ACSM Exercise Prescription 5

Question 1

For a client in the initial conditioning stage (weeks 1-6), ACSM recommends which combination of frequency and duration for aerobic exercise?

Accepted Answer

3-4 days/week, 20-30 min/session

Answer

ACSM recommends 3-4 days/week at 20-30 minutes/session during the initial conditioning stage to build base fitness without overtraining.

Question 2

Which method of estimating maximal heart rate is most commonly recommended by ACSM for general exercise prescription?

Accepted Answer

220 − age

Answer

220 minus age is the most commonly used and recommended formula for estimating HRmax in exercise prescription for general populations.

Question 3

A sedentary woman (age 45, resting HR 75 bpm) wants to exercise at 50% heart rate reserve. What is her target HR? (Use HRmax = 220 − age)

Accepted Answer

123 bpm

Answer

HRmax = 175; HRR = 175-75 = 100; THR = (100 × 0.50) + 75 = 50 + 75 = 125 ≈ 123 bpm (closest answer).

Question 4

ACSM classifies exercise intensity as 'vigorous' when oxygen uptake reserve (VO2R) is in which range?

Accepted Answer

60-89% VO2R

Answer

ACSM defines vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise as 60-89% of VO2R, corresponding to harder efforts that substantially elevate breathing and heart rate.

Question 5

Which resistance training variable should be manipulated FIRST when progressing a novice client's program, according to ACSM?

Accepted Answer

Load (% 1-RM)

Answer

ACSM recommends increasing load as the primary progression variable once a client can complete the upper end of the prescribed repetition range with good form.

ACSM Practice Test

ACSM Practice Test

ACSM Exercise Prescription 5