ACSM-CEP Exam Questions

Page 1 of 25

1.

Which of the following clients is at the highest risk of being diagnosed with depression?

  • A sedentary 18-year-old girl

  • An apparently healthy five-year-old boy

  • A 60-year-old man with prediabetes

  • An apparently healthy 40-year-old woman

Correct answer: A sedentary 18-year-old girl

Women are at double the risk of developing depression than men are. Furthermore, younger people (ages 18 to 25) are at double the risk of developing depression as compared to those 50 and older. Last but not least, sedentary people are at higher risk of developing depression.

An apparently healthy five-year-old boy would be at relatively low risk of developing depression. The presence of disease puts people at higher risk of developing depression, but an older man who hasn't yet been formally diagnosed with a disease is at lower risk than a teenage girl. An apparently healthy 40-year-old woman would be at lower risk of developing depression than a teenaged, sedentary girl but, as this woman nears menopause, her risk of developing depression will increase.

2.

For patients with COPD, which of the following is the most common reason for terminating walking/cycling exercise?

  • Dyspnea

  • Leg fatigue

  • Total body fatigue

  • Angina

Correct answer: Dyspnea

Shortness of breath is the most common reason for stopping exercise for patients with COPD. However, leg fatigue is a close second. In fact, in almost 25% of cases for maximal walking efforts and 70% of maximal cycling efforts, patients cite leg fatigue as the reason for needing to stop. 

Total body fatigue and angina can, of course, be other reasons for terminating a test, but dyspnea is the most common reason by far.

3.

Which of the following is not a part of a typical contract?

  • The breach

  • The offer

  • The acceptance

  • The consideration

Correct answer: The breach

A breach of contract is when one or more of the involved parties do not deliver what they promised. However, a breach is not a part of a contract.

The offer includes who the contract is with, what the contract will include, and how the duties indicated in the contract will be performed. The acceptance of an offer needs to be completed by a person designated to perform this duty or else the contract is terminated. The consideration is also known as the price of the promise and is the third part of a contract.

4.

All of the following are agonist muscles that perform ankle plantarflexion, except:

  • The tibialis anterior

  • The gastrocnemius

  • The soleus

  • The plantaris

Correct answer: The tibialis anterior

All of the muscles listed are plantarflexors of the ankle except for the tibialis anterior. The tibialis anterior is primarily responsible for dorsiflexing the ankle.

5.

Hamstring strains occur most often due to which of the following causes?

  • Taking overly long strides while sprinting

  • Performing light hamstring curls

  • Performing eccentric hamstring strengthening

  • Performing too many calf raises in a single session

Correct answer: Taking overly long strides while sprinting

During sprints, if the athlete overstrides, they may experience a hamstring strain. Hamstrings can also be strained when a client attempts to perform a split or kicks too high in a martial arts setting.

Light hamstring curls are unlikely to cause a hamstring strain. Eccentric hamstring strengthening is one of the best ways to recover from a hamstring strain and to prevent future hamstring injuries. Calf raises involve the plantar flexors of the leg. The hamstrings do not perform this motion, so it would be unlikely that someone would experience a hamstring strain from performing calf raises.

6.

Which of the following best describes the "2 for 2 rule" of exercise progression?

  • If a client can complete two more repetitions than the top of the prescribed range, for two consecutive workouts, the exercise should be progressed in the next session

  • If a client performs two sets of an exercise and reports a rating of two on the RPE scale during each set, the exercise should be progressed in the next session

  • If a client accidentally performs two workouts of the same muscle groups, two days in a row, the exercise should not be progressed for another week to allow the muscles to heal

  • If a client is able to add two pounds to an exercise and complete at least two reps, the exercise should be progressed in the next session

Correct answer: If a client can complete two more repetitions than the top of the prescribed range, for two consecutive workouts, the exercise should be progressed in the next session

The 2 for 2 rule is a basic method of progressing exercise. Clients should work with their CEPs to select a weight and rep range that challenges them and fatigues their muscles. If they are able to complete more than two repetitions beyond the prescribed rep range, for two consecutive workouts, the exercise should be progressed.

7.

Which of the following is true of the Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT)?

  • The 6MWT is a submaximal aerobic test

  • The 6MWT will typically take a patient to their VO2max

  • The 6MWT can only be used for older adults

  • The 6MWT should not be completed on the same day as any other exercise tests

Correct answer: The 6MWT is a submaximal aerobic test

The 6MWT allows the patient to walk at their own pace and allows for rest breaks whenever the patient needs them.

Most patients completing the 6MWT will not reach their VO2max. The 6MWT can be used by all ages. Other tests, such as those of flexibility, can be conducted on the same day as a 6MWT.

8.

Which of the following is true of sulfur dioxide?

  • Sulfur dioxide tends to irritate the upper respiratory tract

  • Inhaled sulfur dioxide leads to dangerous bronchodilation

  • In appropriate amounts, sulfur dioxide can decrease airway resistance

  • When sulfur dioxide is inhaled in cold, dry air, asthmatics experience fewer symptoms than when it is inhaled in warm, wet air

Correct answer: Sulfur dioxide tends to irritate the upper respiratory tract

Typically, sulfur dioxide will affect the upper respiratory tract, rather than other parts of the pulmonary system. For this reason, sulfur dioxide exposure is often very dangerous for asthmatics.

Inhaled sulfur dioxide leads to bronchoconstriction and tends to increase airway resistance. Cold, dry environments often lead to faster bronchospasms in asthmatics when sulfur dioxide is present.

9.

Which of the following definitions best describes "dyspnea"?

  • Shortness of breath

  • Loss of consciousness

  • Swelling

  • Abnormally fast heart rate

Correct answer: Shortness of breath

Specifically, dyspnea is the awareness of one's own, abnormal breathing pattern. However, many clinicians will use the term to describe shortness of breath.

Loss of consciousness describes syncope. Swelling is often referred to as edema. Abnormally fast heart rate describes tachycardia.

10.

A CEP is working with a client who is in her third trimester of pregnancy. Which of the following findings would be considered normal?

  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure

  • Decreased respiration rate

  • Decreased resting metabolic rate (RMR)

  • Blood volume increased by 10%

Correct answer: Increased heart rate and blood pressure

The mother's heart is typically working harder during the third trimester of pregnancy, largely due to increased blood volume.

Respiration rate increases during the third trimester. RMR increases during the third trimester. Blood volume increases by 50% during the third trimester.

11.

What are the most likely causes of unilateral edema in a limb?

  • Venous thrombosis or blocked lymph flow

  • Cirrhosis or advanced heart failure

  • Congestive heart failure or chronic venous insufficiency

  • Excessive exercise or inadequate rest

Correct answer: Venous thrombosis or blocked lymph flow

When a patient reports edema in just one limb, the most likely causes of the options provided are venous thrombosis or blocked lymph flow.

Cirrhosis or advanced heart failure often results in general edema (anasarca) throughout the body. Congestive heart failure or chronic venous insufficiency typically results in bilateral ankle edema. Excessive exercise or inadequate rest are unlikely to lead to unilateral edema in the absence of any underlying disease.

12.

Seeing others perform exercise or physical activity can often lead to improved self-efficacy. Which of the following describes this method of increasing self-efficacy?

  • Vicarious experience

  • Miming

  • Imitating

  • This is not an established method for improving self-efficacy

Correct answer: Vicarious experience

By witnessing other people of similar age, background, and other characteristics complete an activity, many people achieve better self-efficacy. In settings such as cardiac rehab or physical therapy after a stroke, patients can observe others who have suffered similar injuries making progress and accomplishing their goals. This can be a powerful influence over a patient's recovery and can help them to realize that their own goals are not out of reach.

13.

Which of the following is considered a multijoint exercise?

  • Squats

  • Triceps pushdowns

  • Front shoulder raises

  • Hamstring curls

Correct answer: Squats

Multijoint exercises are those that, as the name implies, require multiple joints to complete the movement. Common examples include squats, bench press, pullups, and many others.

Triceps pushdowns, front shoulder raises, and hamstring curls all primarily focus on a single joint movement.

14.

Which of the following best describes the female athlete triad?

  • Menstrual problems, low energy levels, low bone mineral density

  • High energy levels, eumenorrhea, excellent bone health

  • Eating disorder, eumenorrhea, osteoporosis

  • A female who plays three different sports throughout the year

Correct answer: Menstrual problems, low energy levels, low bone mineral density

The female athlete triad is often caused by a combination of overstraining for sport and undereating. The female athlete triad can lead to broken bones and long-term health issues.

High energy levels, eumenorrhea, and excellent bone health describes the opposite of the female athlete triad. Eating disorders and osteoporosis may be related to the female athlete triad, but are not part of the definition. The number of sports a female plays has nothing to do with the female athlete triad.

15.

Which of the following is an important consideration regarding exercise during pregnancy?

  • Fetal health is not affected even by strenuous exercise during pregnancy

  • Women should not exercise at all during pregnancy due to the potential health risks for the baby

  • Exercise during pregnancy increases the chances of cesarean delivery

  • Exercise during pregnancy can increase the chances of the mother developing gestational diabetes

Correct answer: Fetal health is not affected even by strenuous exercise during pregnancy

While moderate exercise is recommended, pregnant women can even perform intense exercise without risking the health of their babies.

Exercise poses no risk to the baby during pregnancy and, in fact, affords many benefits to both mother and child. Exercise during pregnancy reduces the chances of cesarean delivery. Exercise during pregnancy reduces the chances of the mother developing gestational diabetes. 

16.

Which of the following tissues are considered the "central components" of the immune system?

  • The thymus and bone marrow

  • The spleen and tonsils

  • The skin and lymphatic tissues

  • The brain and spinal cord

Correct answer: The thymus and bone marrow

The thymus gland and the bone marrow are often considered the "central components" of the immune system, as these structures produce most of the immune cells of the body.

The spleen, tonsils, skin, and lymphatic tissues are considered "peripheral components" of the immune system. The brain and spinal cord are not generally considered to be part of the immune system.

17.

For a basketball player, which of the following exercises would be best to include in her exercise prescription in order to improve single leg jumping ability for lay-ups?

  • Alternating plyometric step ups

  • Deep squats

  • Push presses

  • Snatches

Correct answer: Alternating plyometric step ups

Single leg plyometric exercises such as alternating plyometric step ups would perfectly emphasize the muscles and movement used during a lay-up.

Deep squats, push presses, and snatches would all be great exercises for this client, but none of them translate as well to the single leg explosive movement used during a lay-up as do plyometric step ups.

18.

Which of the following is true regarding beta-blocker medication?

  • Beta-blockers blunt the heart rate response at rest and during exercise

  • Beta-blockers have been found to decrease the survival rate from cardiovascular events

  • Most people can experience life-threatening side effects from beta-blockers

  • Beta-blockers encourage the binding of epinephrine and norepinephrine to beta receptors found in the heart

Correct answer: Beta-blockers blunt the heart rate response at rest and during exercise

Patients who are on beta-blocker medications are expected to have lower resting heart rates and milder increases in heart rate with increased workload. Beta-blockers are a common medication prescribed to patients who have been diagnosed with hypertension.

Beta-blockers have been found to increase the survival rate from cardiovascular events. Most people experience mild or no symptoms from the use of beta-blockers. Beta-blockers prevent the binding of epinephrine and norepinephrine to the beta receptors in the heart.

19.

Which of the following would be a good aerobic exercise consideration for a person with a visual impairment?

  • Have the patient ride a stationary bike or use a treadmill with handholds

  • Have the patient perform guided, closed chain resistance exercises

  • Provide auditory cues on how far to stretch during flexibility training

  • Use flashing lights to indicate when the patient should increase or decrease intensity

Correct answer: Have the patient ride a stationary bike or use a treadmill with handholds

By enabling the patient to use tactile cues in order to orient himself to his surroundings, the CEP allows the client to be more independent and to have better control over his exercise program.

Having the patient perform guided, closed chain resistance exercises is a good consideration for strength training, but not for aerobic training. Auditory cues for how far to stretch is an appropriate consideration for flexibility training, but not for aerobic exercise. Depending on the extent of the visual impairment, the use of visual cues is likely inappropriate for a visually impaired patient.

20.

Which of the following is true of cystic fibrosis?

  • It is a recessively inherited disease

  • It primarily affects brain function

  • The survival rate for this disease has remained steady for decades

  • Children from lower income households tend to have lower mortality rates when diagnosed with cystic fibrosis

Correct answer: It is a recessively inherited disease

Cystic fibrosis is associated with the CFTR gene and is a recessively inherited disease.

CF affects the pulmonary system, reproductive system, and GI system, among other body areas. The survival rate for patients with CF has grown significantly over the years. Children from higher income households tend to have lower mortality rates when diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.