NASM CPT EXAM COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE
2026 | PRACTICE QUESTIONS, CHEAT
SHEET & ANSWERS
| GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales Included
,Somatic - apart of the PNS
- serves outer areas of the body and skeletal muscle; voluntary
Autonomic - apart of the PNS
- involuntary systems (e.g., heart, digestion).
subdivisions:
- parasympathetic
- sympathetic
Parasympathetic - apart of the autonomic system of the PNS
- decreases activation during rest and recovery.
Sympathetic - apart of the autonomic system of the PNS
- increases activation to prep for activity.
neuron functional unit of the nervous system.
- motor (efferent)
- sensory (afferent)
motor neurons - efferent
- transmit nerve impulses from CNS to effector sites.
sensory neurons - afferent
- respond to stimuli; transmit nerve impulses from effector sites to CNS.
mechanoreceptors sense distortion in body tissues.
Joint receptors respond to pressure, acceleration, and deceleration of joints.
Golgi tendon organs (GTO) sense changes in muscular tension.
Muscle spindles sense changes in muscle length.
,Tendons connect muscle to bone; provide anchor for muscles to produce force.
Fascia outer layer of connective tissue surrounding a muscle.
Fascicles bundle of individual muscle fibers.
Muscle fiber cellular components and myofibrils encased in a plasma membrane.
Sarcomere produces muscular contraction; repeating sections of actin and myosin.
Sliding filament theory thick and thin filaments slide past one another, shortening the entire sarcomere.
Type I muscle tissue - slow twitch
- smaller size; fatigue slowly.
Type II muscle tissue - fast twitch
- larger size; quick to produce maximal tension; fatigue quickly.
, Motor unit one motor neuron and the muscle fibers it connects with.
Neural activation contraction of a muscle generated by neural stimulation.
Neurotransmitters chemical messengers that transport impulses from nerve to muscle.
Local stabilization system attach directly to vertebrae. Consists of: transverse abdominis, internal oblique,
multifidus, pelvic floor, diaphragm.
Global stabilization system 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 attach spine and/or pelvis to extremities. Consists of: latissimus dorsi, hip flexors,
hamstring complex, quadriceps.
Axial skeleton skull, rib cage, and vertebral column.
2026 | PRACTICE QUESTIONS, CHEAT
SHEET & ANSWERS
| GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales Included
,Somatic - apart of the PNS
- serves outer areas of the body and skeletal muscle; voluntary
Autonomic - apart of the PNS
- involuntary systems (e.g., heart, digestion).
subdivisions:
- parasympathetic
- sympathetic
Parasympathetic - apart of the autonomic system of the PNS
- decreases activation during rest and recovery.
Sympathetic - apart of the autonomic system of the PNS
- increases activation to prep for activity.
neuron functional unit of the nervous system.
- motor (efferent)
- sensory (afferent)
motor neurons - efferent
- transmit nerve impulses from CNS to effector sites.
sensory neurons - afferent
- respond to stimuli; transmit nerve impulses from effector sites to CNS.
mechanoreceptors sense distortion in body tissues.
Joint receptors respond to pressure, acceleration, and deceleration of joints.
Golgi tendon organs (GTO) sense changes in muscular tension.
Muscle spindles sense changes in muscle length.
,Tendons connect muscle to bone; provide anchor for muscles to produce force.
Fascia outer layer of connective tissue surrounding a muscle.
Fascicles bundle of individual muscle fibers.
Muscle fiber cellular components and myofibrils encased in a plasma membrane.
Sarcomere produces muscular contraction; repeating sections of actin and myosin.
Sliding filament theory thick and thin filaments slide past one another, shortening the entire sarcomere.
Type I muscle tissue - slow twitch
- smaller size; fatigue slowly.
Type II muscle tissue - fast twitch
- larger size; quick to produce maximal tension; fatigue quickly.
, Motor unit one motor neuron and the muscle fibers it connects with.
Neural activation contraction of a muscle generated by neural stimulation.
Neurotransmitters chemical messengers that transport impulses from nerve to muscle.
Local stabilization system attach directly to vertebrae. Consists of: transverse abdominis, internal oblique,
multifidus, pelvic floor, diaphragm.
Global stabilization system 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 attach spine and/or pelvis to extremities. Consists of: latissimus dorsi, hip flexors,
hamstring complex, quadriceps.
Axial skeleton skull, rib cage, and vertebral column.
