ACSM Safety and Injury Prevention 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is an example of an ABSOLUTE contraindication to exercise testing?
- Controlled hypertension with a resting blood pressure of 145/90 mmHg
- Recent myocardial infarction within 2 days (Correct answer)
- Mild claudication during walking
- Asymptomatic mild valvular disease
Correct answer: Recent myocardial infarction within 2 days
A recent myocardial infarction within 2 days is an absolute contraindication because exercise could extend myocardial damage.
Question 2: During aerobic exercise, a client's blood pressure rises to 250/115 mmHg. The APPROPRIATE response is to:
- Encourage the client to push through, as this is normal for high-intensity exercise
- Stop the exercise and refer the client to a physician (Correct answer)
- Slow the pace slightly and reassess in 5 minutes
- Administer an antihypertensive medication
Correct answer: Stop the exercise and refer the client to a physician
A systolic BP above 250 mmHg or diastolic above 115 mmHg during exercise requires immediate cessation and medical referral.
Question 3: The primary goal of periodization in a training program with respect to injury prevention is to:
- Maximize training volume at all times
- Systematically vary training load to allow for recovery and adaptation (Correct answer)
- Focus exclusively on one fitness component per year
- Eliminate all rest days to maintain fitness gains
Correct answer: Systematically vary training load to allow for recovery and adaptation
Periodization varies training stress and recovery phases, reducing overuse injury risk while promoting progressive adaptation.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes exertional rhabdomyolysis?
- Inflammation of the tendons due to repetitive motion
- Breakdown of muscle tissue releasing myoglobin into the bloodstream (Correct answer)
- Stress fracture of long bones from high-impact activity
- Compression of peripheral nerves during heavy lifting
Correct answer: Breakdown of muscle tissue releasing myoglobin into the bloodstream
Rhabdomyolysis involves muscle fiber breakdown that releases myoglobin, which can damage the kidneys if severe.
Question 5: A participant complains of pain in the anterior shin that worsens with exercise and improves with rest. This pattern is MOST consistent with:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints) (Correct answer)
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Peroneal nerve compression
Correct answer: Medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints)
Medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints) classically presents as anterior shin pain that increases during exercise and resolves with rest.
Question 6: Which stretching type is MOST recommended for the cool-down phase after exercise to reduce injury risk?
- Ballistic stretching
- Static stretching (Correct answer)
- Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) with a partner
- Dynamic stretching
Correct answer: Static stretching
Static stretching during cool-down helps lengthen muscles while they are warm, reducing post-exercise tightness and injury risk.
Question 7: When working with older adults, which modification is MOST important for preventing fall-related injuries during exercise?
- Increasing exercise intensity to improve bone density rapidly
- Incorporating balance and stability training into the program (Correct answer)
- Avoiding all lower-body resistance exercises
- Eliminating rest intervals to maintain cardiovascular stimulus
Correct answer: Incorporating balance and stability training into the program
Balance and stability training directly addresses fall risk, which is the primary injury concern in older adult populations.
ACSM Safety and Injury Prevention 4
Which of the following is an example of an ABSOLUTE contraindication to exercise testing?