ACSM Cardiovascular Fitness 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 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?
- 50–60%
- 65–75% (Correct answer)
- 80–85%
- 90–95%
Correct answer: 65–75%
An RPE of 13 ('somewhat hard') on the Borg scale corresponds roughly to 65–75% of VO2max in most trained individuals.
Question 2: When prescribing cardiovascular exercise using METs, which daily activity is approximately 3 METs?
- Sleeping
- Slow walking at 2 mph (Correct answer)
- Jogging at 5 mph
- Competitive cycling
Correct 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.
Question 3: According to ACSM guidelines, what is the minimum recommended weekly volume of moderate-intensity cardiovascular exercise for most healthy adults?
- 75 minutes
- 150 minutes (Correct answer)
- 300 minutes
- 60 minutes
Correct answer: 150 minutes
ACSM recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity for substantial health benefits in adults.
Question 4: Which test protocol would be most appropriate for a sedentary, apparently healthy 60-year-old beginning a fitness program?
- Bruce treadmill protocol
- Balke-Ware protocol (Correct answer)
- Wingate anaerobic test
- Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test
Correct 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.
Question 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?
- Doubles
- Triples (Correct answer)
- Increases by 50%
- Quadruples
Correct answer: Triples
VO2 = 2Q × 1.5(a-vO2) = 3× the original VO2, so oxygen consumption triples.
Question 6: What cardiovascular response is considered an absolute contraindication for continuing a graded exercise test?
- Heart rate exceeding age-predicted maximum
- A drop in systolic BP of ≥10 mmHg with increasing workload (Correct answer)
- RPE reaching 17 on the Borg scale
- Moderate dyspnea without chest pain
Correct 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.
Question 7: Which concept describes the highest exercise intensity at which lactate production and clearance are balanced, commonly used to set endurance training zones?
- VO2max
- Lactate threshold (Correct answer)
- Oxygen deficit
- Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC)
Correct 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.
ACSM Cardiovascular Fitness 3
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?