ACSM-EP Behavior Change & Client Communication 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of feedback is MOST effective for sustaining long-term exercise adherence?
- Evaluative feedback focusing only on performance outcomes
- Informational feedback combined with positive reinforcement (Correct answer)
- Prescriptive feedback that tells the client exactly what to do next
- Comparative feedback showing how the client ranks against peers
Correct answer: Informational feedback combined with positive reinforcement
Combining informational feedback (what and why) with positive reinforcement supports motivation and helps clients track meaningful progress.
Question 2: A client who has maintained a regular exercise routine for eight months is BEST classified in which TTM stage?
- Action
- Maintenance (Correct answer)
- Preparation
- Termination
Correct answer: Maintenance
The Maintenance stage begins after six months of sustained behavior change, during which individuals work to prevent relapse.
Question 3: Which approach BEST illustrates the use of stimulus control as a behavior change strategy?
- Rewarding the client with praise after each completed session
- Laying out workout clothes the night before to cue exercise (Correct answer)
- Having the client track daily caloric intake
- Teaching the client progressive muscle relaxation
Correct answer: Laying out workout clothes the night before to cue exercise
Stimulus control involves modifying environmental cues to make healthy behavior more likely, such as preparing equipment in advance.
Question 4: When should an exercise physiologist use an open-ended question during a counseling session?
- To confirm that the client understood specific instructions
- To invite the client to elaborate on their thoughts, feelings, or experiences (Correct answer)
- To quickly gather demographic information at intake
- To redirect a client who is off-topic
Correct answer: To invite the client to elaborate on their thoughts, feelings, or experiences
Open-ended questions cannot be answered with 'yes' or 'no,' which encourages clients to share richer information about their perspectives.
Question 5: A client states they will exercise 'when they have time.' According to the principles of behavior change, this indicates a lack of:
- Intrinsic motivation
- Implementation intention (Correct answer)
- Social support
- Outcome expectancy
Correct answer: Implementation intention
Implementation intentions specify the when, where, and how of a behavior, bridging the gap between intention and action.
Question 6: Which technique involves helping a client identify the discrepancy between their current behavior and their broader personal values or life goals?
- Decisional balance
- Developing discrepancy (Correct answer)
- Counter-conditioning
- Self-monitoring
Correct answer: Developing discrepancy
Developing discrepancy is a motivational interviewing strategy that highlights the gap between current behavior and what the client values most.
Question 7: A client experiences a two-week lapse in exercise due to illness. According to relapse prevention theory, the BEST response is to:
- Restart the program at the same intensity level to avoid deconditioning
- Help the client distinguish a lapse from a full relapse and create a plan (Correct answer)
- Reassign the client to the Precontemplation stage
- Recommend professional counseling before resuming exercise
Correct answer: Help the client distinguish a lapse from a full relapse and create a plan
Relapse prevention theory emphasizes distinguishing a temporary lapse from a full relapse and developing coping strategies to resume behavior.
ACSM-EP Behavior Change & Client Communication 4
Which type of feedback is MOST effective for sustaining long-term exercise adherence?