Mixed Deck — All ACSM Topics Flashcards
100 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 20 Mixed Deck — All ACSM Topics flashcards as text
What is the primary determinant of diastolic blood pressure?
Answer: Total peripheral resistance
Diastolic blood pressure is primarily determined by total peripheral resistance, which reflects the degree of vasoconstriction in arterioles.
A client wants to lose body fat. Which macronutrient strategy is most supported by ACSM evidence for preserving lean mass during a caloric deficit?
Answer: High protein intake (1.6–2.4 g/kg body weight)
Higher protein intakes (1.6–2.4 g/kg) during caloric restriction help preserve lean muscle mass while promoting fat loss.
During a movement screen, a client shows knee valgus (knees cave inward) during a squat. Which muscle is most likely underactive?
Answer: Gluteus medius
Knee valgus during a squat most often indicates weakness in the gluteus medius, which is responsible for hip abduction and external rotation that controls knee alignment.
The FMS (Functional Movement Screen) is used to:
Answer: Identify asymmetries and movement pattern dysfunctions as risk factors for injury
The FMS uses seven movement patterns to identify asymmetries and dysfunctions that may predispose athletes to injury.
Which neuromuscular mechanism explains the initial strength gains in untrained individuals during the first weeks of resistance training?
Answer: Neural adaptations and motor unit recruitment
Early strength gains in novice trainees are primarily attributed to neural adaptations including improved motor unit recruitment, firing rate, and synchronization.
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.
An exercise physiologist uses reflective listening during a session. What is the PRIMARY purpose of this technique?
Answer: To demonstrate understanding and encourage deeper client self-exploration
Reflective listening communicates empathy and helps clients feel heard, which encourages them to explore their thoughts and feelings more deeply.
Which of the following best describes the effect of dehydration equivalent to 2% of body weight on aerobic exercise performance?
Answer: Up to 20% decrease in aerobic performance capacity
A 2% body weight deficit from dehydration can reduce aerobic performance by approximately 10–20% due to decreased plasma volume and cardiac output.
Which exercise intervention has the MOST evidence for improving gait and motor control in clients with Parkinson's disease?
Answer: Treadmill training with rhythmic cueing and balance exercises
Treadmill training with rhythmic auditory or visual cueing and balance exercises strongly improve gait speed, stride length, and motor control in Parkinson's disease.
ACSM classifies exercise intensity as 'vigorous' when oxygen uptake reserve (VO2R) is in which range?
Answer: 60-89% VO2R
ACSM defines vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise as 60-89% of VO2R, corresponding to harder efforts that substantially elevate breathing and heart rate.
In American College of Sports Medicine, what is the PRIMARY purpose of conducting regular safety drills and exercises?
Answer: To ensure personnel can respond effectively in emergencies
Regular safety drills ensure that all personnel are prepared to respond effectively during actual emergencies. Practice builds muscle memory, identifies gaps in emergency procedures, and improves overall response times.
A client with lactose intolerance wants to meet calcium needs without dairy. Which non-dairy food provides the HIGHEST bioavailable calcium per serving?
Answer: Fortified orange juice
Fortified orange juice provides calcium citrate malate, which has high bioavailability (~36%), comparable to dairy; spinach contains oxalates that inhibit calcium absorption.
On an ECG, what does a pathological Q wave indicate?
Answer: Previous myocardial infarction with myocardial necrosis
Pathological Q waves (>0.04 seconds wide or >25% of R-wave amplitude) reflect electrically silent myocardial scar tissue from a prior transmural infarction.
Which type of stretching is most recommended for improving flexibility and is generally considered the safest for most populations?
Answer: Static stretching
Static stretching, involving holding a position for 15–60 seconds, is widely recommended for improving flexibility with a low injury risk profile.
In ACSM-EP practice, reliability in assessment refers to:
Answer: The consistency and reproducibility of results
Reliability refers to the consistency and reproducibility of assessment results when the test is repeated under similar conditions.
Which hormone primarily stimulates fat mobilization from adipose tissue during prolonged moderate-intensity exercise?
Answer: Epinephrine
Epinephrine activates hormone-sensitive lipase in adipocytes, dramatically increasing free fatty acid release during exercise.
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) reports dyspnea during exercise. Which initial intensity guideline should guide their aerobic program?
Answer: Use a dyspnea rating of 3–4 on the modified Borg Dyspnea Scale as the intensity target
A modified Borg Dyspnea Scale rating of 3–4 (moderate) is the recommended intensity target for COPD patients, balancing training stimulus with respiratory tolerance.
During prolonged exercise lasting 2+ hours, hypoglycemia can impair performance primarily because:
Answer: The central nervous system relies heavily on glucose as fuel
The brain depends almost exclusively on glucose; hypoglycemia impairs CNS function, leading to fatigue, confusion, and cessation of exercise.
Which factor is most important when evaluating the quality of scientific research for ACSM-EP?
Answer: Methodology, sample size, and peer review status
Research quality is best evaluated by examining the methodology, adequacy of sample size, and whether the study has undergone peer review.
During a push-up test, a female client is allowed to use which modified position according to ACSM standards?
Answer: Modified knee push-up
ACSM permits women to perform the modified knee push-up position as the standard for the push-up muscular endurance test.