ACSM EP Exam
(Everything)Questions with
correct answers Updated 2026
A+
Which of the following is the MOST important exercise variable in preventing injuries?
a. High intensity
b. Longer bouts of duration
c. Consecutive days of training
d. Slow and gradual progression - Answerd. Slow and gradual progression
The Framingham Heart Study started as a large cohort study in 1948 with the purpose of
identifying and examining the effects of various risk factors for the development of which
disease process?
a. Cardiovascular disease
b. Neuromotor disease
c. Pulmonary disease
d. Metabolic disease - Answera. Cardiovascular disease
To lessen the chance of injury, the ACSM-EP should:
a. Assess the client's goal and rewrite it to be more realistic based on exercise testing results.
b. Be diligent in choosing exercise modes and prescribing exercises that are based on an
individual's current fitness level and desires.
c. Determine the client's intensity threshold and work 10% of the time above that threshold
for adaptation purposes.
d. Start at a moderate to high level of intensity, frequency, and duration and progress slowly.
- Answerb. Be diligent in choosing exercise modes and prescribing exercises that are based
on an individual's current fitness level and desires.
,Which of the following is a skill-related parameter that might be addressed in a client's
exercise program?
a. Balance
b. Flexibility
c. Aerobic capacity
d. Body composition - Answera. Balance
Which of the following is MOST accurate regarding submaximal exercise testing?
a. It is generally considered safe for most individuals
b. It requires medical supervision from a physician or other trained professional
c. It requires medical clearance from the client's primary health care provider
d. It is indicated for individuals under 45 years of age - Answera. It is generally considered
safe for most individuals
For individuals younger than 30 years of age, the most common cause(s) of sudden cardiac
death is/are:
a. Head and cervical spine trauma.
b. Congenital and hereditary abnormalities.
c. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
d. Coronary artery disease. - Answerb. Congenital and hereditary abnormalities.
Which of the following activities has the lowest risk of musculoskeletal injury?
a. Weightlifting
b. Jogging
c. Basketball
d. Walking - Answerd. Walking
A 1995 joint position statement of the ACSM and CDC recommended that every adult
accumulate how many minutes of activity per day?
,a. 60 minutes
b. 10 minutes
c. 30 minutes
d. 15 minutes - Answerc. 30 minutes
Which of the following is a skill-related aspect of physical activity?
a. Strength
b. Ability
c. Coordination
d. Endurance - Answerc. Coordination
Which of the following is the most common risk factor that is associated with exercise?
a. Sprain of the shoulder joint
b. Injuries at the lumbar spine
c. Injuries at the knee or foot
d. Strain of the rotator cuff - Answerc. Injuries at the knee or foot
Which of the following BEST describes the mechanism for the cause of sudden cardiac
death?
a. An erratic atrial rhythm during diastole
b. A drop in blood pressure below 90/60 mm Hg
c. Hypertensive response at rest or during exercise
d. Plaque buildup that dislodges from an artery and causes a blood clot - Answerd. Plaque
buildup that dislodges from an artery and causes a blood clot
To minimize any emergent event during exercise testing or training, it is critical that the
ACSM-EP:
a. Assess the client's exercise intensity threshold and maintain intensity below it.
b. Post highly visible emergency procedures and phone numbers in prominent areas.
, c. Conduct appropriate screening on each client as a first step.
d. Obtain a signed informed consent to minimize liability. - Answerc. Conduct appropriate
screening on each client as a first step.
How can the total amount of energy expenditure associated with physical activity be
determined?
a. By considering the intensity of the activity
b. By considering the duration of the activity
c. By considering the frequency of the muscular contractions involved in the activity
d. By determining the amount of muscle mass producing bodilty movements and the
intensity, duration, and frequency of muscular contractions - Answerd. By determining the
amount of muscle mass producing bodilty movements and the intensity, duration, and
frequency of muscular contractions
The relationship between physical activity and risk of developing cardiovascular disease can
best be described as:
a. Scientifically proven.
b. Questionable pending further research.
c. Dependent on CVD risk profile.
d. A dose-response relationship. - Answerd. A dose-response relationship.
The 2007 update to an ACSM/CDC recommendation for activity focused on the frequency
recommendation; instead of "most, preferably all, days of the week," the update was
changed to:
a. Five days each week.
b. Seven days a week.
c. Most days of the week.
d. All days of the week. - Answera. Five days each week.
Which of the following is the BEST way to minimize the risk of musculoskeletal injury as a
client begins an exercise program?
(Everything)Questions with
correct answers Updated 2026
A+
Which of the following is the MOST important exercise variable in preventing injuries?
a. High intensity
b. Longer bouts of duration
c. Consecutive days of training
d. Slow and gradual progression - Answerd. Slow and gradual progression
The Framingham Heart Study started as a large cohort study in 1948 with the purpose of
identifying and examining the effects of various risk factors for the development of which
disease process?
a. Cardiovascular disease
b. Neuromotor disease
c. Pulmonary disease
d. Metabolic disease - Answera. Cardiovascular disease
To lessen the chance of injury, the ACSM-EP should:
a. Assess the client's goal and rewrite it to be more realistic based on exercise testing results.
b. Be diligent in choosing exercise modes and prescribing exercises that are based on an
individual's current fitness level and desires.
c. Determine the client's intensity threshold and work 10% of the time above that threshold
for adaptation purposes.
d. Start at a moderate to high level of intensity, frequency, and duration and progress slowly.
- Answerb. Be diligent in choosing exercise modes and prescribing exercises that are based
on an individual's current fitness level and desires.
,Which of the following is a skill-related parameter that might be addressed in a client's
exercise program?
a. Balance
b. Flexibility
c. Aerobic capacity
d. Body composition - Answera. Balance
Which of the following is MOST accurate regarding submaximal exercise testing?
a. It is generally considered safe for most individuals
b. It requires medical supervision from a physician or other trained professional
c. It requires medical clearance from the client's primary health care provider
d. It is indicated for individuals under 45 years of age - Answera. It is generally considered
safe for most individuals
For individuals younger than 30 years of age, the most common cause(s) of sudden cardiac
death is/are:
a. Head and cervical spine trauma.
b. Congenital and hereditary abnormalities.
c. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
d. Coronary artery disease. - Answerb. Congenital and hereditary abnormalities.
Which of the following activities has the lowest risk of musculoskeletal injury?
a. Weightlifting
b. Jogging
c. Basketball
d. Walking - Answerd. Walking
A 1995 joint position statement of the ACSM and CDC recommended that every adult
accumulate how many minutes of activity per day?
,a. 60 minutes
b. 10 minutes
c. 30 minutes
d. 15 minutes - Answerc. 30 minutes
Which of the following is a skill-related aspect of physical activity?
a. Strength
b. Ability
c. Coordination
d. Endurance - Answerc. Coordination
Which of the following is the most common risk factor that is associated with exercise?
a. Sprain of the shoulder joint
b. Injuries at the lumbar spine
c. Injuries at the knee or foot
d. Strain of the rotator cuff - Answerc. Injuries at the knee or foot
Which of the following BEST describes the mechanism for the cause of sudden cardiac
death?
a. An erratic atrial rhythm during diastole
b. A drop in blood pressure below 90/60 mm Hg
c. Hypertensive response at rest or during exercise
d. Plaque buildup that dislodges from an artery and causes a blood clot - Answerd. Plaque
buildup that dislodges from an artery and causes a blood clot
To minimize any emergent event during exercise testing or training, it is critical that the
ACSM-EP:
a. Assess the client's exercise intensity threshold and maintain intensity below it.
b. Post highly visible emergency procedures and phone numbers in prominent areas.
, c. Conduct appropriate screening on each client as a first step.
d. Obtain a signed informed consent to minimize liability. - Answerc. Conduct appropriate
screening on each client as a first step.
How can the total amount of energy expenditure associated with physical activity be
determined?
a. By considering the intensity of the activity
b. By considering the duration of the activity
c. By considering the frequency of the muscular contractions involved in the activity
d. By determining the amount of muscle mass producing bodilty movements and the
intensity, duration, and frequency of muscular contractions - Answerd. By determining the
amount of muscle mass producing bodilty movements and the intensity, duration, and
frequency of muscular contractions
The relationship between physical activity and risk of developing cardiovascular disease can
best be described as:
a. Scientifically proven.
b. Questionable pending further research.
c. Dependent on CVD risk profile.
d. A dose-response relationship. - Answerd. A dose-response relationship.
The 2007 update to an ACSM/CDC recommendation for activity focused on the frequency
recommendation; instead of "most, preferably all, days of the week," the update was
changed to:
a. Five days each week.
b. Seven days a week.
c. Most days of the week.
d. All days of the week. - Answera. Five days each week.
Which of the following is the BEST way to minimize the risk of musculoskeletal injury as a
client begins an exercise program?
