NASM CPT EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2026
Nervous system - ANS communication network within the body.
nervous system functions - ANS 1. sensory: changes in the environment
2. integrative: analyze and interpret
3. motor: the neuromuscular response
Central nervous system (CNS) - ANS brain and spinal cord; coordinates activity of the body
Peripheral nervous system (PNS) - ANS nerves connecting the CNS to the rest of the body and
environment.
subdivisions:
- somatic
- autonomic
- parasympathetic
- sympathetic
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1
,Somatic - ANS - apart of the PNS
- serves outer areas of the body and skeletal muscle; voluntary
Autonomic - ANS - apart of the PNS
- involuntary systems (e.g., heart, digestion).
subdivisions:
- parasympathetic
- sympathetic
Parasympathetic - ANS - apart of the autonomic system of the PNS
- decreases activation during rest and recovery.
Sympathetic - ANS - apart of the autonomic system of the PNS
- increases activation to prep for activity.
neuron - ANS functional unit of the nervous system.
- motor (efferent)
- sensory (afferent)
motor neurons - ANS - efferent
- transmit nerve impulses from CNS to effector sites.
sensory neurons - ANS - afferent
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2
,- respond to stimuli; transmit nerve impulses from effector sites to CNS.
mechanoreceptors - ANS sense distortion in body tissues.
Joint receptors - ANS respond to pressure, acceleration, and deceleration of joints.
Golgi tendon organs (GTO) - ANS sense changes in muscular tension.
Muscle spindles - ANS sense changes in muscle length.
Tendons - ANS connect muscle to bone; provide anchor for muscles to produce force.
Fascia - ANS outer layer of connective tissue surrounding a muscle.
Fascicles - ANS bundle of individual muscle fibers.
Muscle fiber - ANS cellular components and myofibrils encased in a plasma membrane.
Sarcomere - ANS produces muscular contraction; repeating sections of actin and myosin.
Sliding filament theory - ANS thick and thin filaments slide past one another, shortening the
entire sarcomere.
Type I muscle tissue - ANS - slow twitch
- smaller size; fatigue slowly.
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3
, Type II muscle tissue - ANS - fast twitch
- larger size; quick to produce maximal tension; fatigue quickly.
Motor unit - ANS one motor neuron and the muscle fibers it connects with.
Neural activation - ANS contraction of a muscle generated by neural stimulation.
Neurotransmitters - ANS chemical messengers that transport impulses from nerve to muscle.
Local stabilization system - ANS attach directly to vertebrae. Consists of: transverse
abdominis, internal oblique, multifidus, pelvic floor, diaphragm.
Global stabilization system - ANS attach from pelvis to spine. Consists of: quadratus
lumborum, psoas major, external oblique, rectus abdominis, gluteus medius, adductor complex,
portions of internal oblique.
Movement system - ANS attach spine and/or pelvis to extremities. Consists of: latissimus
dorsi, hip flexors, hamstring complex, quadriceps.
Axial skeleton - ANS skull, rib cage, and vertebral column.
Appendicular skeleton - ANS upper and lower extremities, shoulder and pelvic girdles.
Skeletal system functions - ANS supports, protects, allows bodily movement, produces blood,
stores minerals.
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
4
ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2026
Nervous system - ANS communication network within the body.
nervous system functions - ANS 1. sensory: changes in the environment
2. integrative: analyze and interpret
3. motor: the neuromuscular response
Central nervous system (CNS) - ANS brain and spinal cord; coordinates activity of the body
Peripheral nervous system (PNS) - ANS nerves connecting the CNS to the rest of the body and
environment.
subdivisions:
- somatic
- autonomic
- parasympathetic
- sympathetic
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
1
,Somatic - ANS - apart of the PNS
- serves outer areas of the body and skeletal muscle; voluntary
Autonomic - ANS - apart of the PNS
- involuntary systems (e.g., heart, digestion).
subdivisions:
- parasympathetic
- sympathetic
Parasympathetic - ANS - apart of the autonomic system of the PNS
- decreases activation during rest and recovery.
Sympathetic - ANS - apart of the autonomic system of the PNS
- increases activation to prep for activity.
neuron - ANS functional unit of the nervous system.
- motor (efferent)
- sensory (afferent)
motor neurons - ANS - efferent
- transmit nerve impulses from CNS to effector sites.
sensory neurons - ANS - afferent
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
2
,- respond to stimuli; transmit nerve impulses from effector sites to CNS.
mechanoreceptors - ANS sense distortion in body tissues.
Joint receptors - ANS respond to pressure, acceleration, and deceleration of joints.
Golgi tendon organs (GTO) - ANS sense changes in muscular tension.
Muscle spindles - ANS sense changes in muscle length.
Tendons - ANS connect muscle to bone; provide anchor for muscles to produce force.
Fascia - ANS outer layer of connective tissue surrounding a muscle.
Fascicles - ANS bundle of individual muscle fibers.
Muscle fiber - ANS cellular components and myofibrils encased in a plasma membrane.
Sarcomere - ANS produces muscular contraction; repeating sections of actin and myosin.
Sliding filament theory - ANS thick and thin filaments slide past one another, shortening the
entire sarcomere.
Type I muscle tissue - ANS - slow twitch
- smaller size; fatigue slowly.
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
3
, Type II muscle tissue - ANS - fast twitch
- larger size; quick to produce maximal tension; fatigue quickly.
Motor unit - ANS one motor neuron and the muscle fibers it connects with.
Neural activation - ANS contraction of a muscle generated by neural stimulation.
Neurotransmitters - ANS chemical messengers that transport impulses from nerve to muscle.
Local stabilization system - ANS attach directly to vertebrae. Consists of: transverse
abdominis, internal oblique, multifidus, pelvic floor, diaphragm.
Global stabilization system - ANS attach from pelvis to spine. Consists of: quadratus
lumborum, psoas major, external oblique, rectus abdominis, gluteus medius, adductor complex,
portions of internal oblique.
Movement system - ANS attach spine and/or pelvis to extremities. Consists of: latissimus
dorsi, hip flexors, hamstring complex, quadriceps.
Axial skeleton - ANS skull, rib cage, and vertebral column.
Appendicular skeleton - ANS upper and lower extremities, shoulder and pelvic girdles.
Skeletal system functions - ANS supports, protects, allows bodily movement, produces blood,
stores minerals.
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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