ACE CPT Exam Questions

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1.

Which of the following is NOT a reason to be knowledgeable about sports law and proper business practices as a personal trainer?

  • Standardize trainer practices

  • Anticipate legal concerns

  • Provide a better environment for employees

  • Keep up to date with current standards

Correct answer: Standardize trainer practices

The manner in which a trainer practices is subjective and will vary based on the location. A personal trainer will already have the knowledge and responsibility to implement safe practice regulations, so this is not one of the main reasons to be knowledgeable about sports law and business rules.

Anticipating legal concerns, managing employees well, and staying up to date with standards will keep a business within regulations and safe from potential litigation.

2.

During an assessment that includes a 1.5-mile run, a 1-RM bench press, a vertical jump, a sit-and-reach, and resting blood pressure, which test should occur FIRST?

  • Resting blood pressure

  • 1.5-mile run

  • Sit-and-reach

  • 1-RM bench press

Correct answer: Resting blood pressure

The sequence of assessments to determine a client's health-related physical fitness level is determined most by the setting and equipment available. However, resting measures, such as heart rate and blood pressure, should take place before body composition measurements, which should occur before any cardiovascular, muscular fitness, or flexibility assessment. Assessments should only take place after a client has completed a pre-participation screening.

3.

Which of the following is considered the down position in a push-up test?

  • Chin touching the mat

  • Chest touching the mat

  • Stomach touching the mat

  • 90-degree bend in elbows

Correct answer: Chin touching the mat

When performing a push-up test, the client needs to raise their body by straightening the elbows. Afterward, the client returns to the down position, until the chin touches the mat. Neither the stomach nor the chest should touch the mat. 

The client's back must be straight at all times, and they must push up to a straight-arm position.

4.

According to the daily nutritional goals for age-sex groups based on dietary reference intakes and dietary guideline recommendations, what is the percentage of a diet that should be made up of fats (lipids) for an average female between the ages of 14 to 18?

  • 25% to 35%

  • 20% to 35%

  • 15% to 25%

  • 10% to 25%

Correct answer: 25% to 35%

Fats, or lipids, are one of the three macronutrients (along with carbohydrates and proteins) that provide energy to the body.

Fats are also important for many other bodily functions, including helping to absorb fat-soluble vitamins and minerals, providing insulation against extreme temperatures, helping in nerve transmission, maintaining healthy skin and hair, and assisting with blood clotting.

The amount of fat you should consume daily should be determined by your age, sex, activity level, and current health status.

According to the daily nutritional goals for age-sex groups based on dietary reference intakes and dietary guideline recommendations, the percentage of a diet that should be made up of fats (lipids) for an average female between the ages of 14 to 18 should be 25% to 35%.

The type of fat you consume is also important. Saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol should generally be limited to help reduce your risk for heart disease. Try to replace them with unsaturated fats such as polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats found in foods like vegetable oils, nuts, and avocados.

5.

You are running an outdoor group boot camp workout when one of the clients attending says that she forgot to sign the intake paperwork when she signed up for the class. She states, "I don't need to sign the agreement to participate because it is a group class — it's only required for personal training sessions."

What is the BEST response?

  • Insist that she signs the agreement to participate because it is a group class setting

  • Agree with the client and allow her to continue with the class

  • Ask for her medical insurance only in case of an emergency

  • Do not allow her to join the class

Correct answer: Insist that she signs the agreement to participate because it is a group class setting

An agreement to participate demonstrates that the client is aware of the "normal" outcomes of certain types of physical activity and willingly assumes the risk of participation. Typically, this agreement is best designed for class settings, especially with vigorous-intensity exercise like boot camp.

Some agreements ask for health insurance information; however, this does not replace the agreement to participate. Not allowing the client to participate would be the next step if she refuses to sign the necessary paperwork.

6.

Which of the following methods can help a personal trainer appropriately respond to feedback provided by a client?

  • Having strong lines of communication

  • Keeping a written record of all workouts

  • Having weekly goal check-ins

  • Being vigilant about maintaining confidentiality

Correct answer: Having strong lines of communication

It is the personal trainer's responsibility to provide reasonable care to prevent injury, such as when a client is lifting weights. 

One reasonable step that a personal trainer can take to avoid a negligent incident is to foster open communication with each client and to encourage feedback. A trainer should also listen when a client communicates that they are reaching fatigue.

7.

Your client arrives at the gym and reports that he has been diagnosed with an acute knee injury during soccer practice. Based on this statement, you gather that your client is likely complaining about what type of injury?

  • Knee sprain

  • Knee osteoarthritis

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

  • IT band syndrome

Correct answer: Knee sprain 

Acute is defined as a sudden onset identifiable by a single instance such as a pop, tear, sprain, or strain sustained in a fall or impact.

In contrast, with chronic injury, it is harder to pinpoint a direct cause, such as with types of osteoarthritis.

IT band syndrome may affect the knee due to its distal attachment to the lateral knee. However, with an acute injury, we are looking for something that can be caused by a single moment in time. Typically, IT band syndrome develops over time as an impact such as running volume increases.

8.

All the following are treatment options for plantar fasciitis EXCEPT:

  • Stretching and strengthening exercises for the anterior calf muscles

  • Shoe inserts to correct hyperpronation

  • Medication to reduce inflammation

  • Surgery

Correct answer: Stretching and strengthening exercises for the anterior calf muscles

Plantar fasciitis is a persistent inflammatory condition that results in pain at the calcaneal insertion of the plantar fascia. Plantar fasciitis is typically caused by chronic pulling on the plantar fascia, a tight Achilles tendon, or hyper-pronation. Other factors that put too much work on the fascia, such as obesity, also contribute. 

Treatment of plantar fasciitis includes stretching and strengthening exercises for the posterior calf muscles, shoe inserts to correct hyper-pronation, physiotherapy exercises, and medication to reduce inflammation. Sometimes, surgery is required to release the plantar fascia.

9.

In which of the following populations are Achilles tendon ruptures most commonly seen?

  • Male athletes between 30 and 40 years of age

  • Female athletes between 15 and 25 years of age

  • Male athletes between 15 and 25 years of age

  • Female athletes between 30 and 40 years of age

Correct answer: Male athletes between 30 and 40 years of age

Achilles tendon rupture is considered one of the most serious acute leg injuries. Nearly 75% of Achilles tendon ruptures occur in male athletes between 30 and 40 years of age. The cause is typically the mechanism of forceful plantarflexion while the knee is extended. More often than not, this type of injury requires surgical repair and extensive long-term rehabilitation.

10.

Of the following exercises, which should be performed first during a resistance-training session?

  • Power clean

  • Leg extension

  • Biceps curl

  • Push-up

Correct answer: Power clean

An important program variable that affects the quality and focus of the workout is the order in which exercises are performed. A superior training stimulus is presented to all the muscles involved by exercising the larger muscle groups first. Exercising the larger muscles first is thought to stimulate optimal neural, metabolic, endocrine, and circulatory responses. 

With that said, the more complex multi-joint technique-intensive exercises such as power cleans and squats should be performed initially, followed by less complex single-joint exercises like leg extension and biceps curl.

11.

All the following are found in sports drinks EXCEPT:

  • Caffeine

  • Sodium

  • Carbohydrates

  • Electrolytes

Correct answer: Caffeine

What you drink after exercise is important for achieving optimal performance and recovery. Sports drinks provide some advantages over water because sports drinks contain carbohydrates, which provide energy for fatiguing muscles. 

Sports drinks also contain electrolytes and sodium, which can help maintain blood volume. They do not contain caffeine.

12.

Tangible support can be defined as which of the following?

  • Material aid given to provide an individual with the opportunity to exercise

  • Encouragement or acceptance from others

  • Advice or information given in regard to exercise

  • Constructive feedback

Correct answer: Material aid given to provide an individual with the opportunity to exercise

An exchange of assistance among individuals within a social network is known as social support, and this is a key predictor of exercise participation. There are four types of social support: 

  1. Emotional
  2. Tangible
  3. Informational
  4. Appraisal

Tangible support refers to material aid given to provide an individual with the opportunity to exercise, such as shoes or a gym membership.

13.

All the following are examples of emotional support EXCEPT:

  • Client's spouse offers to cook dinner while they work out

  • Client's spouse takes a walk with them

  • Client's friend periodically calls to encourage sticking with the workout program

  • Client's group fitness instructor encourages their attendance in more classes

Correct answer: Client's spouse offers to cook dinner while they work out

A personal trainer is responsible for providing clients with an environment that promotes the fulfillment of their needs associated with autonomy, relatedness to others, and competence. With that said, a client should have other sources of support to ensure the successful adoption of a healthier lifestyle. 

Social support is a type of support where there is an exchange of aid or assistance among individuals or groups within a social network. Having this type of support can lead to higher levels of self-efficacy, which in turn can lead to increased participation in exercise. Social support can be broken down into four distinct categories:

  • Emotional support
  • Tangible support
  • Informational support
  • Appraisal support

Examples of emotional support are a client's spouse taking a walk with them, a friend periodically calling to encourage sticking with a workout program, and a group fitness instructor encouraging a client's attendance at more classes.

A client's spouse offering to cook dinner while they work out is an example of tangible support.

14.

Which strategy of training program design involves a systematic variation of the training parameters in order to maximize their effect?

  • Periodization

  • Cyclization

  • Linearization

  • Variation

Correct answer: Periodization 

The systematic variation in prescribed volume and intensity during different phases of a resistance training program is known as periodization. A traditional linear periodization program cycles an individual through four phases:

  • Hypertrophy phase (high volume and short rest periods)
  • Strength/power phase (reduced volume but increased load and rest periods)
  • Peaking phase (low volume but high load and longer rest periods)
  • Recovery phase (low volume and load)

Periodization acts as a way to vary a client's workout over time, thus preventing the likelihood of over-training as well as boredom.

15.

Carbohydrates can keep which of the following nutrients from being broken down?

  • Protein

  • Fat

  • Fiber

  • Calcium

Correct answer: Protein

Protein sparing is a very important function of carbohydrates. Glucose via carbohydrates is a preferred fuel for the body. Consuming enough carbohydrates to meet your body's high energy needs means your body will preserve protein from being broken down; this is called protein sparing.

16.

Which of the following would be the BEST example of vicarious liability?

  • A client sues both the employee and their employer after sustaining an injury

  • A client sues the employee for harassment

  • The employer sues the employee for negligence

  • The employee sues the employer for being negligent during employment after a client is injured

Correct answer: A client sues both the employee and their employer after sustaining an injury

In the case of vicarious liability, the employers are responsible for the actions of their employees. If an employee is negligent while working under an employer, the injured party will sue both the employer and the employee.

17.

Which of the following provides 9 calories per gram?

  • Fat

  • Protein

  • Alcohol

  • Carbohydrate

Correct answer: Fat

Carbohydrates, fat, protein, and alcohol each provide their own caloric value per gram consumed. 

Carbohydrates and protein each provide 4 calories per gram, alcohol provides 7 calories per gram, and fat provides 9 calories per gram. 

This makes fat the most calorically-dense nutrient of the three primary macronutrients.

18.

Which group of muscles are all classified as stabilizers?

  • Gluteus medius, lower trapezius, serratus anterior

  • Gluteus maximus, iliopsoas, deep cervical flexors

  • Pectoralis minor, erector spinae, multifidus

  • Iliopsoas, erector spinae, multifidus

Correct answer: Gluteus medius, lower trapezius, serratus anterior

Stability and mobility are interconnected qualities, and they work together to help maintain posture and alignment and to create quality movement. Stabilizers work to maintain the integrity of a joint, while the mobilizers create movement around the joint.

The gluteus medius and maximus, lower trapezius, serratus anterior, deep cervical flexors, and multifidus are classified as stabilizers.

The pectoralis minor, erector spinae, and iliopsoas are classified as mobilizers.

19.

You are working to establish a statute of frauds with a company you recently began working with as an independent contractor. You know that this agreement is necessary because:

  • You expect to make over $500 from your services

  • It will mitigate time and stress

  • It will require over six months to complete the project

  • You expect to eventually buy a share in the company

Correct answer: You expect to make over $500 from your services

It is necessary to establish a statute of frauds if the services involved are worth $500 or more or require more than one year to complete.

A statute of frauds will mitigate time and stress, but this is not why the agreement is necessary. It does not involve stocks, partnerships, or ownership.

20.

A 53-year-old female client has a body fat percentage of 23.8%. In which category of body composition does this client belong?

  • Good

  • Fair

  • Excellent

  • Very lean

Correct answer: Good

Along with the determination of the percentage of body fat, it is also desirable to determine an ideal or desired body weight based on a desired percentage of fat for the individual. 

For a female who is 53 years old, any percentage between 23.5% and 26.6% is considered good.