ACSM Exercise Prescription 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to ACSM, what is the recommended number of days per week for moderate-intensity aerobic exercise to improve cardiorespiratory fitness?
- 1-2 days
- 3-5 days (Correct answer)
- 6-7 days
- 2-3 days
Correct answer: 3-5 days
ACSM recommends 3-5 days per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for improving cardiorespiratory fitness.
Question 2: A client with hypertension wants to start an exercise program. Which type of resistance training set configuration does ACSM recommend for this population?
- Heavy single sets to failure
- Circuit training with moderate loads (Correct answer)
- Maximal isometric holds
- Plyometric supersets
Correct answer: Circuit training with moderate loads
ACSM recommends circuit-style resistance training with moderate loads for hypertensive clients to avoid excessive blood pressure spikes.
Question 3: What does the 'T' stand for in the FITT-VP principle of exercise prescription?
- Threshold
- Type (Correct answer)
- Tempo
- Training load
Correct answer: Type
In the FITT-VP acronym, 'T' represents Type, referring to the mode or modality of exercise.
Question 4: Which RPE value on the 6-20 Borg scale corresponds approximately to moderate-intensity exercise for most adults?
- 8-10
- 12-14 (Correct answer)
- 16-18
- 19-20
Correct answer: 12-14
An RPE of 12-14 on the 6-20 Borg scale corresponds to moderate-intensity exercise, roughly 40-59% VO2R.
Question 5: For a previously sedentary older adult (age 65), ACSM recommends starting aerobic exercise at which intensity level?
- Vigorous (≥60% VO2R)
- Moderate (40-59% VO2R) (Correct answer)
- Very light (<30% VO2R)
- Near-maximal (≥80% VO2R)
Correct answer: Moderate (40-59% VO2R)
ACSM recommends older sedentary adults begin at moderate intensity (40-59% VO2R) to reduce injury risk and improve adherence.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of the 'V' (Volume) component in FITT-VP exercise prescription?
- To set the target heart rate zone
- To quantify total work performed per session or week (Correct answer)
- To determine warm-up duration
- To calculate caloric expenditure for weight loss only
Correct answer: To quantify total work performed per session or week
Volume quantifies the total amount of exercise (e.g., total reps, sets, MET-min/week) performed per session or week.
Question 7: A client's target heart rate using the Karvonen formula is calculated as: THR = [(HRmax - HRrest) × intensity%] + HRrest. If HRmax = 180, HRrest = 60, and target intensity = 60%, what is the THR?
- 108 bpm
- 132 bpm (Correct answer)
- 120 bpm
- 144 bpm
Correct answer: 132 bpm
THR = [(180-60) × 0.60] + 60 = [120 × 0.60] + 60 = 72 + 60 = 132 bpm.
ACSM Exercise Prescription 2
According to ACSM, what is the recommended number of days per week for moderate-intensity aerobic exercise to improve cardiorespiratory fitness?