NASM CPT EXAM 2026 Questions and
Answers
nervous system - Correct answer-communication network within the body.
nervous system functions - Correct answer-1. sensory: changes in the environment
2. integrative: analyze and interpret
3. motor: the neuromuscular response
Central nervous system (CNS) - Correct answer-brain and spinal cord; coordinates
activity of the body
Peripheral nervous system (PNS) - Correct answer-nerves connecting the CNS to
the rest of the body and environment.
subdivisions:
- somatic
- autonomic
- parasympathetic
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,- sympathetic
Somatic - Correct answer-- apart of the PNS
- serves outer areas of the body and skeletal muscle; voluntary
Autonomic - Correct answer-- apart of the PNS
- involuntary systems (e.g., heart, digestion).
subdivisions:
- parasympathetic
- sympathetic
Parasympathetic - Correct answer-- apart of the autonomic system of the PNS
- decreases activation during rest and recovery.
Sympathetic - Correct answer-- apart of the autonomic system of the PNS
- increases activation to prep for activity.
neuron - Correct answer-functional unit of the nervous system.
- motor (efferent)
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,- sensory (afferent)
motor neurons - Correct answer-- efferent
- transmit nerve impulses from CNS to effector sites.
sensory neurons - Correct answer-- afferent
- respond to stimuli; transmit nerve impulses from effector sites to CNS.
mechanoreceptors - Correct answer-sense distortion in body tissues.
Joint receptors - Correct answer-respond to pressure, acceleration, and deceleration
of joints.
Golgi tendon organs (GTO) - Correct answer-sense changes in muscular tension.
Muscle spindles - Correct answer-sense changes in muscle length.
Tendons - Correct answer-connect muscle to bone; provide anchor for muscles to
produce force.
Fascia - Correct answer-outer layer of connective tissue surrounding a muscle.
Fascicles - Correct answer-bundle of individual muscle fibers.
Muscle fiber - Correct answer-cellular components and myofibrils encased in a
plasma membrane.
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, Sarcomere - Correct answer-produces muscular contraction; repeating sections of
actin and myosin.
Sliding filament theory - Correct answer-thick and thin filaments slide past one
another, shortening the entire sarcomere.
Type I muscle tissue - Correct answer-- slow twitch
- smaller size; fatigue slowly.
Type II muscle tissue - Correct answer-- fast twitch
- larger size; quick to produce maximal tension; fatigue quickly.
Motor unit - Correct answer-one motor neuron and the muscle fibers it connects
with.
Neural activation - Correct answer-contraction of a muscle generated by neural
stimulation.
Neurotransmitters - Correct answer-chemical messengers that transport impulses
from nerve to muscle.
Local stabilization system - Correct answer-attach directly to vertebrae. Consists
of: transverse abdominis, internal oblique, multifidus, pelvic floor, diaphragm.
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Answers
nervous system - Correct answer-communication network within the body.
nervous system functions - Correct answer-1. sensory: changes in the environment
2. integrative: analyze and interpret
3. motor: the neuromuscular response
Central nervous system (CNS) - Correct answer-brain and spinal cord; coordinates
activity of the body
Peripheral nervous system (PNS) - Correct answer-nerves connecting the CNS to
the rest of the body and environment.
subdivisions:
- somatic
- autonomic
- parasympathetic
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,- sympathetic
Somatic - Correct answer-- apart of the PNS
- serves outer areas of the body and skeletal muscle; voluntary
Autonomic - Correct answer-- apart of the PNS
- involuntary systems (e.g., heart, digestion).
subdivisions:
- parasympathetic
- sympathetic
Parasympathetic - Correct answer-- apart of the autonomic system of the PNS
- decreases activation during rest and recovery.
Sympathetic - Correct answer-- apart of the autonomic system of the PNS
- increases activation to prep for activity.
neuron - Correct answer-functional unit of the nervous system.
- motor (efferent)
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,- sensory (afferent)
motor neurons - Correct answer-- efferent
- transmit nerve impulses from CNS to effector sites.
sensory neurons - Correct answer-- afferent
- respond to stimuli; transmit nerve impulses from effector sites to CNS.
mechanoreceptors - Correct answer-sense distortion in body tissues.
Joint receptors - Correct answer-respond to pressure, acceleration, and deceleration
of joints.
Golgi tendon organs (GTO) - Correct answer-sense changes in muscular tension.
Muscle spindles - Correct answer-sense changes in muscle length.
Tendons - Correct answer-connect muscle to bone; provide anchor for muscles to
produce force.
Fascia - Correct answer-outer layer of connective tissue surrounding a muscle.
Fascicles - Correct answer-bundle of individual muscle fibers.
Muscle fiber - Correct answer-cellular components and myofibrils encased in a
plasma membrane.
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, Sarcomere - Correct answer-produces muscular contraction; repeating sections of
actin and myosin.
Sliding filament theory - Correct answer-thick and thin filaments slide past one
another, shortening the entire sarcomere.
Type I muscle tissue - Correct answer-- slow twitch
- smaller size; fatigue slowly.
Type II muscle tissue - Correct answer-- fast twitch
- larger size; quick to produce maximal tension; fatigue quickly.
Motor unit - Correct answer-one motor neuron and the muscle fibers it connects
with.
Neural activation - Correct answer-contraction of a muscle generated by neural
stimulation.
Neurotransmitters - Correct answer-chemical messengers that transport impulses
from nerve to muscle.
Local stabilization system - Correct answer-attach directly to vertebrae. Consists
of: transverse abdominis, internal oblique, multifidus, pelvic floor, diaphragm.
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