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ISSA Final Exam ALL ANSWERS 100% SOLVED 2026/2027 EDITION RATED
GRADE A+
Question 1
When assessing shoulder function in a client who wants to improve overhead strength, which
muscle is considered the primary mover responsible for lifting the arm sideways away from
the body during abduction exercises?
A. Pectoralis major
B. Deltoid
C. Latissimus dorsi
D. Trapezius
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The middle fibers of the deltoid are the primary movers for shoulder abduction. Pectoralis
major contributes mainly to adduction and internal rotation, latissimus dorsi assists in
adduction and extension, and trapezius stabilizes the scapula rather than initiating abduction.
Question 2
During a comprehensive client assessment aimed at evaluating overall health and physical
fitness, which measurement provides the most direct estimate of a client’s body composition,
rather than cardiovascular fitness or muscular endurance?
A. Resting heart rate
B. Skinfold thickness measurement
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C. VO2 max test
D. One-rep max squat
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Skinfold measurements estimate body fat percentage, providing insight into body
composition. Resting heart rate evaluates cardiovascular function, VO2 max measures
aerobic capacity, and one-rep max tests muscular strength.
Question 3
A client is following a progressive resistance training program to increase upper-body
strength. Which principle of training dictates that the workload must gradually increase over
time to continue producing adaptations in muscle size and strength?
A. Specificity
B. Overload
C. Reversibility
D. Individualization
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The overload principle states that a system adapts when it is challenged with greater stress
than it is accustomed to. Specificity refers to targeting specific muscles, reversibility is the
loss of adaptations when training stops, and individualization tailors training to the client.
Question 4
In the context of designing a cardiovascular training program for a client who is overweight
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and has low fitness levels, which of the following recommendations reflects the most
appropriate starting intensity according to ACSM guidelines?
A. 85–95% of maximum heart rate
B. 40–60% of heart rate reserve
C. 70–80% of VO2 max
D. 90–100% of maximum oxygen uptake
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
For beginners and low-fitness clients, 40–60% of heart rate reserve ensures safety while
providing sufficient stimulus. Higher percentages risk injury or excessive fatigue.
Question 5
When evaluating a client’s nutritional habits as part of a holistic fitness assessment, which
approach is most effective for identifying patterns of caloric intake, macronutrient
distribution, and potential deficiencies over a typical week?
A. 24-hour recall interview
B. Food frequency questionnaire covering several days
C. One-time grocery store inspection
D. Relying solely on BMI measurements
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
A food frequency questionnaire over multiple days captures patterns, while a 24-hour recall
provides only a snapshot, grocery inspection may not be comprehensive, and BMI does not
reflect nutrient intake.
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Question 6
During a functional movement assessment, a client demonstrates excessive forward lean
during a squat. Which limitation is most likely contributing to this movement pattern and
may require targeted mobility or strengthening interventions?
A. Tight hamstrings or limited ankle dorsiflexion
B. Weak biceps brachii
C. Overactive deltoid muscles
D. Excessive hip flexor flexibility
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Limited ankle dorsiflexion or tight hamstrings restrict squatting depth and force forward lean.
Biceps brachii and deltoid do not affect squatting mechanics, and excessive hip flexibility
rarely causes forward lean.
Question 7
A client’s goal is to increase lean muscle mass while minimizing fat gain. Which dietary
strategy best supports hypertrophy when paired with a structured resistance training program?
A. High-protein diet with moderate caloric surplus
B. Severe caloric restriction with low protein
C. High-fat, low-protein diet
D. Randomized caloric intake with intermittent fasting only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Protein supports muscle repair and growth, and a moderate caloric surplus provides the
ISSA Final Exam ALL ANSWERS 100% SOLVED 2026/2027 EDITION RATED
GRADE A+
Question 1
When assessing shoulder function in a client who wants to improve overhead strength, which
muscle is considered the primary mover responsible for lifting the arm sideways away from
the body during abduction exercises?
A. Pectoralis major
B. Deltoid
C. Latissimus dorsi
D. Trapezius
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The middle fibers of the deltoid are the primary movers for shoulder abduction. Pectoralis
major contributes mainly to adduction and internal rotation, latissimus dorsi assists in
adduction and extension, and trapezius stabilizes the scapula rather than initiating abduction.
Question 2
During a comprehensive client assessment aimed at evaluating overall health and physical
fitness, which measurement provides the most direct estimate of a client’s body composition,
rather than cardiovascular fitness or muscular endurance?
A. Resting heart rate
B. Skinfold thickness measurement
,2|Page
C. VO2 max test
D. One-rep max squat
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Skinfold measurements estimate body fat percentage, providing insight into body
composition. Resting heart rate evaluates cardiovascular function, VO2 max measures
aerobic capacity, and one-rep max tests muscular strength.
Question 3
A client is following a progressive resistance training program to increase upper-body
strength. Which principle of training dictates that the workload must gradually increase over
time to continue producing adaptations in muscle size and strength?
A. Specificity
B. Overload
C. Reversibility
D. Individualization
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The overload principle states that a system adapts when it is challenged with greater stress
than it is accustomed to. Specificity refers to targeting specific muscles, reversibility is the
loss of adaptations when training stops, and individualization tailors training to the client.
Question 4
In the context of designing a cardiovascular training program for a client who is overweight
,3|Page
and has low fitness levels, which of the following recommendations reflects the most
appropriate starting intensity according to ACSM guidelines?
A. 85–95% of maximum heart rate
B. 40–60% of heart rate reserve
C. 70–80% of VO2 max
D. 90–100% of maximum oxygen uptake
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
For beginners and low-fitness clients, 40–60% of heart rate reserve ensures safety while
providing sufficient stimulus. Higher percentages risk injury or excessive fatigue.
Question 5
When evaluating a client’s nutritional habits as part of a holistic fitness assessment, which
approach is most effective for identifying patterns of caloric intake, macronutrient
distribution, and potential deficiencies over a typical week?
A. 24-hour recall interview
B. Food frequency questionnaire covering several days
C. One-time grocery store inspection
D. Relying solely on BMI measurements
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
A food frequency questionnaire over multiple days captures patterns, while a 24-hour recall
provides only a snapshot, grocery inspection may not be comprehensive, and BMI does not
reflect nutrient intake.
, 4|Page
Question 6
During a functional movement assessment, a client demonstrates excessive forward lean
during a squat. Which limitation is most likely contributing to this movement pattern and
may require targeted mobility or strengthening interventions?
A. Tight hamstrings or limited ankle dorsiflexion
B. Weak biceps brachii
C. Overactive deltoid muscles
D. Excessive hip flexor flexibility
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Limited ankle dorsiflexion or tight hamstrings restrict squatting depth and force forward lean.
Biceps brachii and deltoid do not affect squatting mechanics, and excessive hip flexibility
rarely causes forward lean.
Question 7
A client’s goal is to increase lean muscle mass while minimizing fat gain. Which dietary
strategy best supports hypertrophy when paired with a structured resistance training program?
A. High-protein diet with moderate caloric surplus
B. Severe caloric restriction with low protein
C. High-fat, low-protein diet
D. Randomized caloric intake with intermittent fasting only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Protein supports muscle repair and growth, and a moderate caloric surplus provides the
