ACSM-EP Exercise Prescription 5

Question 1

According to ACSM, what is the recommended volume of aerobic physical activity per week that provides additional health benefits beyond the minimum?

Accepted Answer

300 minutes of moderate-intensity or 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity

Answer

ACSM and DHHS guidelines indicate that 300+ min/week of moderate or 150+ min/week of vigorous activity provides additional health and fitness benefits.

Question 2

Which ACSM principle states that the body must be stressed beyond its current capacity for training adaptations to occur?

Accepted Answer

Overload principle

Answer

The overload principle dictates that training stress must exceed habitual levels to stimulate physiological adaptations in strength, endurance, or flexibility.

Question 3

A deconditioned client with obesity begins a walking program. After 4 weeks, they report the same walks feel easier. How should the exercise physiologist progress the program?

Accepted Answer

Increase duration, frequency, or intensity incrementally to maintain progressive overload

Answer

When exercise feels easier (RPE drops), the stimulus has become sub-threshold; progressive overload must be reapplied to continue driving adaptations.

Question 4

Which cool-down strategy is MOST appropriate immediately following a high-intensity aerobic exercise session?

Accepted Answer

5–10 minutes of low-intensity aerobic activity followed by static stretching

Answer

A gradual reduction in exercise intensity allows venous return to normalize, reduces orthostatic hypotension risk, and prepares muscles for stretching.

Question 5

For an individual with type 2 diabetes, which exercise prescription precaution is MOST important to address?

Accepted Answer

Monitor blood glucose before, during, and after exercise to manage hypoglycemia risk

Answer

Blood glucose monitoring is critical for diabetic clients because exercise can cause hypoglycemia, particularly in those using insulin or sulfonylureas.

ACSM Practice Test

ACSM Practice Test

ACSM-EP Exercise Prescription 5