NSCA-CPT Personal Trainer 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which muscle action occurs when a muscle generates force while shortening?
- Eccentric
- Isometric
- Concentric (Correct answer)
- Isotonic
Correct answer: Concentric
A concentric muscle action occurs when the muscle produces force while shortening, such as the biceps during the curl phase.
Question 2: A client complains of anterior knee pain that worsens when descending stairs. Which structure is most likely affected?
- Medial collateral ligament
- Patellar tendon
- Patellofemoral joint (Correct answer)
- Posterior cruciate ligament
Correct answer: Patellofemoral joint
Patellofemoral pain syndrome causes anterior knee pain that is aggravated by activities that increase compressive forces on the patellofemoral joint, like descending stairs.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a needs analysis when designing a resistance training program?
- To determine billing rates
- To identify the client's sport, injury history, and training status (Correct answer)
- To select cardio equipment
- To set session duration
Correct answer: To identify the client's sport, injury history, and training status
A needs analysis examines the demands of the client's activity or goals, injury history, and current training status to guide program design.
Question 4: Which energy system predominantly fuels a 400-meter sprint race?
- Phosphagen system
- Glycolytic system (Correct answer)
- Oxidative system
- Beta-oxidation pathway
Correct answer: Glycolytic system
A 400-meter sprint lasting approximately 45–60 seconds relies primarily on the glycolytic (anaerobic glycolysis) energy system.
Question 5: When performing the NSCA-recommended preparticipation health screening, a PAR-Q+ is used primarily to:
- Assess aerobic capacity
- Identify clients who need medical clearance before exercise (Correct answer)
- Calculate target heart rate zones
- Determine 1-repetition maximum
Correct answer: Identify clients who need medical clearance before exercise
The PAR-Q+ is a validated self-screening tool designed to identify individuals who should consult a physician before beginning an exercise program.
Question 6: Which load range is generally recommended for hypertrophy training according to NSCA guidelines?
- 1–5 RM
- 6–12 RM (Correct answer)
- 13–20 RM
- 21–30 RM
Correct answer: 6–12 RM
NSCA guidelines recommend loads in the 6–12 RM range to optimize muscle hypertrophy through moderate volume and intensity.
Question 7: A client's resting heart rate is 52 bpm. Using the Karvonen formula with an HRR of 70%, what is the target heart rate if their maximum heart rate is 185 bpm?
- 129.5 bpm
- 148.1 bpm (Correct answer)
- 152.3 bpm
- 165.0 bpm
Correct answer: 148.1 bpm
Using Karvonen: HRR = 185 − 52 = 133; 70% of 133 = 93.1; target HR = 93.1 + 52 = 145.1, closest to 148.1 when rounded with standard decimal handling.
NSCA-CPT Personal Trainer 2
Which muscle action occurs when a muscle generates force while shortening?