises for each client.
In the ATP/CP energy pathway, what molecule lends a phosphate group to ADP to
regenerate ATP for future energy needs? - correct answerCreatine phosphate (CP)
What type of fitness training can affect the hormone erythropoietin (EPO)? - correct
answerAltitude training
What is defined as the amount of force that can be created by a muscle or group of
muscles? - correct answerStrength
What postural and movement deviation occurs when the knees excessively bow inward
toward the midline? - correct answerKnee valgus
What type of warm-up intentionally mimics the movements that will be a part of the
workout to follow it? - correct answerDynamic warm-up
SMART goal intentions, monitoring, and feedback are all part of what process? - correct
answerGoal setting
What hormone can the ergogenic aid caffeine help to stimulate? - correct
answerEpinephrine
What training intensity is required during the working rounds in high-intensity interval
training (HIIT)? - correct answer85 percent or more of V02 max
As it relates to the GAS Principle, what is the post-training period when the trained
function has a higher performance capacity than prior to the training period? - correct
answerSupercompensation
What is the definition of hypertrophy? - correct answerAn increase in muscular size
A movement that keeps the distal end of the body segment fixed in one location
describes what type of kinetic chain movement? - correct answerClosed kinetic chain
movement
A ketogenic diet limits the intake of which macronutrient? - correct
answerCarbohydrates
What type of motivation is driven by a reward, prize, or recognition? - correct
answerExtrinsic motivation
Which of the following is equipment with a constant resistance? - correct
answerDumbbell
, What term is described as the volume of blood the left ventricle pushes out in a single
heartbeat? - correct answerStroke volume
Which of the following is a primary risk factor for coronary heart disease? - correct
answerHigh blood pressure
When using email marketing, what is the ideal weekly email frequency for marketing
and communicating with clients? - correct answerTwo to three per week
Which of the following is a primary function of the cardiorespiratory system during
exercise? - correct answerImprovement of muscular coordination
What type of training periodization progresses from low intensity to high intensity across
a macrocycle? - correct answerLinear periodization
Which of the following emergency situations requires a fitness professional to call 911
immediately? - correct answerHeavy bleeding
What type of nonverbal communication are speech components like tone, pitch, facial
expressions, and hesitation noises? - correct answerParalanguage
Where in the cell do the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain occur? - correct
answerMitochondria
When considering exercise order, what should be a priority before completing
accessory exercises? - correct answerA cooldown
Which strength curve most accurately represents a biceps curl exercise? - correct
answerBell-shaped strength curve
What medical emergency can occur when there is too much insulin in the body? -
correct answerInsulin shock
What is the ideal height of the step or platform used during the step test assessment? -
correct answer24 inches
Which kinetic chain checkpoint should be observed carefully because it controls the
movement of the lower extremities? - correct answerThe knee
In the alveoli of the lungs, air crosses into and out of the capillaries by what process? -
correct answerDiffusion
What term is described as the greatest volume of air that can be expelled from the lungs
after taking the deepest breath possible? - correct answerVital capacity
