ACSM EP-C Exam 300 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS COVERING THE MOST TESTED
QUESTIONS FOR THE LATEST 2026 TEST
OVERVIEW
This comprehensive review covers ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C) knowledge,
spanning preparticipation screening, risk stratification, and exercise prescription for various
populations, including those with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, pregnancy, and
musculoskeletal limitations. It addresses professional responsibilities, risk management, and
ethical practice, emphasizing legal and safety considerations, emergency preparedness, and
proper documentation.
The material also explores exercise science principles, including biomechanics, acute and
chronic physiological responses to exercise, energy systems, and joint mechanics. It includes
behavior change strategies for promoting adherence, practical exercise programming guidelines
(FITT, resistance training progressions, and aerobic training), and special considerations for
high-risk or clinical populations.
Finally, it touches on nutrition, weight management, and medical terminology, including the
identification of disease markers (e.g., diabetes, prediabetes), symptom recognition (e.g.,
dyspnea, ischemic pain), and strategies for safe and effective fitness outcomes. Overall, the
content integrates scientific knowledge, clinical reasoning, and professional practice
standards for safe, evidence-based exercise programming.
During the preparticipation screening, your client is determined to have four risk factors. This is
considered to be: - correct answer -moderate risk
For which of the following conditions are a medical release or a physician-supervised exercise test
unncessary prior to beginning an exercise program? - correct answer -Well-controlled exercise-
induced asthma
Which of the following is required of the EP-C manager to manage risk in the fitness facility? - correct
answer -create and maintain a safe work environment
,Which of the following would offer the EP-C ideal protection against a claim of negligence? - correct
answer -General liability and professional liability insurance
Background checks are typically conducted by fitness facilities to verify which of the following? - correct
answer -employment history
Which of the following applies to federal employees? - correct answer -Drug-Free Workplace Act of
1988
Based on the ACSM Code of Ethics, Certified Exercise Physiologists are prohibited from: - correct
answer -Providing services that may only be carried out by licensed health care professionals.
When a client's muscle or joint problem is brought on or aggravated by exercise, the EP-C should: -
correct answer -refer to health care prof
With which of the following organizations has ACSM published joint position stands regarding client
screening, staffing, emergency policies, equipment, and procedures? - correct answer -american heart
association
Tort law that regulates issues around professional liability for incidents caused due to conditions where
training activity takes place is referred to as: - correct answer -premises liability
The science that applies the study of forces to living organisms is: - correct answer -biomechanics
Asking clients to document how they use their time for 1 week and identify areas where they can
incorporate exercise is an example of a strategy for overcoming: - correct answer -personal barrier
Which of the following BEST promotes exercise adherence with a new client? - correct answer -
Sending text messages that provide feedback following training sessions
The MOST accurate fact regarding energy drinks is that they: - correct answer -high in sugar
,What is the ideal exercise intensity for an apparently healthy pregnant woman? - correct answer -40 to
60% of HRR or 12 to 14 on the RPE scale of 6 - 20
The term metabolic rate is defined as: - correct answer -The rate at which calories are burned
The upper trapezius causes ________ of the scapula and the lower trapezius causes ________ of the
scapula. - correct answer -Upward rotation; upward rotation
Which of the following concepts, if applied, makes resistance training easier to perform? - correct
answer -F=ma
Which of the following is an acute response to cardiorespiratory exercise? - correct answer -increase in
stroke volume
When oxygen is not available in the mitochondria of the cell, _______ is converted to __________. -
correct answer -pyruvate, lactic acid
Which of the following indicates a client has diabetes? - correct answer -Oral glucose tolerance test of
250 mg/dL on at least two separate occasions
Concentric contraction of the triceps brachii muscle causes ____________ in the _____________plane. -
correct answer -extension, sagittal
In a sit-to-stand movement, where is the center of gravity? - correct answer -shifted over base of
support
A joint is the most stable when it is in which of the following positions? - correct answer -closed pack
The upper respiratory tract consists of ________. - correct answer -Nasal cavity, nose, and pharynx
, While supine, your client performs range of motion on the shoulder joint. She displays tightness in the
infraspinatus and teres minor. You were led to this conclusion because the client was: - correct answer
-Unable to externally rotate the shoulder joint past 60°.
A male client is 45 years old and has high-density lipoprotein of 35 mg · dL−1. He spends 30 minutes a
day walking to and from work. Based on this profile, how many total risk factors does he have? - correct
answer -2
A 53-year-old female has family history of a heart attack (father at age 72). If she wishes to participate in
moderate-intensity exercise, you should: - correct answer -Design an exercise program that progresses
gradually in intensity and duration.
Which of the following FITT parameters are the MOST appropriate starting points for a client with
cardiovascular disease? - correct answer -Episodes of 10-15 minutes performed two or three times
each day
Which of the following is a common characteristic of both primary and secondary hypertension? -
correct answer -Increased peripheral resistance
Which of the following hormones is released by the kidneys in response to an ascent to altitude? -
correct answer -Erythropoietin
What physiologic change occurs in response to high-altitude exposure and a lower partial pressure of
oxygen? - correct answer -produce excess red blood cells
How can increased sweat rates during exercise in a hot environment increase the risk for dehydration? -
correct answer -reducing plasma voluem
Which of the following is an ACSM standard for risk management and emergency procedures? - correct
answer -AEDs in a facility shall be located within a 1.5-minute walk to any place in which they could
potentially be needed.
Pregnant women should carefully monitor intensity by using: - correct answer -talk test
ANSWERS COVERING THE MOST TESTED
QUESTIONS FOR THE LATEST 2026 TEST
OVERVIEW
This comprehensive review covers ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C) knowledge,
spanning preparticipation screening, risk stratification, and exercise prescription for various
populations, including those with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, pregnancy, and
musculoskeletal limitations. It addresses professional responsibilities, risk management, and
ethical practice, emphasizing legal and safety considerations, emergency preparedness, and
proper documentation.
The material also explores exercise science principles, including biomechanics, acute and
chronic physiological responses to exercise, energy systems, and joint mechanics. It includes
behavior change strategies for promoting adherence, practical exercise programming guidelines
(FITT, resistance training progressions, and aerobic training), and special considerations for
high-risk or clinical populations.
Finally, it touches on nutrition, weight management, and medical terminology, including the
identification of disease markers (e.g., diabetes, prediabetes), symptom recognition (e.g.,
dyspnea, ischemic pain), and strategies for safe and effective fitness outcomes. Overall, the
content integrates scientific knowledge, clinical reasoning, and professional practice
standards for safe, evidence-based exercise programming.
During the preparticipation screening, your client is determined to have four risk factors. This is
considered to be: - correct answer -moderate risk
For which of the following conditions are a medical release or a physician-supervised exercise test
unncessary prior to beginning an exercise program? - correct answer -Well-controlled exercise-
induced asthma
Which of the following is required of the EP-C manager to manage risk in the fitness facility? - correct
answer -create and maintain a safe work environment
,Which of the following would offer the EP-C ideal protection against a claim of negligence? - correct
answer -General liability and professional liability insurance
Background checks are typically conducted by fitness facilities to verify which of the following? - correct
answer -employment history
Which of the following applies to federal employees? - correct answer -Drug-Free Workplace Act of
1988
Based on the ACSM Code of Ethics, Certified Exercise Physiologists are prohibited from: - correct
answer -Providing services that may only be carried out by licensed health care professionals.
When a client's muscle or joint problem is brought on or aggravated by exercise, the EP-C should: -
correct answer -refer to health care prof
With which of the following organizations has ACSM published joint position stands regarding client
screening, staffing, emergency policies, equipment, and procedures? - correct answer -american heart
association
Tort law that regulates issues around professional liability for incidents caused due to conditions where
training activity takes place is referred to as: - correct answer -premises liability
The science that applies the study of forces to living organisms is: - correct answer -biomechanics
Asking clients to document how they use their time for 1 week and identify areas where they can
incorporate exercise is an example of a strategy for overcoming: - correct answer -personal barrier
Which of the following BEST promotes exercise adherence with a new client? - correct answer -
Sending text messages that provide feedback following training sessions
The MOST accurate fact regarding energy drinks is that they: - correct answer -high in sugar
,What is the ideal exercise intensity for an apparently healthy pregnant woman? - correct answer -40 to
60% of HRR or 12 to 14 on the RPE scale of 6 - 20
The term metabolic rate is defined as: - correct answer -The rate at which calories are burned
The upper trapezius causes ________ of the scapula and the lower trapezius causes ________ of the
scapula. - correct answer -Upward rotation; upward rotation
Which of the following concepts, if applied, makes resistance training easier to perform? - correct
answer -F=ma
Which of the following is an acute response to cardiorespiratory exercise? - correct answer -increase in
stroke volume
When oxygen is not available in the mitochondria of the cell, _______ is converted to __________. -
correct answer -pyruvate, lactic acid
Which of the following indicates a client has diabetes? - correct answer -Oral glucose tolerance test of
250 mg/dL on at least two separate occasions
Concentric contraction of the triceps brachii muscle causes ____________ in the _____________plane. -
correct answer -extension, sagittal
In a sit-to-stand movement, where is the center of gravity? - correct answer -shifted over base of
support
A joint is the most stable when it is in which of the following positions? - correct answer -closed pack
The upper respiratory tract consists of ________. - correct answer -Nasal cavity, nose, and pharynx
, While supine, your client performs range of motion on the shoulder joint. She displays tightness in the
infraspinatus and teres minor. You were led to this conclusion because the client was: - correct answer
-Unable to externally rotate the shoulder joint past 60°.
A male client is 45 years old and has high-density lipoprotein of 35 mg · dL−1. He spends 30 minutes a
day walking to and from work. Based on this profile, how many total risk factors does he have? - correct
answer -2
A 53-year-old female has family history of a heart attack (father at age 72). If she wishes to participate in
moderate-intensity exercise, you should: - correct answer -Design an exercise program that progresses
gradually in intensity and duration.
Which of the following FITT parameters are the MOST appropriate starting points for a client with
cardiovascular disease? - correct answer -Episodes of 10-15 minutes performed two or three times
each day
Which of the following is a common characteristic of both primary and secondary hypertension? -
correct answer -Increased peripheral resistance
Which of the following hormones is released by the kidneys in response to an ascent to altitude? -
correct answer -Erythropoietin
What physiologic change occurs in response to high-altitude exposure and a lower partial pressure of
oxygen? - correct answer -produce excess red blood cells
How can increased sweat rates during exercise in a hot environment increase the risk for dehydration? -
correct answer -reducing plasma voluem
Which of the following is an ACSM standard for risk management and emergency procedures? - correct
answer -AEDs in a facility shall be located within a 1.5-minute walk to any place in which they could
potentially be needed.
Pregnant women should carefully monitor intensity by using: - correct answer -talk test
