2026/2027
Gmail:
27
ACSM-CEP Study Guide Questions
with Detailed Verified Answers
Underweight is classified as a BMI of Ans: <18.5 kg/m^2
When measuring regional body circumferences, an average of
duplicate measures is used provided that those measurements do not
differ by more than Ans: 5 mm
Which of the following represents the demarcation point of a very
high health risk for young women when using WHR? Ans: >0.86
Which of the following is accepted as the criterion measure of
cardiorespiratory fitness?
A. Field test performance
B. Maximal Volume of oxygen consumed per unite time (VO2max)
C. Body fat percentage
D. Maximal heart rate (HRmax) Ans: B. VO2max
When estimating VO2max using the YMCA cycle ergometer protocol,
which of the following best describes the relationship between HR
>110 bpm and 85% APMHR or 70% HRR?
A. Logarithmic
B. Inverse
C. Curvilinear
D. Linear Ans: D. Linear
Which of the following variables is unique to the Rockport One-Mile
Walking Test's regression equation to estimate VO2max?
A. Age
,B. HR
C. Gender
D. Body mass Ans: C. Gender
What is the suggested work rate for a deconditioned female individual
performing the Astrand-Rhyming cycle ergometer protocol? Ans: 300-
450 kgm/min (50-75 watts)
The Queens College Step Test (aka McArdle Step Test) is performed for
how long? Ans: 3 minutes
Which of the following is not a general category for clinical exercise
testing?
A. Prognosis
B. Implementation
C. Evaluation
D. Diagnosis Ans: B. Implementation
Which of the following is NOT considered the "gold standard" to
objectively measure exercise capacity?
A. Maximal exercise testing using indirect calorimetry
B. Submaximal exercise testing using hemodynamic responses
C. Physician exam
D. Walk/run field test Ans: A. Maximal exercise testing using indirect
calorimetry
Whose legal responsibility is it to supervise the clinical exercise
laboratory and interpret clinical exercise testing in a diagnostic
setting? Ans: The supervising physician
Which of the following graded exercise protocols is most widely used
in the US in a clinical setting? Ans: Bruce treadmill protocol
, 2026/2027
Gmail:
27
HR, BP, and ECG should be recorded regularly during the clinical
exercise test and through at least _________ of recovery Ans: 6
minutes
The normal HR response to incremental exercise is to increase
workloads at a HR of _______ per 1 MET. Ans: 10 bpm
The purpose of the cool-down period following an exercise session
includes all of the following except ___________.
A. Gradual recovery of HR
B. Gradual recovery of BP
C. Improvement in ROM
D. Removal of metabolic end products Ans: A. Gradual recovery of HR
What is the frequency of combined aerobic exercise recommended for
most adults? Ans: 3-5 d/w
Which of the following percentages of HRR would easily classify as
Moderate aerobic exercise intensity?
A. 34%
B. 52%
C. 65%
D. 91% Ans: B. 52%
Which of the following methods is not recommended for estimating
exercise intensity for ExRx?
A. HRR
B. VO2R
C. VT
D. % of HRmax Ans: D. % of HRmax
, What is the minimum recommended target volume for energy
expenditure to promote overall health and well-being in an ExRx?
Ans: 500-1000 Met/min/wk
What is the minimum recovery time recommended for a muscle group
following a resistance training bout? Ans: 48 hours
Which of the following is NOT a purpose of physical fitness testing?
A. To bring in extra income to pay off other major expenses of the
testing company
B. To educate participants about their present health and fitness
status relative to health related standards and age/sex matches norms
C. To motivate participants by establishing reasonable and attainable
health/fitness goals
D. To allow evaluation of progress following an exercise program and
long-term monitoring of patients. Ans: A. To bring in extra income to
pay off other major expenses of the testing company
When performing a battery of tests in a single testing session, which
of the following orders is most optimal for testing multiple health
related components of fitness?
Tests:
Sit and Reach Test
HRrest
Queens College Step Test
ACSM Push-Up Test Ans: HRrest, Queens College Step Test, ACSM
Push-Up Test, Sit and Reach Test
The degenerative loss of muscle mass and strength dur to reduced
physical activity and aging is known as _________. Ans: Sarcopenia
Gmail:
27
ACSM-CEP Study Guide Questions
with Detailed Verified Answers
Underweight is classified as a BMI of Ans: <18.5 kg/m^2
When measuring regional body circumferences, an average of
duplicate measures is used provided that those measurements do not
differ by more than Ans: 5 mm
Which of the following represents the demarcation point of a very
high health risk for young women when using WHR? Ans: >0.86
Which of the following is accepted as the criterion measure of
cardiorespiratory fitness?
A. Field test performance
B. Maximal Volume of oxygen consumed per unite time (VO2max)
C. Body fat percentage
D. Maximal heart rate (HRmax) Ans: B. VO2max
When estimating VO2max using the YMCA cycle ergometer protocol,
which of the following best describes the relationship between HR
>110 bpm and 85% APMHR or 70% HRR?
A. Logarithmic
B. Inverse
C. Curvilinear
D. Linear Ans: D. Linear
Which of the following variables is unique to the Rockport One-Mile
Walking Test's regression equation to estimate VO2max?
A. Age
,B. HR
C. Gender
D. Body mass Ans: C. Gender
What is the suggested work rate for a deconditioned female individual
performing the Astrand-Rhyming cycle ergometer protocol? Ans: 300-
450 kgm/min (50-75 watts)
The Queens College Step Test (aka McArdle Step Test) is performed for
how long? Ans: 3 minutes
Which of the following is not a general category for clinical exercise
testing?
A. Prognosis
B. Implementation
C. Evaluation
D. Diagnosis Ans: B. Implementation
Which of the following is NOT considered the "gold standard" to
objectively measure exercise capacity?
A. Maximal exercise testing using indirect calorimetry
B. Submaximal exercise testing using hemodynamic responses
C. Physician exam
D. Walk/run field test Ans: A. Maximal exercise testing using indirect
calorimetry
Whose legal responsibility is it to supervise the clinical exercise
laboratory and interpret clinical exercise testing in a diagnostic
setting? Ans: The supervising physician
Which of the following graded exercise protocols is most widely used
in the US in a clinical setting? Ans: Bruce treadmill protocol
, 2026/2027
Gmail:
27
HR, BP, and ECG should be recorded regularly during the clinical
exercise test and through at least _________ of recovery Ans: 6
minutes
The normal HR response to incremental exercise is to increase
workloads at a HR of _______ per 1 MET. Ans: 10 bpm
The purpose of the cool-down period following an exercise session
includes all of the following except ___________.
A. Gradual recovery of HR
B. Gradual recovery of BP
C. Improvement in ROM
D. Removal of metabolic end products Ans: A. Gradual recovery of HR
What is the frequency of combined aerobic exercise recommended for
most adults? Ans: 3-5 d/w
Which of the following percentages of HRR would easily classify as
Moderate aerobic exercise intensity?
A. 34%
B. 52%
C. 65%
D. 91% Ans: B. 52%
Which of the following methods is not recommended for estimating
exercise intensity for ExRx?
A. HRR
B. VO2R
C. VT
D. % of HRmax Ans: D. % of HRmax
, What is the minimum recommended target volume for energy
expenditure to promote overall health and well-being in an ExRx?
Ans: 500-1000 Met/min/wk
What is the minimum recovery time recommended for a muscle group
following a resistance training bout? Ans: 48 hours
Which of the following is NOT a purpose of physical fitness testing?
A. To bring in extra income to pay off other major expenses of the
testing company
B. To educate participants about their present health and fitness
status relative to health related standards and age/sex matches norms
C. To motivate participants by establishing reasonable and attainable
health/fitness goals
D. To allow evaluation of progress following an exercise program and
long-term monitoring of patients. Ans: A. To bring in extra income to
pay off other major expenses of the testing company
When performing a battery of tests in a single testing session, which
of the following orders is most optimal for testing multiple health
related components of fitness?
Tests:
Sit and Reach Test
HRrest
Queens College Step Test
ACSM Push-Up Test Ans: HRrest, Queens College Step Test, ACSM
Push-Up Test, Sit and Reach Test
The degenerative loss of muscle mass and strength dur to reduced
physical activity and aging is known as _________. Ans: Sarcopenia
