Practice Test GeeksACSM Practice Test
← All ACSM Flashcard Decks

Cardiovascular Fitness Flashcards

7 cards from real ACSM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Cardiovascular Fitness flashcards as text

  1. A client's RPE is 13 on the Borg 6–20 scale during a treadmill test. What approximate percentage of VO2max does this correspond to?

    Answer: 65–75%

    An RPE of 13 ('somewhat hard') on the Borg scale corresponds roughly to 65–75% of VO2max in most trained individuals.

  2. When prescribing cardiovascular exercise using METs, which daily activity is approximately 3 METs?

    Answer: Slow walking at 2 mph

    Slow walking at approximately 2 mph requires about 2.5–3.0 METs, placing it at a light activity level.

  3. According to ACSM guidelines, what is the minimum recommended weekly volume of moderate-intensity cardiovascular exercise for most healthy adults?

    Answer: 150 minutes

    ACSM recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity for substantial health benefits in adults.

  4. Which test protocol would be most appropriate for a sedentary, apparently healthy 60-year-old beginning a fitness program?

    Answer: Balke-Ware protocol

    The Balke-Ware protocol uses smaller, more gradual increments in workload, making it safer and more appropriate for sedentary or older individuals.

  5. Fick's equation for VO2 is expressed as VO2 = cardiac output × a-vO2 difference. If cardiac output doubles and a-vO2 difference increases by 50%, what happens to VO2?

    Answer: Triples

    VO2 = 2Q × 1.5(a-vO2) = 3× the original VO2, so oxygen consumption triples.

  6. What cardiovascular response is considered an absolute contraindication for continuing a graded exercise test?

    Answer: A drop in systolic BP of ≥10 mmHg with increasing workload

    A decrease in systolic blood pressure of ≥10 mmHg despite increasing exercise intensity indicates possible cardiac dysfunction and is an absolute stop criterion.

  7. Which concept describes the highest exercise intensity at which lactate production and clearance are balanced, commonly used to set endurance training zones?

    Answer: Lactate threshold

    The lactate threshold is the highest intensity at which lactate appearance equals clearance, and it is a key marker for endurance performance and training prescription.