ACSM CLINICAL EXERCISE
PHYSIOLOGIST FINAL TEST 2026
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ Pre-activity screening procedures and tools that provide accurate
information about the individual's health/medical history, current medical
conditions, risk factors, signs/symptoms of disease, current physical activity
habits, and medications.
Answer: 1. Self-guided methods such as the Physical Activity Readiness
Questionnaire (PAR-Q) or the Fitness Facility Preparticipation Screening
Questionnaire.2. CVD risk factor assessment and classification by qualified
health/fitness, clinical exercise, or health care professionals3. Medical
evaluation including a physical examination and stress test by a qualified
health care provider.
◍ The key components included in informed consent and health/medical
history.
Answer: Informed Consent:1. Purpose and explanation of the test2.
Attendant risks and discomforts3. Responsibilities of the participant4.
Benefits to be expected5. Inquiries6. Use of medical records7. Freedom of
consent8. freedom to as questions9. signature and date (parent sign if under
18)Health/Medical History:1. Medical diagnosis2. Previous physical
examination findings3. History of symptoms4. Recent illness,
hospitalization, new medical diagnosis, or surgical procedures.5. Orthopedic
problems6. Medication use and drug allergies7. Other habits including
caffeine, alcohol, tobacco use, or recreational drug use8. Exercise history9.
Work history10. Family history of cardiac, pulmonary, or metabolic disease,
stroke, or sudden death
,◍ Pre-activity screening procedures and tools that provide accurate
information about the individual's health/medical history, current medical
conditions, risk factors, signs/symptoms of disease, current physical activity
habits, and medications.
Answer: 1. Self-guided methods such as the Physical Activity Readiness
Questionnaire (PAR-Q) or the modified AHA/ACSM Health/Fitness
Facility Preparticipation Screening Questionnaire.2. CVD risk factor
assessment and classification by qualified health/fitness, clinical exercise, or
health care professionals3. Medical evaluation including a physical
examination and stress test by a qualified health care provider.
◍ Risk factor thresholds for ACSM risk stratification including genetic and
lifestyle factors related to the development of CV
D. .
Answer: Age: Men >_ 45 years old. Women >_ 55 years oldFamily History:
Myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, or sudden death before
55 years old in father or other first degree male relative or before 65 years
old in mother or other first degree female relative.Cigarette smoking:
Current cigarette smoker or those who quit within the previous 6 months
Sedentary lifestyle: Not participating in at least 30 min of
moderate-intensity physical activity (40%-60% VO2R) on at least 3 days of
the week for at least 3 months.Obesity: Body mass index >_ 30 kg/m2 waist
girth >102cm for men >88cm for womenHypertension: Systolic blood
pressure >_ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure >_ 90
mmHgDyslipidemia: =LDL >_ 130 mg/dL HDL= < 40 mg/dL or on
lipid-lowering medication. Prediabetes: Impaired fasting glucose = fasting
plasma glucose >_ 100 mg/dL and <_ 125 mg/dL or impaired glucose
tolerance (IGT) = 2 hours values in oral glucose tolerance test >_ 140
mg/dL and <_ 199 mg/dL confirmed by measurements on at least 2 separate
occasions.Negative risk factors: High density lipoprotein (HDL): >_ 60
mg/dL
◍ The key components included in informed consent.
, Answer: Informed Consent:1. Purpose and explanation of the test2.
Attendant risks and discomforts3. Responsibilities of the participant4.
Benefits to be expected5. Inquiries6. Use of medical records7. Freedom of
consent
◍ The major signs or symptoms suggestive of cardiovascular, pulmonary and
metabolic disease..
Answer: 1. Pain, discomfort in the chest, neck, jaw, arms, or other areas that
may result from ischemia.2. Shortness of breath at rest or with mild
exertion. Dyspnea.3. Dizziness or syncope (passing out)4. Orthopnea or
paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea5. Ankle edema (swelling)6. Palpitations or
tachycardia7. Intermittent claudication (pain in lower body during
exercise)8. Known heart murmur9. Unusual fatigue or shortness of breath
with usual activities
◍ ACSM risk stratification categories and their implications for medical
clearance before administration of an exercise test or participation in an
exercise program.
Answer: Low Risk: Asymptomatic, <2 risk factorsNo medical exam
required before exerciseNo exercise test required before exerciseNo
supervision of exercise test if doneModerate Risk: Asymptomatic, >_ 2 risk
factorsMedical exam before vigorous exercise but not moderate exerciseNo
exercise test required before exerciseNo medical supervision of exercise test
if doneHigh Risk: Symptomatic, or known cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal,
or metabolic disease.Medical exam required before exerciseExercise test
required before exerciseMedical supervision of exercise test if done.
◍ Total Cholesterol.
Answer: Sum of all forms of cholesterol in the blood. Healthy TC typically
below 200 mg/dL. Borderline high 200-239. High >_ 240 mg/dL
◍ High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C).
Answer: "Good" cholesterol. Low <40. High >_60. Low HDL is strongly
and inversely associated with CVD risk. Raising HDL cholesterol reduces
CVD risk.
, ◍ Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C).
Answer: "Bad" cholesterol. Optimal <100, near optimal/above optimal
100-129, borderline high 130-159, high 160-189, very high >_ 190.
Elevated LDL cholesterol is a powerful risk factor for CVD.
◍ Triglycerides.
Answer: Normal <150, borderline high 150-199, high 200-499, very high >_
500. Elevated triglycerides increase CVD risk. (main contistuant of body
fat)
◍ Atherosclerosis.
Answer: Process where fatty streaks develop causing the artery wall to
thicken while reducing luminal diameter. (plaque build up)
◍ The key components included in health/medical history.
Answer: Health/Medical History:1. Medical diagnosis2. Previous physical
examination findings3. History of symptoms4. Recent illness,
hospitalization, new medical diagnosis, or surgical procedures.5. Orthopedic
problems6. Medication use and drug allergies7. Other habits including
caffeine, alcohol, tobacco use, or recreational drug use8. Exercise history9.
Work history10. Family history of cardiac, pulmonary, or metabolic disease,
stroke, or sudden death
◍ Recommended plasma cholesterol levels for adults based on National
Cholesterol Education Program/ATP guidelines.
Answer: LDL Cholesterol: Optimal <100Near optimal/above optimal
100-129Borderline High 130-159High 160-189Very high >_ 190HDL
Cholesterol: Low <40High >_ 60Total Cholesterol: Desirable
<200Borderline high 200-239High >_ 240Triglycerides: Normal
<150Borderline high 150-199High 200-499Very high >_ 500
◍ The physiological basis of the major components of physical fitness:
cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, flexibility, muscular strength,
and muscular endurance..
Answer: Cardiorespiratory Endurance: The ability of the circulatory and
PHYSIOLOGIST FINAL TEST 2026
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ Pre-activity screening procedures and tools that provide accurate
information about the individual's health/medical history, current medical
conditions, risk factors, signs/symptoms of disease, current physical activity
habits, and medications.
Answer: 1. Self-guided methods such as the Physical Activity Readiness
Questionnaire (PAR-Q) or the Fitness Facility Preparticipation Screening
Questionnaire.2. CVD risk factor assessment and classification by qualified
health/fitness, clinical exercise, or health care professionals3. Medical
evaluation including a physical examination and stress test by a qualified
health care provider.
◍ The key components included in informed consent and health/medical
history.
Answer: Informed Consent:1. Purpose and explanation of the test2.
Attendant risks and discomforts3. Responsibilities of the participant4.
Benefits to be expected5. Inquiries6. Use of medical records7. Freedom of
consent8. freedom to as questions9. signature and date (parent sign if under
18)Health/Medical History:1. Medical diagnosis2. Previous physical
examination findings3. History of symptoms4. Recent illness,
hospitalization, new medical diagnosis, or surgical procedures.5. Orthopedic
problems6. Medication use and drug allergies7. Other habits including
caffeine, alcohol, tobacco use, or recreational drug use8. Exercise history9.
Work history10. Family history of cardiac, pulmonary, or metabolic disease,
stroke, or sudden death
,◍ Pre-activity screening procedures and tools that provide accurate
information about the individual's health/medical history, current medical
conditions, risk factors, signs/symptoms of disease, current physical activity
habits, and medications.
Answer: 1. Self-guided methods such as the Physical Activity Readiness
Questionnaire (PAR-Q) or the modified AHA/ACSM Health/Fitness
Facility Preparticipation Screening Questionnaire.2. CVD risk factor
assessment and classification by qualified health/fitness, clinical exercise, or
health care professionals3. Medical evaluation including a physical
examination and stress test by a qualified health care provider.
◍ Risk factor thresholds for ACSM risk stratification including genetic and
lifestyle factors related to the development of CV
D. .
Answer: Age: Men >_ 45 years old. Women >_ 55 years oldFamily History:
Myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, or sudden death before
55 years old in father or other first degree male relative or before 65 years
old in mother or other first degree female relative.Cigarette smoking:
Current cigarette smoker or those who quit within the previous 6 months
Sedentary lifestyle: Not participating in at least 30 min of
moderate-intensity physical activity (40%-60% VO2R) on at least 3 days of
the week for at least 3 months.Obesity: Body mass index >_ 30 kg/m2 waist
girth >102cm for men >88cm for womenHypertension: Systolic blood
pressure >_ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure >_ 90
mmHgDyslipidemia: =LDL >_ 130 mg/dL HDL= < 40 mg/dL or on
lipid-lowering medication. Prediabetes: Impaired fasting glucose = fasting
plasma glucose >_ 100 mg/dL and <_ 125 mg/dL or impaired glucose
tolerance (IGT) = 2 hours values in oral glucose tolerance test >_ 140
mg/dL and <_ 199 mg/dL confirmed by measurements on at least 2 separate
occasions.Negative risk factors: High density lipoprotein (HDL): >_ 60
mg/dL
◍ The key components included in informed consent.
, Answer: Informed Consent:1. Purpose and explanation of the test2.
Attendant risks and discomforts3. Responsibilities of the participant4.
Benefits to be expected5. Inquiries6. Use of medical records7. Freedom of
consent
◍ The major signs or symptoms suggestive of cardiovascular, pulmonary and
metabolic disease..
Answer: 1. Pain, discomfort in the chest, neck, jaw, arms, or other areas that
may result from ischemia.2. Shortness of breath at rest or with mild
exertion. Dyspnea.3. Dizziness or syncope (passing out)4. Orthopnea or
paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea5. Ankle edema (swelling)6. Palpitations or
tachycardia7. Intermittent claudication (pain in lower body during
exercise)8. Known heart murmur9. Unusual fatigue or shortness of breath
with usual activities
◍ ACSM risk stratification categories and their implications for medical
clearance before administration of an exercise test or participation in an
exercise program.
Answer: Low Risk: Asymptomatic, <2 risk factorsNo medical exam
required before exerciseNo exercise test required before exerciseNo
supervision of exercise test if doneModerate Risk: Asymptomatic, >_ 2 risk
factorsMedical exam before vigorous exercise but not moderate exerciseNo
exercise test required before exerciseNo medical supervision of exercise test
if doneHigh Risk: Symptomatic, or known cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal,
or metabolic disease.Medical exam required before exerciseExercise test
required before exerciseMedical supervision of exercise test if done.
◍ Total Cholesterol.
Answer: Sum of all forms of cholesterol in the blood. Healthy TC typically
below 200 mg/dL. Borderline high 200-239. High >_ 240 mg/dL
◍ High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C).
Answer: "Good" cholesterol. Low <40. High >_60. Low HDL is strongly
and inversely associated with CVD risk. Raising HDL cholesterol reduces
CVD risk.
, ◍ Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C).
Answer: "Bad" cholesterol. Optimal <100, near optimal/above optimal
100-129, borderline high 130-159, high 160-189, very high >_ 190.
Elevated LDL cholesterol is a powerful risk factor for CVD.
◍ Triglycerides.
Answer: Normal <150, borderline high 150-199, high 200-499, very high >_
500. Elevated triglycerides increase CVD risk. (main contistuant of body
fat)
◍ Atherosclerosis.
Answer: Process where fatty streaks develop causing the artery wall to
thicken while reducing luminal diameter. (plaque build up)
◍ The key components included in health/medical history.
Answer: Health/Medical History:1. Medical diagnosis2. Previous physical
examination findings3. History of symptoms4. Recent illness,
hospitalization, new medical diagnosis, or surgical procedures.5. Orthopedic
problems6. Medication use and drug allergies7. Other habits including
caffeine, alcohol, tobacco use, or recreational drug use8. Exercise history9.
Work history10. Family history of cardiac, pulmonary, or metabolic disease,
stroke, or sudden death
◍ Recommended plasma cholesterol levels for adults based on National
Cholesterol Education Program/ATP guidelines.
Answer: LDL Cholesterol: Optimal <100Near optimal/above optimal
100-129Borderline High 130-159High 160-189Very high >_ 190HDL
Cholesterol: Low <40High >_ 60Total Cholesterol: Desirable
<200Borderline high 200-239High >_ 240Triglycerides: Normal
<150Borderline high 150-199High 200-499Very high >_ 500
◍ The physiological basis of the major components of physical fitness:
cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, flexibility, muscular strength,
and muscular endurance..
Answer: Cardiorespiratory Endurance: The ability of the circulatory and
