ACSM Client Assessment 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following static posture assessments most directly evaluates sagittal plane alignment from a lateral view?
- Hip width symmetry and pelvic tilt
- Forward head posture, kyphosis, and lumbar lordosis (Correct answer)
- Leg length discrepancy and Q-angle
- Shoulder elevation and clavicular symmetry
Correct answer: Forward head posture, kyphosis, and lumbar lordosis
A lateral (sagittal plane) postural assessment examines forward head position, thoracic kyphosis, and lumbar lordosis curvatures.
Question 2: During a blood pressure measurement, the cuff should be inflated to approximately how many mmHg above the point at which the radial pulse disappears?
- 10 mmHg
- 20 mmHg
- 30 mmHg (Correct answer)
- 50 mmHg
Correct answer: 30 mmHg
The cuff is inflated to approximately 30 mmHg above the level at which the radial pulse disappears to ensure complete arterial occlusion before deflation.
Question 3: A client's total cholesterol is 195 mg/dL and HDL is 38 mg/dL. Does the HDL value represent a positive cardiovascular risk factor per ACSM criteria?
- No, because total cholesterol is below 200 mg/dL
- Yes, because HDL is below 40 mg/dL (Correct answer)
- No, because LDL must be assessed before HDL is classified
- Yes, because the total cholesterol-to-HDL ratio exceeds 5.0
Correct answer: Yes, because HDL is below 40 mg/dL
ACSM classifies HDL <40 mg/dL as a positive cardiovascular risk factor regardless of total cholesterol level.
Question 4: The term 'informed consent' in pre-exercise testing refers to the client's:
- Agreement to follow all exercise prescriptions provided by the fitness professional
- Understanding of the test procedures, risks, and right to withdraw without penalty (Correct answer)
- Acknowledgment that their medical history has been reviewed by a physician
- Verification that all PAR-Q+ questions have been answered truthfully
Correct answer: Understanding of the test procedures, risks, and right to withdraw without penalty
Informed consent ensures clients understand the nature, purpose, risks, and benefits of testing and that they may withdraw at any time without consequence.
Question 5: When using the 7-site Jackson-Pollock skinfold equation for males, which sites are included?
- Chest, abdomen, thigh, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, midaxillary (Correct answer)
- Chest, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, abdominal, midaxillary, biceps
- Triceps, suprailiac, thigh, medial calf, abdominal, subscapular, biceps
- Chest, abdomen, thigh, suprailiac, subscapular, midaxillary, biceps
Correct answer: Chest, abdomen, thigh, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, midaxillary
The 7-site Jackson-Pollock male equation uses chest, abdomen, thigh, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, and midaxillary skinfolds.
Question 6: A client reports smoking 10 cigarettes per day. According to ACSM, current cigarette smoking counts as a positive cardiovascular risk factor if the client:
- Has smoked for more than 10 years regardless of current quantity
- Currently smokes or quit within the past 6 months (Correct answer)
- Smokes more than 1 pack (20 cigarettes) per day
- Currently smokes or quit within the past 12 months
Correct answer: Currently smokes or quit within the past 6 months
ACSM defines current smoking or cessation within the past 6 months as a positive cardiovascular risk factor regardless of quantity smoked.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the purpose of measuring resting oxygen consumption (resting metabolic rate) in a client assessment context?
- To calculate target training heart rate using the Karvonen method
- To establish a true baseline VO2 for calculating VO2 reserve for exercise prescription (Correct answer)
- To determine the client's anaerobic threshold
- To assess pulmonary diffusing capacity and alveolar function
Correct answer: To establish a true baseline VO2 for calculating VO2 reserve for exercise prescription
Resting VO2 (approximately 3.5 mL/kg/min or 1 MET) anchors the VO2 reserve calculation used in the Karvonen-equivalent method for exercise prescription.
ACSM Client Assessment 5
Which of the following static posture assessments most directly evaluates sagittal plane alignment from a lateral view?