Special Populations 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 Special Populations flashcards as text
A client with fibromyalgia reports increased pain following their first exercise session. What is the most appropriate ACSM-guided response?
Answer: Reduce exercise intensity and duration, then progress very gradually
Post-exertional pain flares are common when beginning exercise with fibromyalgia; the recommended approach is to reduce intensity and duration, then progress very gradually to build tolerance.
Which exercise modality provides the greatest benefit for bone mineral density in postmenopausal women?
Answer: Weight-bearing and resistance exercise
Weight-bearing aerobic activities (walking, jogging) and resistance training apply mechanical stress to bones, stimulating osteoblast activity and helping maintain or improve bone mineral density.
A client with Parkinson's disease exhibits shuffling gait and stooped posture. Which exercise type is most specifically indicated to address these impairments?
Answer: Treadmill training with auditory or visual cueing and postural exercises
Treadmill training with external rhythmic cues (auditory or visual) directly addresses the gait impairments of Parkinson's disease, while postural exercises address the characteristic flexed posture.
When working with a client who has metabolic syndrome, which combination of exercise types is most effective according to ACSM recommendations?
Answer: Aerobic exercise plus resistance training in combination
ACSM recommends a combination of aerobic and resistance training for metabolic syndrome, as each modality addresses different components (glucose regulation, lipids, blood pressure, body composition).
A client with peripheral artery disease (PAD) reports claudication pain at 200 meters of walking. What is the most effective exercise prescription for this client?
Answer: Intermittent walking to near-maximal claudication pain, rest, then repeat
Supervised intermittent walking to near-maximal claudication pain followed by rest is the gold-standard exercise therapy for PAD, promoting collateral circulation and increasing pain-free walking distance.
Which precaution is most critical when prescribing exercise for a client who is immunocompromised following chemotherapy?
Answer: Screen for absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and avoid public gym exposure when ANC is critically low
When ANC is critically low (<0.5×10⁹/L), immunocompromised clients should avoid environments with infection risk; exercise intensity and setting should be adjusted based on current blood counts.
A client with spinal cord injury at T6 is at risk for autonomic dysreflexia during exercise. Which trigger should the exercise professional monitor for?
Answer: Full bladder, skin irritation, or tight equipment causing noxious stimuli below the lesion
Autonomic dysreflexia is triggered by noxious stimuli below the level of injury (full bladder, bowel, tight equipment, skin breakdown), causing dangerous hypertension that must be identified and relieved immediately.