ACE Cardiorespiratory Program Design 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which component of the FITT-VP principle refers to the total amount of exercise performed, combining frequency, intensity, and time?
- Volume (Correct answer)
- Progression
- Type
- Pattern
Correct answer: Volume
Volume represents the overall exercise dose and is calculated as the product of frequency, intensity, and duration.
Question 2: A client's submaximal cycle ergometer test produces the following result: HR = 160 bpm at 150 watts. Which variable MOST directly limits further increases in VO2 in a healthy untrained adult?
- Pulmonary diffusion capacity
- Cardiac output (Correct answer)
- Muscle fiber type ratio
- Blood pH buffering capacity
Correct answer: Cardiac output
In untrained individuals, cardiac output (stroke volume × heart rate) is the primary limiting factor for maximal oxygen uptake.
Question 3: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is MOST appropriate for which client profile?
- A 65-year-old with poorly controlled hypertension
- A deconditioned individual beginning their first exercise program
- A fit client seeking to break through a performance plateau (Correct answer)
- A client with severe osteoporosis
Correct answer: A fit client seeking to break through a performance plateau
HIIT provides greatest benefit to already-fit clients looking to improve performance; it is too intense for deconditioned or high-risk populations.
Question 4: What is the primary energy system used during a 10-minute moderate-intensity jog?
- Phosphagen (ATP-PCr)
- Fast glycolysis (anaerobic)
- Oxidative phosphorylation (aerobic) (Correct answer)
- Mixed phosphagen and fast glycolysis
Correct answer: Oxidative phosphorylation (aerobic)
Activities lasting longer than ~2–3 minutes at moderate intensity rely predominantly on oxidative phosphorylation for ATP production.
Question 5: Which cardiorespiratory training method uses a single, continuous effort at a steady-state intensity throughout the entire session?
- Fartlek training
- Long slow distance (LSD) (Correct answer)
- Interval training
- Circuit training
Correct answer: Long slow distance (LSD)
Long slow distance training maintains a constant moderate intensity for an extended duration without variation in pace.
Question 6: RPE of 13–14 on the 6–20 Borg scale most closely corresponds to which intensity descriptor?
- Light
- Somewhat hard (Correct answer)
- Hard (heavy)
- Very hard
Correct answer: Somewhat hard
An RPE of 13–14 on the Borg scale corresponds to 'somewhat hard,' roughly equating to moderate-intensity exercise near VT1.
Question 7: A trainer designs a cardio session with 4 × 4-minute bouts at 85–95% HRmax with 3-minute active recovery. Which training method does this BEST describe?
- Steady-state aerobic training
- Fartlek training
- High-intensity interval training (HIIT) (Correct answer)
- Circuit resistance training
Correct answer: High-intensity interval training (HIIT)
Work-to-rest intervals at near-maximal heart rate with defined recovery periods define classic HIIT protocol structure.
ACE Cardiorespiratory Program Design 3
Which component of the FITT-VP principle refers to the total amount of exercise performed, combining frequency, intensity, and time?