FREE ACSM Study Guide + ACSM Practice test + Flashcards for 2020

Q1:  The max amount of time between sets of 1RM bench press attempts is:
A1:  B. 3 minutes

Q2:  Which max heart rate equation needs to be used for stress testing a woman that is middle-aged and asymptomatic?
A2:  A. 206 – (0.88 x age)

Q3:  What is Syncope?
A3:  B. Loss of consciousness

Q4:  Which of these is defined as the study of human movement?
A4:  D. Kinesiology

Q5:  How much time is spent having the trainer speak when they use the client-centered approach during consultation with a client?
A5:  D. 10% to 15% of the time

Q6: The PAR-Q’s purpose is…?
A6: D. To screen clients and take them out of activities that are potentially too hard for them

Q7:  Which muscle type is the gastrocnemius when doing a calf raise?
A7:  A. Agonist

Q8:  Which isn’t a normal site for measuring skinfolds?
A8:  B. Subradial

Q9:  Which muscle is not in the posterior spine musculature?
A9: A. Quadratus lumborum

Q10:  Which is defined as shortness of breath?
A10:  A. Dyspnea

Q11:  What components are in a health history evaluation?
A11:  A. Medical history, medications, and exercise history

Q12:  Which is the classification for a BMI of 24.8?
A12:  C. Normal

Q13:  What is the R representing in SMART?
A13:  A. Realistic

Q14:  Which muscle group needs to be exercised first?
A14:  A. Large muscle groups

Q15:  How should you progress arm placement for an older adult doing seated balance training?
A15:  B. Using a surface for support, placing the hands on the thighs, crossing the arms in front of the chest

Q16:  Which is not a correct sequence for a resistance training session?
A16:  A. Exercises for strong areas before exercises for weak areas

Q17:  Which endurance exercise mode is best for a beginner client that has type 2 diabetes and may also have peripheral neuropathy?
A17:  B. Stationary bike

Q18:  Which strength curve makes it possible to lift weight when only using the bottom half of the motion?
A18:  B. Descending strength curve

Q19:  Which stretch is for the knee extensors?
A19:  B. Standing quadriceps stretch


Q20:  For intermittent exercise, what is the minimum time interval?
A20:  A. 10 minutes

Q21:  What effect does an increase in relaxin levels during pregnancy have?
A21:  C. Increased joint range of motion

Q22:  Which of these is a description of a routine for endurance training?
A22:  A. Lower weight and higher repetitions

Q23:  What progression per week is appropriate for advancing a beginner’s cardio when they already do 60 minutes of low intensity work for the first week?
A23:  B. Add 10-15 minutes/week until they reach 120 minutes/week

Q24:  Which rep combinations is most effective?
A24:  A. Concentric-eccentric

Q25:  Which is not an acute program variable?
A25:  D. Duration of stretching

Q26:  The biceps utilize which strength curve?
A26:  C. Bell-shaped strength curve

Q27:  Which movement pattern for people with osteoporosis is not contraindicated?
A27:  B. Excessive hip flexion

Q28:  The dumbbell bench press is what type of exercise?
A28:  A. Multijoint, unilateral

Q29:  How much bone mineral density los happens in women every year after the age of 35?
A29:  C. About 1%

Q30:  What is the most basic position for the hip rotator stretch?
A30: D. Seated in a chair

Q31:  For someone with diabetes and retinopathy, what type of resistance training is best?
A31:  B. Circuit training

Q32:  Which stage of the clean has the double knee bend?
A32:  A. Transition

Q33:  Which general gender differences might be the cause of females having more flexibility than men?
A33:  A. Females tend to have wider and shallower hips

Q34:  What is the best description of isotonic resistance training?
A34:  B. A muscle contraction in which the muscle exerts a constant tension

Q35:  What happens when the level of training is higher than the threshold for change?
A35:  C. Physiological adaptation

Q36:  Jim has been training with you for 5 weeks and has increased his upper body strength in pull-ups by 25%. He is going on vacation and you are explaining to him the importance of continuing to train while he is away. Approximately how long would it take Jim to lose half of his strength gains?
A36:  c. 5 weeks

Q37:  Mary has been training with you for 2 weeks. She can currently perform 45 sit-ups in 2 minutes. What is the best way to progress?
A37:  b. Aim for 60 sit-ups in 2 minutes.

Q38:  Jim has been resistance training with you for a month. He has been performing sets of 10-15 repetitions on the leg press. You have been gradually increasing the exercise workload, and he can currently perform 15 leg presses per set with 200 pounds. Which of the following is the best way to progress from here?
A38:  c. Increase the resistance to 210 pounds.

Q39:  Which stance is most challenging in the final stage of progression for static-balance training?
A39:  d. Single-leg stance

Q40:  Bill is training at 80-90% of his 1 repetition maximum on leg press. How long should he typically wait before training his legs again?
A40:  d. 72 hours

Q41: James has been training for and competing in triathlons for 5 years. He wants to increase running speed and cycling power. How many times should you suggest he train per week?
A41: d. 4-7

Q42:  When training a client to activate their core for the purpose of gaining proximal stability, what exercise modality should come first in the progression?
A42: b. Sagittal plane shoulder movements with one arm raised off the floor.

Q43:  Andrew is a 35-year-old man who is looking to increase strength in his upper body. How long should he rest in between sets of a bench press exercise?
A43:  c. 2-5 minutes

Q44:  Bob is a 30-year-old man looking to increase muscular endurance for distance running. How long should he rest in between sets on the leg extension machine?
A44: a. Less than 30 seconds

Q45:  Beth is a 28-year-old woman who is looking to improve her overall fitness. How long should she rest for in between sets on a leg press exercise?
A45: b. 30-90 seconds

Q46:  Why should trainers know CPR, besides the obvious safety for the client?
A46: C. To avoid a legal claim for failure to provide an emergency response

Q47:  Which is not a potential risk of injury when using weight machines?
A47: D. Too heavy of a dumbbell

Q48:  Incident reports include which of these? I. Facts surrounding the incident II. Opinion about what caused the incident III. Names and contact information of witnesses IV. Signature of individual who experienced the incident
A48: I, III, and IV only

Q49:  What is the number one claim against both fitness facilities the fitness professionals?
A49: A. Falling

Q50:  Which is a professional that a trainer shouldn’t refer a client to?
A50: B. Health food store owner