AEA certification exam 2026 Questions
and Answers
____ is defined as the maximum force that can be exerted by a muscle or muscle
group against a resistance - Correct answer-muscular strength
what type of stretching activates the muscle spindles, specialized receptors in the
muscle that monitor muscle length change and the speed of muscle length change?
- Correct answer-ballistic stretching
name the six skill-related components of fitness - Correct answer-balance,
coordination, speed, power, agility, and reaction time
what is the difference between maximal heart rate and heart rate reserve - Correct
answer-maximal heart rate is the highest heart rate a person can achieve. it is
measured with a max HR test or estimated with 220- age. Heart rate reserve is your
maximal HR minus your resting heart rate.
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,how does compression lower your heart rate in the water? - Correct answer-water
compresses all the body systems, including the vascular system, causing a smaller
venous load to the heart, reducing heart rate.
what is the ACSM (2018) recommended frequency for resistance training? -
Correct answer-two to three days/week for each major muscle group
define body composition - Correct answer-the body's relative percentage of fat as
compared to lean tissue (bones, muscles, and organs)
list five benefits of regular exercise - Correct answer-improves physical
appearance, increases functional capacity, heart becomes stronger, strengthens the
walls of the blood vessels, improves strength and endurance,
when calculating exercise intensity, a popular method is the Karvonen Formula,
which is also known as the ____ - Correct answer-Heart Rate Reserve method
____ is a subjective method of assessing effort, strain, discomfort, and fatigue
experienced during exercise. - Correct answer-rating of perceived exertion
The skeletal system provides our bodies with support, protection, and _____. -
Correct answer-Structure
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, During the cardiac cycle, ____ is the active contraction of the heart muscle and ___
is the relaxation of the heart muscle. - Correct answer-Systole, Diastole
Which characteristic of muscle allows it to shorten and thicken - Correct answer-
Contractility
The ____ muscle group flexes the leg at the knee. - Correct answer-Hamstrings
What is a motor neuron - Correct answer-Efferent neurons that relay outgoing
information from the central nervous system to the muscle cells
Describe the valsalva maneuver - Correct answer-Holding one's breath while
exerting. Creates unequal pressure in the chest, causing blood pressure to drop and
decreasing blood flow to the heart. Resuming normal breathing creates a surge of
blood flow to the heart, causing a sharp increase in blood pressure.
Name the 5 systems of the body most actively involved in movement and exercise
- Correct answer-Skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, and cardiovascular
systems
In a muscle pair, the muscle that is actively contracting is referred to as the ____,
or prime mover - Correct answer-Agonist
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and Answers
____ is defined as the maximum force that can be exerted by a muscle or muscle
group against a resistance - Correct answer-muscular strength
what type of stretching activates the muscle spindles, specialized receptors in the
muscle that monitor muscle length change and the speed of muscle length change?
- Correct answer-ballistic stretching
name the six skill-related components of fitness - Correct answer-balance,
coordination, speed, power, agility, and reaction time
what is the difference between maximal heart rate and heart rate reserve - Correct
answer-maximal heart rate is the highest heart rate a person can achieve. it is
measured with a max HR test or estimated with 220- age. Heart rate reserve is your
maximal HR minus your resting heart rate.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,how does compression lower your heart rate in the water? - Correct answer-water
compresses all the body systems, including the vascular system, causing a smaller
venous load to the heart, reducing heart rate.
what is the ACSM (2018) recommended frequency for resistance training? -
Correct answer-two to three days/week for each major muscle group
define body composition - Correct answer-the body's relative percentage of fat as
compared to lean tissue (bones, muscles, and organs)
list five benefits of regular exercise - Correct answer-improves physical
appearance, increases functional capacity, heart becomes stronger, strengthens the
walls of the blood vessels, improves strength and endurance,
when calculating exercise intensity, a popular method is the Karvonen Formula,
which is also known as the ____ - Correct answer-Heart Rate Reserve method
____ is a subjective method of assessing effort, strain, discomfort, and fatigue
experienced during exercise. - Correct answer-rating of perceived exertion
The skeletal system provides our bodies with support, protection, and _____. -
Correct answer-Structure
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, During the cardiac cycle, ____ is the active contraction of the heart muscle and ___
is the relaxation of the heart muscle. - Correct answer-Systole, Diastole
Which characteristic of muscle allows it to shorten and thicken - Correct answer-
Contractility
The ____ muscle group flexes the leg at the knee. - Correct answer-Hamstrings
What is a motor neuron - Correct answer-Efferent neurons that relay outgoing
information from the central nervous system to the muscle cells
Describe the valsalva maneuver - Correct answer-Holding one's breath while
exerting. Creates unequal pressure in the chest, causing blood pressure to drop and
decreasing blood flow to the heart. Resuming normal breathing creates a surge of
blood flow to the heart, causing a sharp increase in blood pressure.
Name the 5 systems of the body most actively involved in movement and exercise
- Correct answer-Skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, and cardiovascular
systems
In a muscle pair, the muscle that is actively contracting is referred to as the ____,
or prime mover - Correct answer-Agonist
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
