ACSM Certification Review UPDATED
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
Underweight is classified as a body mass index of - CORRECT ANSWER -< 18.5
kg*m^2
When measuring regional body circumferences, an average of duplicate measured is used
provided that those measurements do not differ by more than - CORRECT ANSWER -
5mm
Which of the following represents the demarcation point of a very high health risk for young
women when using waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)? - CORRECT ANSWER ->0.86
Which of the following is accepted as the criterion measure of CRF? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Maximal volume of oxygen consumed per unit time (VO2max)
When estimating VO2max using the YMCA cycle ergometer protocol, which of the following
best describes the relationship between HR > 110 bpm and 85% age- predicted HRmax or 70%
heart rate reserve (HRR)? - CORRECT ANSWER -Linear
Which of the following variables is unique to the Rockport One-Mile Fitness Walking Test's
regression equation to estimate VO2max? - CORRECT ANSWER -Gender
What is the suggested work rate for a deconditioned, female individual performing the Astrand-
Rhyming cycle ergometer protocol? - CORRECT ANSWER -300 or 450 kg * m * min (50
or 75 W)
The Queen's college step test (also known as McArdle step test) is performed for how long? -
CORRECT ANSWER -3 minutes
,Which of the following is not a general category for clinical exercise testing? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Implementation
-Clinical exercise testing generally consists of three components: prognosis, evaluation, and
diagnosis
Which of the following is considered the "gold standard" to objectively measure exercise
capacity? - CORRECT ANSWER -Maximal exercise test using indirect calorimetry
Whose legal responsibility is it to supervise the clinical exercise laboratory and interpret all
clinical exercise testing results in a diagnostic setting? - CORRECT ANSWER -The
supervising physician
Which of the following graded exercise protocols is most widely used in the United States in a
clinical setting? - CORRECT ANSWER -Bruce treadmill protocol
HR, Blood pressure (BP), and electrocardiogram (ECG) should be recorded regularly during the
clinical exercise test and through at least ______ of recovery - CORRECT ANSWER -6
min
-Following completion of peak exercise during a clinical exercise test, the test administrator
should continue to monitor the vital signs of the client regularly through at least 6 min of
recovery
The normal HR response to incremental exercise is to increase workloads of a HR of ______ per
1 metabolic equivalent (MET). - CORRECT ANSWER -10 bpm
-The rise is sufficient to challenge the heart to appropriately respond to the increased metabolic
demand
The purpose of the cool-down period following an exercise session includes all of the following
except - CORRECT ANSWER -Improvement in range of motion
, -Cool-down helps with recovery of HR, BP, and removal of metabolic end products
What is the frequency of combined aerobic exercise recommended for most adults? - CORRECT
ANSWER -3-5 days/week
-Recommended that individuals perform a minimum of 5 days/week, or vigorous-intensity
aerobic exercise done at least 3 days/week, or a weekly combination of 3-5 days/week
Which of the following percentages of HRR would classify as "moderate" aerobic exercise
intensity? - CORRECT ANSWER --Moderate intensity aerobic exercise is considered to
fall in the range of 40-59% of an individual's HRR (HRmax-HRrest). Vigorous exercise includes
an HRR range of 60-89%
Which of the following methods is not recommended for estimating exercise intensity for
exercise prescription (Ex Rx)? - CORRECT ANSWER -Maximum heart rate percentage
(%HRmax)
-It's not recommended to use HR-dependent methods when prescribing exercise intensities
because of the over/underestimation that can occur. HR can also vary depending on the method
used to establish HR. Direct measurements of physiological responses (HRR,VO2R, VT, etc) are
preferred because these tend to be less subject to variation and provide a truer indication of
fitness.
What is the minimum recommended target volume for energy expenditure (EE) to promote
overall health and well-being in an Ex Rx? - CORRECT ANSWER -500-1000 Met-
min/week
What is the minimum recovery time recommended for a muscle group following a resistance
training bout? - CORRECT ANSWER -48 hours
-Some individuals may require longer (upward of 96 hours)
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
Underweight is classified as a body mass index of - CORRECT ANSWER -< 18.5
kg*m^2
When measuring regional body circumferences, an average of duplicate measured is used
provided that those measurements do not differ by more than - CORRECT ANSWER -
5mm
Which of the following represents the demarcation point of a very high health risk for young
women when using waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)? - CORRECT ANSWER ->0.86
Which of the following is accepted as the criterion measure of CRF? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Maximal volume of oxygen consumed per unit time (VO2max)
When estimating VO2max using the YMCA cycle ergometer protocol, which of the following
best describes the relationship between HR > 110 bpm and 85% age- predicted HRmax or 70%
heart rate reserve (HRR)? - CORRECT ANSWER -Linear
Which of the following variables is unique to the Rockport One-Mile Fitness Walking Test's
regression equation to estimate VO2max? - CORRECT ANSWER -Gender
What is the suggested work rate for a deconditioned, female individual performing the Astrand-
Rhyming cycle ergometer protocol? - CORRECT ANSWER -300 or 450 kg * m * min (50
or 75 W)
The Queen's college step test (also known as McArdle step test) is performed for how long? -
CORRECT ANSWER -3 minutes
,Which of the following is not a general category for clinical exercise testing? - CORRECT
ANSWER -Implementation
-Clinical exercise testing generally consists of three components: prognosis, evaluation, and
diagnosis
Which of the following is considered the "gold standard" to objectively measure exercise
capacity? - CORRECT ANSWER -Maximal exercise test using indirect calorimetry
Whose legal responsibility is it to supervise the clinical exercise laboratory and interpret all
clinical exercise testing results in a diagnostic setting? - CORRECT ANSWER -The
supervising physician
Which of the following graded exercise protocols is most widely used in the United States in a
clinical setting? - CORRECT ANSWER -Bruce treadmill protocol
HR, Blood pressure (BP), and electrocardiogram (ECG) should be recorded regularly during the
clinical exercise test and through at least ______ of recovery - CORRECT ANSWER -6
min
-Following completion of peak exercise during a clinical exercise test, the test administrator
should continue to monitor the vital signs of the client regularly through at least 6 min of
recovery
The normal HR response to incremental exercise is to increase workloads of a HR of ______ per
1 metabolic equivalent (MET). - CORRECT ANSWER -10 bpm
-The rise is sufficient to challenge the heart to appropriately respond to the increased metabolic
demand
The purpose of the cool-down period following an exercise session includes all of the following
except - CORRECT ANSWER -Improvement in range of motion
, -Cool-down helps with recovery of HR, BP, and removal of metabolic end products
What is the frequency of combined aerobic exercise recommended for most adults? - CORRECT
ANSWER -3-5 days/week
-Recommended that individuals perform a minimum of 5 days/week, or vigorous-intensity
aerobic exercise done at least 3 days/week, or a weekly combination of 3-5 days/week
Which of the following percentages of HRR would classify as "moderate" aerobic exercise
intensity? - CORRECT ANSWER --Moderate intensity aerobic exercise is considered to
fall in the range of 40-59% of an individual's HRR (HRmax-HRrest). Vigorous exercise includes
an HRR range of 60-89%
Which of the following methods is not recommended for estimating exercise intensity for
exercise prescription (Ex Rx)? - CORRECT ANSWER -Maximum heart rate percentage
(%HRmax)
-It's not recommended to use HR-dependent methods when prescribing exercise intensities
because of the over/underestimation that can occur. HR can also vary depending on the method
used to establish HR. Direct measurements of physiological responses (HRR,VO2R, VT, etc) are
preferred because these tend to be less subject to variation and provide a truer indication of
fitness.
What is the minimum recommended target volume for energy expenditure (EE) to promote
overall health and well-being in an Ex Rx? - CORRECT ANSWER -500-1000 Met-
min/week
What is the minimum recovery time recommended for a muscle group following a resistance
training bout? - CORRECT ANSWER -48 hours
-Some individuals may require longer (upward of 96 hours)
