ACSM-EP Fundamentals & Core Concepts — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What are the gross oxygen uptake and MET value of walking at 3.0 mph on level ground, using the ACSM walking equation?
- 8.0 mL/kg/min; 2.3 METs
- 11.5 mL/kg/min; 3.3 METs (Correct answer)
- 15.0 mL/kg/min; 4.3 METs
- 19.6 mL/kg/min; 5.6 METs
Correct answer: 11.5 mL/kg/min; 3.3 METs
3.0 mph = 80.4 m/min; VO2 = 0.1(80.4) + 3.5 = 11.5 mL/kg/min = 3.3 METs.
Speed: 3.0 mph x 26.8 = 80.4 m/min. VO2 = 0.1 x 80.4 + 1.8 x 80.4 x 0 + 3.5 = 8.04 + 3.5 = 11.5 mL/kg/min. METs = 11.5 / 3.5 = 3.3. The 8.0 value omits resting VO2, and the higher values come from incorrect speed conversions or equation use. The walking equation is valid for speeds of about 1.9 to 3.7 mph.
Question 2: What is the estimated VO2 of a client running 6.0 mph on a level treadmill, using the ACSM running equation?
- 35.7 mL/kg/min (Correct answer)
- 32.2 mL/kg/min
- 19.6 mL/kg/min
- 41.1 mL/kg/min
Correct answer: 35.7 mL/kg/min
6.0 mph = 160.8 m/min; VO2 = 0.2(160.8) + 3.5 = 35.7 mL/kg/min.
Speed: 6.0 x 26.8 = 160.8 m/min. VO2 = 0.2 x 160.8 + 0.9 x 160.8 x 0 + 3.5 = 32.2 + 3.5 = 35.7 mL/kg/min, or about 10.2 METs. The 32.2 value forgets the resting component, and 19.6 results from incorrectly using the walking coefficient (0.1). Use the running equation when speed exceeds about 5 mph or when the person is truly jogging or running.
Question 3: A 75-kg client pedals a leg cycle ergometer at 100 W. Using the ACSM leg cycling equation, what is the estimated VO2?
- 14.4 mL/kg/min
- 17.9 mL/kg/min
- 21.4 mL/kg/min (Correct answer)
- 28.4 mL/kg/min
Correct answer: 21.4 mL/kg/min
100 W = 600 kg-m/min; VO2 = 1.8(600)/75 + 7 = 14.4 + 7 = 21.4 mL/kg/min.
1 W is about 6 kg-m/min, so 100 W = 600 kg-m/min. VO2 = 1.8 x WR / body mass + 7 = 1.8 x 600 / 75 + 7 = 14.4 + 7 = 21.4 mL/kg/min (about 6.1 METs). The constant 7 equals 3.5 for rest plus 3.5 for unloaded pedaling. Using 3.5 gives 17.9, and omitting the constant gives 14.4.
Question 4: An 80-kg person exercises at 8 METs. About how many kilocalories per minute is this?
- 8.0 kcal/min
- 11.2 kcal/min (Correct answer)
- 14.0 kcal/min
- 5.6 kcal/min
Correct answer: 11.2 kcal/min
kcal/min = METs x 3.5 x body mass (kg) / 200 = 8 x 3.5 x 80 / 200 = 11.2.
Energy expenditure: 8 x 3.5 = 28 mL/kg/min; 28 x 80 kg = 2,240 mL/min = 2.24 L/min; 2.24 x 5 kcal/L = 11.2 kcal/min. This is the same as 8 x 3.5 x 80 / 200. A 30-minute session would burn about 336 kcal. Using 160 instead of 200 gives 14.0, a common error.
Question 5: A client's measured VO2max is 2.8 L/min and he weighs 70 kg. What is his relative VO2max and approximate MET capacity?
- 4.0 mL/kg/min; 1.1 METs
- 25.0 mL/kg/min; 7.1 METs
- 40.0 mL/kg/min; 11.4 METs (Correct answer)
- 196 mL/kg/min; 56 METs
Correct answer: 40.0 mL/kg/min; 11.4 METs
2,800 mL/min / 70 kg = 40 mL/kg/min, and 40 / 3.5 = 11.4 METs.
Relative VO2 = absolute VO2 (mL/min) / body mass (kg) = 2,800 / 70 = 40.0 mL/kg/min. METs = 40.0 / 3.5 = 11.4. Forgetting to convert L to mL gives 0.04, and multiplying by mass gives the unrealistic 196. Relative values allow comparison among people of different size, while absolute values (L/min) matter for non-weight-bearing activity.
Question 6: A client's heart rate is 150 beats/min and stroke volume is 120 mL/beat during exercise. What is his cardiac output?
- 9.0 L/min
- 18.0 L/min (Correct answer)
- 27.0 L/min
- 1.25 L/min
Correct answer: 18.0 L/min
Cardiac output = HR x SV = 150 x 120 mL = 18,000 mL/min = 18.0 L/min.
Q = HR x SV = 150 beats/min x 120 mL/beat = 18,000 mL/min = 18.0 L/min. Resting cardiac output is about 5 L/min, and trained endurance athletes can exceed 30 L/min at maximum. The Fick equation shows VO2 = Q x a-vO2 difference, which is why increases in stroke volume raise VO2max.
