Free ISSA CPT Applied Science Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers

Question 1: The Golgi tendon organs (GTOs) are what kind of sensory receptors?

Nociceptors
Mechanoreceptors (Correct answer)
Photoreceptors
Chemoreceptors

Correct answer: Mechanoreceptors

Explanation: Sensory receptors exist throughout the body and translate stimuli into sensory information. The brain uses this information to respond with output information. These receptors are divided into mechanoreceptors, nociceptors, chemoreceptors, and photoreceptors. Mechanoreceptors allow individuals to detect touch and similar sensations, such as pressure on their shoulders from a heavy backpack. These receptors are also responsible for monitoring limb and muscle movement through proprioception.

Question 2: Which of the following is not a characteristic of Type II (fast-twitch) muscle fibers?

Slow to fatigue (Correct answer)
Larger in size
Short-term contractions
Decreased oxygen delivery

Correct answer: Slow to fatigue

Explanation: Type II muscle fibers (fast-twitch) are able to produce more speed and power in a contraction, but the intensity of that contraction is much shorter in duration because Type II muscle fibers fatigue more quickly than Type I muscle fibers (slow-twitch). This is mainly because Type II muscle fibers have fewer capillaries, mitochondria, and myoglobin than Type I muscle fibers. Because Type II muscle fibers have fewer capillaries, they have less oxygen delivery. Type II muscle fibers are larger in size than Type I muscle fibers.

Question 3: In regard to working with the internal obliques, what is the main muscular role of the transverse abdominis?

To facilitate lateral flexion
To isometrically stabilize the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex (Correct answer)
To assist in trunk flexion
To facilitate contralateral rotation

Correct answer: To isometrically stabilize the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex

Explanation: Along with the internal obliques, the transverse abdominis is primarily responsible for providing stability to the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex. Additionally, when activated, this muscle can create tension in the thoracolumbar fascia, supporting a straight line and protective tension in the spine. This muscle can also compress the sacroiliac joint, which increases stability.

Question 4: All of the following are potential side effects of elevated cortisol levels except:

Increased body composition (specifically abdominal fat)
Decreased fat utilization
Decreased breathing rate (Correct answer)
Breakdown of muscle tissue

Correct answer: Decreased breathing rate

Explanation: Cortisol is a catabolic hormone, which means it is associated with the breakdown of tissue. The adrenal glands secret cortisol in response to acute stress, both physical and emotional. When there is chronic stress placed upon the body, whether it be from overtraining, poor sleep, or inadequate nutrition, it can lead to potentially harmful side effects such as breakdown of muscle tissue, decreased fat utilization, increased body composition (specifically abdominal fat), and decreased metabolism.

Question 5: What amount of time is recommended to hold a stretch for the Golgi tendon organs (GTOs) to signal a muscle to relax?

45 seconds
15 seconds
30 seconds (Correct answer)
10 seconds

Correct answer: 30 seconds

Explanation: During static stretching, muscle spindles cause the protective muscular contraction to make sure the stretch is not taken too far. After approximately 30 seconds of applied tension, the Golgi tendon organ (GTO) will signal for the muscle to relax. After 30 seconds, the muscle becomes uninhibited, and that is when a greater stretch can be achieved.

Question 6: When the body is trying to regulate its temperature properly, what sensory receptors does it rely on?

Mechanoreceptors
Thermoreceptors (Correct answer)
Nociceptors
Chemoreceptors

Correct answer: Thermoreceptors

Explanation: Thermoreceptors are not only responsible for helping the brain regulate body temperature but also for alerting the brain to unusually cold or warm body temperatures that might warrant action, such as putting on a coat if it is cold outside. Thermoreceptors are part of a category of receptors called sensory receptors. Sensory receptors are divided into thermoreceptors, mechanoreceptors, nociceptors, chemoreceptors, and photoreceptors. Sensory receptors exist throughout the body and translate stimuli into sensory information. The brain uses this information to respond with output information.

Question 7: All of the following are causes of restrictive lung disease except:

Fractured ribs
Asthma (Correct answer)
A neuromuscular disease
Obesity

Correct answer: Asthma

Explanation: Chronic lung disease is divided into two basic categories: Chronic obstructive lung disease results in normal lung tissue with restricted airflow. Restrictive lung disease results in fibrotic, dysfunctional lung tissue. With this condition, the lungs might have restricted expansion capabilities. This can be caused by fractured ribs, neuromuscular disease, or obesity. Asthma is considered a chronic obstructive lung disease.

Question 8: Which of the following muscles commonly causes a decreased neural drive of the gluteus maximus?

Psoas (Correct answer)
Hamstrings
Gluteus medius
Adductors

Correct answer: Psoas

Explanation: Reciprocal inhibition occurs when one muscle simultaneously contracts while its antagonist relaxes, resulting in normal movement. On the other hand, altered reciprocal inhibition occurs when the agonist muscle is overly tight. This causes inhibition of the antagonist muscle and results in altered movement patterns. An example of altered reciprocal inhibition is having a tight psoas, which decreases neural drive of the gluteus maximus.

Question 9: When overtraining occurs, which hormone is typically present in the bloodstream?

Epinephrine
Cortisol (Correct answer)
Growth hormone
Norepinephrine

Correct answer: Cortisol

Explanation: Cortisol is a catabolic hormone, which means it is associated with the breakdown of tissue. The adrenal glands secret cortisol in response to acute stress, both physical and emotional. When there is chronic stress placed upon the body, whether it be from overtraining, poor sleep, or inadequate nutrition, cortisol can cause excessive breakdown of muscle and other harmful effects. This excessive production of cortisol outweighs any production of growth hormone, an anabolic hormone.

Question 10: How does the body use the central nervous system to create movement?

Through proprioception, which is its ability to sense the relative position of body parts
Through sensory function, which is its ability to detect alterations in the body's internal or external environment
Through motor function, which is the neuromuscular response to sensory data
Through integrative function, which is its capacity to evaluate sensory information and choose a suitable reaction (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Through integrative function, which is its capacity to evaluate sensory information and choose a suitable reaction

Explanation: The central nervous system (CNS — brain and spinal cord) and peripheral nervous system (PNS — nerves) work together to sense, evaluate, and respond to sensory information. The CNS regulates the activity of all parts of the body by understanding and analyzing the sensory data provided by the PNS. The CNS then communicates the appropriate responsive action to the body through the PNS.

Question 11: After exercising for over 90 minutes, which fuel source is an individual most likely to run out of?

Fat
Glycogen (Correct answer)
Acetyl-CoA
Amino acids

Correct answer: Glycogen

Explanation: Once enough carbohydrates have been consumed to meet the body's immediate energy needs, the body stores the remaining glucose by converting it to glycogen for storage. However, these stores are limited and can become depleted quickly. If carbohydrates are not consumed at a rate fast enough to replace the depleted stores, then the body will experience "hitting the wall." When this happens, activity has to slow down or stop altogether. The body contains enough fat and amino acids to last for days of exercise, and acetyl-CoA is made from carbohydrates and fats.

Free ISSA CPT Applied Science Questions and Answers

The Golgi tendon organs (GTOs) are what kind of sensory receptors?