ACSM Client Assessment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a health history intake, a client reports taking a beta-blocker medication. How does this affect exercise heart rate assessment?
- Heart rate response is blunted, so RPE should be used alongside HR (Correct answer)
- Beta-blockers increase resting heart rate, requiring lower target zones
- Beta-blockers have no effect on exercise heart rate
- Heart rate will be artificially elevated during submaximal exercise
Correct answer: Heart rate response is blunted, so RPE should be used alongside HR
Beta-blockers attenuate heart rate response to exercise, so the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale should supplement heart rate monitoring.
Question 2: Which of the following PAR-Q+ responses would warrant medical clearance before beginning moderate-intensity exercise?
- Client reports occasional muscle soreness after activity
- Client reports chest pain at rest in the past 12 months (Correct answer)
- Client reports a family history of high cholesterol
- Client reports they have not exercised in 6 months
Correct answer: Client reports chest pain at rest in the past 12 months
Chest pain at rest in the past 12 months is a positive PAR-Q+ response that requires medical clearance before exercise participation.
Question 3: A 45-year-old male client has a resting blood pressure of 142/91 mmHg measured on two separate occasions. According to ACSM guidelines, how should this be classified?
- Normal blood pressure
- Elevated blood pressure
- Stage 1 hypertension (Correct answer)
- Stage 2 hypertension
Correct answer: Stage 1 hypertension
Stage 1 hypertension is defined as systolic 130–139 mmHg or diastolic 80–89 mmHg; 142/91 meets the Stage 1 systolic threshold.
Question 4: When assessing body composition using skinfold calipers, the ACSM recommends taking each measurement how many times?
- Once, immediately recording the value
- Twice, using the average if values are within 1–2 mm (Correct answer)
- Three times, rotating through sites before repeating
- Four times, discarding the highest and lowest values
Correct answer: Twice, using the average if values are within 1–2 mm
ACSM recommends taking each skinfold site twice; if values differ by more than 1–2 mm, a third measurement should be taken.
Question 5: Which waist circumference threshold indicates increased cardiovascular risk for women according to ACSM?
- Greater than 80 cm (31.5 in)
- Greater than 88 cm (35 in) (Correct answer)
- Greater than 94 cm (37 in)
- Greater than 102 cm (40 in)
Correct answer: Greater than 88 cm (35 in)
A waist circumference greater than 88 cm (35 inches) in women is associated with increased cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk.
Question 6: During the Rockport 1-Mile Walk Test, which variables are required to estimate VO2max?
- Walk time, heart rate at completion, age, and weight (Correct answer)
- Walk time, resting heart rate, height, and age
- Heart rate at completion, age, height, and VO2 reserve
- Walk time, weight, resting blood pressure, and age
Correct answer: Walk time, heart rate at completion, age, and weight
The Rockport Walk Test equation uses completion time, heart rate at the end of the walk, age, and body weight to estimate VO2max.
Question 7: A client's fasting blood glucose is measured at 108 mg/dL. How should the ACSM-certified professional classify this result?
- Normal fasting glucose
- Impaired fasting glucose (prediabetes) (Correct answer)
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Hypoglycemia
Correct answer: Impaired fasting glucose (prediabetes)
Fasting blood glucose of 100–125 mg/dL is classified as impaired fasting glucose (prediabetes); values ≥126 mg/dL indicate diabetes.
ACSM Client Assessment 2
During a health history intake, a client reports taking a beta-blocker medication.
How does this affect exercise heart rate assessment?