ACSM-CPT ACSM-CPT Cardiorespiratory Fitness 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What physiological adaptation increases stroke volume at rest following regular aerobic training?
- Increased sympathetic tone
- Cardiac hypertrophy and increased end-diastolic volume (Correct answer)
- Faster SA node firing rate
- Reduced blood plasma volume
Correct answer: Cardiac hypertrophy and increased end-diastolic volume
Regular aerobic training causes the left ventricle to hypertrophy and fill with more blood during diastole, increasing stroke volume at rest and during exercise.
Question 2: Which zone training intensity is associated with the lactate threshold?
- Below 55% VO2 max
- 60–70% VO2 max (Correct answer)
- 85–90% VO2 max
- Above 95% VO2 max
Correct answer: 60–70% VO2 max
The lactate threshold typically occurs at approximately 60–70% of VO2 max in untrained individuals and represents the point where lactate begins to accumulate in the blood.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a talk test during cardiorespiratory exercise?
- To measure heart rate accuracy
- To estimate exercise intensity based on conversational ability (Correct answer)
- To assess resting blood pressure
- To determine VO2 max
Correct answer: To estimate exercise intensity based on conversational ability
The talk test is a simple method to gauge exercise intensity: if a client can comfortably hold a conversation, they are at moderate intensity.
Question 4: Interval training alternates periods of high intensity with periods of what?
- Maximal effort
- Active recovery or rest (Correct answer)
- Static stretching
- Resistance training
Correct answer: Active recovery or rest
Interval training involves alternating bouts of high-intensity exercise with lower-intensity recovery periods to allow partial recovery before the next work interval.
Question 5: Which acute cardiovascular response occurs during aerobic exercise?
- Decreased heart rate
- Increased systolic blood pressure (Correct answer)
- Decreased cardiac output
- Decreased stroke volume
Correct answer: Increased systolic blood pressure
Systolic blood pressure rises during aerobic exercise due to increased cardiac output, while diastolic blood pressure remains relatively stable or decreases slightly.
Question 6: FITT stands for which four training variables?
- Force, Intensity, Time, Type
- Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type (Correct answer)
- Frequency, Interval, Training, Tempo
- Force, Interval, Tempo, Type
Correct answer: Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type
The FITT principle stands for Frequency, Intensity, Time (duration), and Type, which are the key variables manipulated when designing cardiorespiratory programs.
ACSM-CPT ACSM-CPT Cardiorespiratory Fitness 2
What physiological adaptation increases stroke volume at rest following regular aerobic training?