ACE CPT Exam Questions

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81.

Which of the following BEST describes why muscle mass tends to decline with age?

  • Changes in lifestyle

  • Hydration levels

  • Sarcopenia

  • Reduced connective tissue elasticity

Correct answer: Changes in lifestyle

As we age, adults tend to be less active as mobility declines and our neuromuscular system becomes less active. It becomes a cycle in which adults exercise less and less. These changes in lifestyle best explain why muscle mass declines with age.

Sarcopenia—the progression of muscle mass loss—results from factors like changes in lifestyle and diet; therefore, it is not the main cause of muscle mass decline. Hydration levels are important, but do not lead to a decrease in muscle mass. Connective tissue elasticity does decline with age, but it is not the main factor in muscle loss.

82.

You have a client that is undergoing the one-repetition maximum bench press test. Due to a previous shoulder injury from years ago, you don't want to have the client attempt a true one-rep test. Instead, you'd rather use less weight and calculate the percentage based on the 1-RM Repetition Table. 

If the client uses a weight that allows for 5 reps, what percentage of their one-rep max is this?

  • 87%

  • 90%

  • 93%

  • 85%

Correct answer: 87%

To administer the assessment protocol for a one-repetition maximum (1-RM) bench press test, you should first have the client warm up. It's important to use a lighter weight, one that allows the client to perform between 5 and 10 repetitions. 

After this warm up set, have the client rest for a minute. You should have the client go through one or two more warm-up sets, ensuring they are prepared for the test that follows.

If your goal is to figure out their 1-RM but you do not want to use 100% of the weight required, you can reduce the weight and calculate the percentage based on the 1-RM Repetition Table. If the client uses a weight that allows for 5 reps, this demonstrates 87% of their one-rep max.

83.

Which of the following is an example of extrinsic motivation?

  • Exercising for weight loss and appearance

  • Exercising for enjoyment

  • Eating healthy to better understand appropriate portion sizes

  • Eating healthy to have more energy

Correct answer: Exercising for weight loss and appearance

A client will typically begin an exercise program with more extrinsic motivation than intrinsic motivation. When clients are extrinsically motivated, they participate in exercise to achieve an external outcome. This is usually an aesthetic goal, such as looking better in a bikini or fitting into clothing. 

When clients are intrinsically motivated, they participate in exercise to achieve internal outcomes, such as enjoyment of the activity itself or the feeling of accomplishment after the workout is completed. 

Strategies that shift an individual's motivation from extrinsic to intrinsic are important components to consider and implement when beginning a client's exercise program.

84.

What is the lean body mass of a 190-pound man with a body fat percentage of 22.3 percent?

  • 147.63 lb

  • 144.37 lb

  • 173.68 lb

  • 67.1 lb

Correct answer: 147.63 lb

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

Fat weight = body weight x (% body fat/100)

  • In this example: Fat weight = 190 x (22.3%/100) = 42.37

Lean body mass = body weight - fat weight

  • In this example: Lean body mass = 190 - 42.37 = 147.63 lb

85.

Tony, a 56-year-old male, has a blood pressure of 165/99 mmHg. Which classification of resting blood pressure is he in?

  • Stage 2 hypertension

  • Prehypertension

  • Stage 1 hypertension

  • Hypotension

Correct answer: Stage 2 hypertension

The force of blood against the walls of the arteries and veins created by the heart as it pumps blood to every part of the body is known as blood pressure. 

BP is expressed in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and it comprises two measurements: systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Hypertension is a condition in which the resting blood pressure, either SBP or DBP, or both, is chronically elevated. An SBP over 160 and/or a DBP over 100 is considered stage 2 hypertension.

86.

Eccentric muscle training often leads to which of the following?

  • Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)

  • Injury

  • Elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP)

  • Increased cardiac output

Correct answer: Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)

After an intense bout of exercise, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) usually occurs, and it can last a number of days. It is often a result of minor muscle fiber damage. 

Individuals who train eccentrically often experience DOMS. This is likely due to the greater force production that occurs during the eccentric action, which is a result of a greater recruitment of motor units and a slow movement velocity.

87.

You are considering starting your own business as the sole trainer, owner, and operator. Which of the following would be the BEST choice for a for-profit business structure?

  • Sole proprietorship

  • Single partnership

  • B corporation

  • A cooperative

Correct answer: Sole proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is a business owned and operated by one person. There is minimal paperwork and it is the most common option for people just starting a business. This is the best option in this scenario, as there is only one person in the company.

A partnership (a single partnership is not a real option) is when two or more people agree to operate a business and share profits and losses. B corporations are for-profit corporations driven by a mission as well as profit. It is sometimes required for B corps to submit annual benefit reports that demonstrate their contribution to the public good. A cooperative organization is owned and operated for the benefit of those using the services. Profits and earnings are distributed among members.

88.

Who is responsible for developing the popular three-site skinfold formula used to calculate body composition?

  • Jackson and Pollock

  • Liepert and Brown

  • Jackson and Brown

  • Pollock and Johnson

Correct answer: Jackson and Pollock

Several skinfold formulas for the prediction of percent body fat or body composition were developed by Jackson and Pollock. The three-site formula that they developed in 1980 provides percent-based body-fat averages using the skinfold measurements for chest, abdomen, and thigh in men and triceps, suprailiac, and thigh in women.

89.

Optimal exercise selection depends on what principle of training?

  • Specificity of training

  • SAID principle

  • Progressive overload

  • Prioritization of training

Correct answer: Specificity of training

The principle of specificity of training denotes that only the muscles that are included and targeted in a training program will be improved. Therefore, it's important to determine through the needs analysis which muscles are necessary to include. For general health purposes, a full-body program is recommended.

The SAID principle stands for specific adaptations to imposed demands. This specifies that the body will adapt according to the type of stimulus applied. For example, if an individual trains with heavier loads, the body will improve in its ability to handle heavier loads.

Progressive overload is the gradual increase of the challenge provided by the training variables (such as volume, load, or frequency) in order to elicit a training effect.

Prioritization of training refers to the need to determine the main goal on which to focus in a training phase. It's difficult to successfully achieve results towards multiple goals at the same time. Therefore, it's best to choose one goal to focus on at a time. This main goal can change for a subsequent training phase.

90.

Which of the following is an appropriate strength ratio for the biceps and triceps?

  • 1:1

  • 3:1

  • 2:3

  • 3:2

Correct answer: 1:1

A muscle imbalance is when there is a discrepancy between the strength of two opposing muscles. This can lead to a decrease in mobility, increased risk of injury, decreased muscular performance, and even pain.

The most common causes of muscle imbalances are postural misalignments due to poor posture, overtraining of certain muscle groups, or incorrect exercise form when performing exercises.

Muscle balance is crucial for optimal functioning and to avoid injury. One way to measure whether or not your client has a muscle imbalance is to refer to the Appropriate Strength Ratios chart. If you are focusing on the elbow, the appropriate strength ratio for the biceps and triceps is 1:1.

91.

What is the recommended MINIMUM number of days per week to participate in flexibility training?

  • 2 to 3 days

  • 4 to 5 days

  • 1 to 2 days

  • 3 to 4 days

Correct answer: 2 to 3 days

Stretching exercises are most effective when performed daily, with two to four stretch repetitions per muscle group. With that said, current recommendations for stretches are at least two to three days a week.

92.

All the following are appropriate cues EXCEPT:

  • “Don't lock your knees.”

  • “Make sure to keep breathing.”

  • “Try to keep your gaze straight ahead.”

  • “Relax your shoulders.”

Correct answer: “Don't lock your knees.”

It is important as a personal trainer to call out all cues in a positive way. 

The constant use of the word “don't” sounds negative and can elicit feelings of discouragement. For example, “Make sure to always keep a slight bend in your knees” sounds better than “Don't lock your knees.”

93.

Your business partner is ready to file an LLC with you. They claim that they have experience working in another state with a lawyer in order to follow the proper laws and rules. They also claim that they are ready to start operating as soon as possible, and will take care of the necessary paperwork.

How should you respond?

  • Insist on consulting with a legal professional before proceeding

  • Agree to start operating next week after the necessary paperwork is filed

  • Insist on bringing in another partner before proceeding

  • Wait until the licensing ID is issued before proceeding

Correct answer: Insist on consulting with a legal professional before proceeding

Some states have different laws regarding the rules and operating procedures of an LLC. Additionally, the taxes owed by the owners may differ based on the state due to a lack of consistent guidelines. Therefore, it would be best practice to consult for legal advice on establishing and starting a business in the state of practice.

Bringing in another partner or waiting for a licensing ID will not address the issue of following the specific laws and rules of the state of operation.

94.

All the following are appropriate training goals for an individual with a BMI greater than 30, EXCEPT:

  • Decrease lean body mass

  • Maximize caloric expenditure

  • Promote appetite control

  • Improve metabolic profile

Correct answer: Decrease lean body mass

By providing responsible and safe exercise programs that focus on promoting adherence to an active lifestyle that matches closely with appropriate dietary strategies, personal trainers can have their greatest impact on obese clients. The common exercise program goals for obese individuals are as follows:

  • Maximize caloric expenditure
  • Maintain or increase lean body mass
  • Improve metabolic profile
  • Lower the risk of comorbidities
  • Lower mortality risk
  • Promote appetite control
  • Improve mood state

95.

Which of the following is NOT a reason to keep an accurate and up-to-date medical history for a client?

  • To compare to other client histories

  • Motivation and goal development 

  • Protection from liability 

  • Assist with program design

Correct answer: To compare other client histories

It is the trainer's responsibility to protect personal medical information, and it would be unwise and potentially against the law to share it (HIPAA). 

Keeping accurate and up-to-date records will motivate the client to make progress, protect you from liability, and assist in general fitness program design.

96.

You are conducting a fitness assessment on Amy, who is a potential client. When you measure her resting blood pressure, her result is 145/79 (mmHg). If repeated testing on subsequent days produces similar results, and the standard for comparison is 120/80, what condition might this indicate?

  • Systolic hypertension

  • Systolic hypotension

  • Diastolic hypertension

  • Diastolic hypotension

Correct answer: Systolic hypertension

Hypertension refers to an elevation above a standard level of arterial pressure, either during ventricular contraction (systolic) or during ventricular relaxation (diastolic). The opposite is hypotension, which indicates low blood pressure.

The top number in a blood pressure measurement represents the systolic blood pressure and the lower number represents the diastolic blood pressure. Your measurement of Amy's blood pressure (BP) shows an elevated systolic number, which could be an indication of systolic hypertension.

Amy's measurement could indicate the possibility of systolic hypertension. The measurement should be taken on multiple days for comparison, as it's possible for the BP to be acutely elevated. In addition, only a medical professional can provide a diagnosis. Therefore, Amy should be recommended to a health care professional for further evaluation.

97.

What is the correct order of progression for changing the displacement of the center of mass when performing balance exercises?

  • Leaning backward; turning in a circle; crossover walking

  • Leaning backward; crossover walking; turning in a circle

  • Crossover walking; turning in a circle; leaning backward

  • Crossover walking; leaning backward; turning in a circle

Correct answer: Leaning backward; turning in a circle; crossover walking

The intensity of balance training exercises can be adjusted by changing an individual's stance, center of mass, or peripheral input. Each of these categories has an appropriate progression of intensity that can be used to match your client's ability level.

When changing the center of mass, leaning in any direction—forward, backward, or side to side—results in a lower intensity. Turning in a circle, stepping over an object, or shifting the body weight from side to side presents a moderate level of intensity. Crossover walking and balancing on an unstable surface such as a rocker platform or a large ball provide the highest intensity to challenge an individual's balance.

98.

Which of the following components of a corporation would be notified FIRST in the event of a lawsuit?

  • The registered agent

  • The majority owner

  • The shareholders

  • The corporate lawyer

Correct answer: The registered agent

The registered agent is the contact person in the event of a lawsuit.

This title can be held by the attorney or founder/owner, but that isn't always the case. There is only one registered agent, so multiple shareholders holding the title is not possible.

99.

Phase 2 Korotkoff sounds typically occur how long after the onset of Phase 1 sounds?

  • 10 to 15 mmHg

  • 5 to 10 mmHg

  • 15 to 20 mmHg

  • 20 to 25 mmHg

Correct answer: 10 to 15 mmHg

To measure blood pressure, the personal trainer must be able to listen to and distinguish between the sounds of the blood as it moves from an area of high pressure to that of lower pressure while the air is let out of the pumped-up cuff. These sounds are known as Korotkoff sounds and take place across five phases.

Phase 2 sounds can be defined as a soft tapping or murmur. They are often longer than those in the first phase. Phase 2 sounds are typically 10 to 15 mmHg after the onset of Phase 1 sounds.

100.

Which of the following waist-to-hip ratios (WHR) would be considered to elevate the risk of disease for a male client?

  • 0.96

  • 0.81

  • 0.93

  • 0.5

Correct answer: 0.96

The following waist-to-hip ratios (WHR) are considered a very high health risk for a number of diseases:

  • Greater than 0.86 for women
  • Greater than 0.95 for men

The waist-to-hip ratio is one of the most used clinical applications of girth measurement, as the pattern of body weight distribution is recognized as an important predictor of health risks of obesity. Individuals with more weight or circumference on the trunk are at higher risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and coronary artery disease.