NASM-CPT Exercise Science Fundamentals 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a box jump, which phase of the stretch-shortening cycle is the brief transition between landing (eccentric loading) and takeoff (concentric force)?
- Amortization phase (Correct answer)
- Isometric phase
- Deceleration phase
- Integration phase
Correct answer: Amortization phase
The amortization phase is the dynamic stabilization period between the eccentric and concentric phases, and shorter amortization produces more power.
Question 2: A client training for a marathon will rely most on which muscle fiber type, characterized by high mitochondrial and capillary density?
- Type IIx
- Type IIa
- Type I (Correct answer)
- Type IIb
Correct answer: Type I
Type I (slow-twitch) fibers are small, fatigue-resistant, and rich in mitochondria and capillaries, making them ideal for endurance.
Question 3: According to Henneman's size principle, how are motor units recruited as force demands increase?
- Largest to smallest
- Randomly based on fatigue
- Smallest to largest (Correct answer)
- All motor units fire simultaneously
Correct answer: Smallest to largest
The size principle states that smaller, low-threshold motor units are recruited first, followed by larger, high-threshold units as force needs rise.
Question 4: Which principle explains why bone density increases in response to the mechanical loads placed on it during resistance training?
- Davis's law
- Wolff's law (Correct answer)
- Hooke's law
- Newton's third law
Correct answer: Wolff's law
Wolff's law states that bone adapts and remodels according to the loads placed upon it.
Question 5: The elbow joint during a biceps curl is an example of which class of lever, the most common type in the human body?
- First-class lever
- Second-class lever
- Third-class lever (Correct answer)
- Fourth-class lever
Correct answer: Third-class lever
In a third-class lever the effort (biceps insertion) lies between the fulcrum (elbow) and the resistance (weight in the hand).
Question 6: Which energy system is the primary supplier of ATP during an all-out effort lasting about 45-60 seconds, such as a 400-meter sprint?
- ATP-PC system
- Anaerobic glycolysis (Correct answer)
- Oxidative (aerobic) system
- Beta-oxidation
Correct answer: Anaerobic glycolysis
Anaerobic glycolysis predominates for high-intensity efforts lasting roughly 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
Question 7: A client with chronically tight hip flexors shows reduced neural drive to the gluteus maximus. What is this phenomenon called?
- Autogenic inhibition
- Reciprocal inhibition
- Altered reciprocal inhibition (Correct answer)
- Synergistic dominance
Correct answer: Altered reciprocal inhibition
Altered reciprocal inhibition occurs when a tight agonist decreases neural drive to its functional antagonist.