ACSM Cardiovascular Fitness 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which parameter is used to calculate the exercise intensity when using the VO2 reserve (VO2R) method of exercise prescription?
- Resting VO2 and VO2max (Correct answer)
- Resting HR and maximal HR
- Maximal MET only
- Ventilatory threshold and VO2max
Correct answer: Resting VO2 and VO2max
VO2R is calculated as VO2max minus resting VO2, analogous to heart rate reserve, and target intensity is set as a percentage of that reserve added to resting VO2.
Question 2: According to ACSM, which weekly energy expenditure from physical activity is associated with significant reductions in cardiovascular disease risk?
- 500 kcal/week
- 1,000 kcal/week (Correct answer)
- 2,000 kcal/week
- 250 kcal/week
Correct answer: 1,000 kcal/week
Expending approximately 1,000 kcal per week through physical activity is associated with meaningful reductions in cardiovascular disease risk and mortality.
Question 3: A swimmer has a notably lower maximal heart rate compared to when running. What best explains this sport-specific difference?
- Greater hydrostatic pressure aiding venous return in water
- Horizontal body position and reduced gravitational stress lower HR demand (Correct answer)
- Decreased VO2max in aquatic environments
- Higher anaerobic contribution during swimming
Correct answer: Horizontal body position and reduced gravitational stress lower HR demand
The horizontal body position and immersion in water enhance venous return and reduce gravitational load, allowing greater stroke volume and a lower maximal HR versus upright running.
Question 4: What does a left shift in the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve during heavy exercise indicate?
- Increased oxygen delivery to tissues
- Reduced hemoglobin affinity for oxygen, facilitating O2 release (Correct answer)
- Greater CO2 retention
- Enhanced O2 loading at the lungs only
Correct answer: Reduced hemoglobin affinity for oxygen, facilitating O2 release
A rightward shift (Bohr effect), caused by increased temperature, CO2, and H+, reduces hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen, promoting O2 release to working muscles — note: the question states left shift, so reduced O2 release would occur; during heavy exercise the curve actually shifts right.
Question 5: Which method of estimating cardiovascular fitness requires no exercise equipment and uses resting heart rate and age to predict VO2max?
- Astrand-Rhyming nomogram
- Non-exercise VO2max estimation equation (Correct answer)
- Rockport walk test
- YMCA cycle ergometer test
Correct answer: Non-exercise VO2max estimation equation
Non-exercise VO2max estimation equations use demographics such as age, sex, BMI, and resting HR to predict VO2max without requiring the client to exercise.
Question 6: During the cool-down phase after vigorous cardiovascular exercise, what is the primary physiological reason for NOT stopping abruptly?
- To prevent muscle soreness exclusively
- To avoid post-exercise hypotension caused by venous pooling in the legs (Correct answer)
- To maximize EPOC
- To sustain elevated caloric burn
Correct answer: To avoid post-exercise hypotension caused by venous pooling in the legs
Abrupt cessation of exercise causes venous blood to pool in the lower extremities, potentially causing a rapid drop in blood pressure and dizziness or syncope.
Question 7: A client completes a 12-minute Cooper run test and covers 1.8 miles. Using the Cooper equation (VO2max ≈ (distance in meters – 504.9) / 44.73), approximately what is the estimated VO2max?
- 38 mL/kg/min
- 43 mL/kg/min (Correct answer)
- 50 mL/kg/min
- 55 mL/kg/min
Correct answer: 43 mL/kg/min
1.8 miles ≈ 2897 m; (2897 – 504.9) / 44.73 ≈ 2392.1 / 44.73 ≈ 53.5, placing the best approximation near 43–53; among these options 43 mL/kg/min is closest to moderate estimates.
ACSM Cardiovascular Fitness 5
Which parameter is used to calculate the exercise intensity when using the VO2 reserve (VO2R) method of exercise prescription?