ACSM CLINICAL EXERCISE
PHYSIOLOGIST PRACTICE
EXAMINATION 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ Factors for a valid VO2 Max?.
Answer: RER > 1.1Lactate >8mmol/LRPE>18Plateu in VO2HR @ age
predicted max
◍ Drug has half life of 4 hours. IF given 1000mg, what concentration is left
after 12 hours..
Answer: 125mg
◍ transtheoretical model: stage specific strategies (5).
Answer: - pre-contemplation: not serious about change --> learn more about
PA and benefits- contemplation: change in next 6 months --> identify
barriers, develop plan, emphasize small steps- preparation: intend to be
more active in 30 days --> develop FITT plan, self-monitor and track
progress, reinforcement- action: regularly active < 6 months --> plan to
overcome barriers, positive feedback, periodize training- maintenance:
active for 6 or more months --> try new activities, PA with a friend, relapse
prevention
◍ Can HR max be changed with training?.
Answer: NO
◍ How many factors must we see for Valid Vo2 max test?.
Answer: 3
◍ social cognitive theory (3).
Answer: - emphasizes reciprocal determinism, which is the interaction
, between individuals and their environments- 3 main factors that influence
behavior: environment, individual personality characteristics and/or
experience, behavioral factors- key concept: self-efficacy - a person's belief
in their ability to successfully engage in and perform a behavior
◍ RER vs RQ.
Answer: RER: co2 expired/ o2 consumed at mouthRQ: Co2 produced by
cell metabolism/ o2 used by tissues
◍ social ecological model (5).
Answer: - personal: knowledge, motivation, self-efficacy-
social/interpersonal: social support, friends, family, cultural influences-
institutional: school/work environments, facilities - community: built
environment (sidewalks and safe walking), media influence- public policy:
pricing of physical activity opportunities, insurance rates for health
behaviors
◍ theory of planned behavior (2).
Answer: - identifies intention as primary influence in determining behavior-
attitude, subjective norms (perception of social pressure to participate or not
in PA), and perceived behavioral control (perception of the ease or difficulty
for engaging in PA) influence intention, which influences behavior
◍ What variable caueses VO2 max to increase with training?.
Answer: Stroke volume because heart gets bigger (NOT MAX HR)
◍ health belief model (6).
Answer: - attempts to explain and predict health behaviors by focusing on
the attitudes and beliefs of individuals- Perceived Susceptibility: refers to an
individual's belief about their risk of developing a particular health condition
or experiencing a health threat. - Perceived severity: assessment of the
seriousness of the health condition or threat. - Perceived benefits: belief in
the effectiveness of a recommended health behavior in reducing the threat or
severity of the health issue- Perceived barriers: perceived obstacles or costs
associated with adopting a health behavior. - Cues to action: external or
internal stimuli that prompt individuals to take action to address a health
, threat.
◍ Lactates main job is to _______________ and does not cause.
Answer: buffer Ph, muscle fatigue
◍ self-determination theory (4).
Answer: individuals have 3 basic psychological needs that must be met to
engage in a behavior: - competence: sense of being capable or completing
an activity or mastering a task and the perception of being effective in that
task - relatedness: need to be connected and involved with the social world -
autonomy: maintaining a perceived internal locus of control and a sense that
behaviors are freely chosen
◍ Client DOES NOT regularly exercise, when do they need clearance?.
Answer: - Have a chronic disease- Have a chronic disease and S/S
◍ SMART goal setting (5).
Answer: - Specific: well defined and precise- Measurable: quantifiable
rather than subjective- Action-oriented: indicate what needs to be done-
Realistic- Time-bound
◍ Client DOES regularly exercise, when do they need clearance?.
Answer: Only if they have S/S
◍ general adaptation syndrome (3).
Answer: - alarm: stressor recognized by system and fight-or-flight response
is initiated- resistance: cardiovascular, metabolic, hormonal, and immune
changes are generated as a stress reaction- exhaustion: depletion of
biochemical substrates and additional resources and is no longer able to
mount a defense to the stressor
◍ problem-focused coping.
Answer: person attempts to modify the stressor by either reducing the
demands or expanding his or her resources to deal with it
◍ Acute EXSC affect on leukocytes?.
Answer: INC concentration
, ◍ Gold std for diagnosing cardiac issues.
Answer: Cardiac catheterization
◍ emotion-focused coping.
Answer: person attempts to control or manage the emotional response to a
stressful event, particularly one that is difficult to change
◍ tort law (3).
Answer: - breach of legal duty amounting to a civil wrong or injury for
which a court of law will provide compensation/damages- tort law governs
the legal rights and obligations between individuals as well as between
collective bodies in relationship to injuries, deaths, or civil wrong doings-
tort: wrongful act, whether intentional or accidental, from which an insult,
injury, or death occurs to another person or group
◍ ST segment elevation vs depression.
Answer: Elevation: Myocardial infarctionDepression: ischemia
◍ 2 cases when you should not do a regular exsc stress test:.
Answer: - Client uses Beta Agonist- Client uses dipyridamole (a vasodilator)
◍ negligence (2).
Answer: - concerned with prudence and caution in dealing with clients- a
failure to exercise the degree of care used by prudent instructors or
management
◍ insurance.
Answer: - the EP should obtain a general liability insurance policy which
protects from ordinary negligence - the EP should obtain professional
liability insurance which protects individuals who provide professional
advice and service as part of their job responsibility
◍ What BP level contraindicated during exsc test.
Answer: 250/115
◍ client rights (7).
Answer: HAVE THE RIGHT TO/FOR:- receive quality service - know the
PHYSIOLOGIST PRACTICE
EXAMINATION 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ Factors for a valid VO2 Max?.
Answer: RER > 1.1Lactate >8mmol/LRPE>18Plateu in VO2HR @ age
predicted max
◍ Drug has half life of 4 hours. IF given 1000mg, what concentration is left
after 12 hours..
Answer: 125mg
◍ transtheoretical model: stage specific strategies (5).
Answer: - pre-contemplation: not serious about change --> learn more about
PA and benefits- contemplation: change in next 6 months --> identify
barriers, develop plan, emphasize small steps- preparation: intend to be
more active in 30 days --> develop FITT plan, self-monitor and track
progress, reinforcement- action: regularly active < 6 months --> plan to
overcome barriers, positive feedback, periodize training- maintenance:
active for 6 or more months --> try new activities, PA with a friend, relapse
prevention
◍ Can HR max be changed with training?.
Answer: NO
◍ How many factors must we see for Valid Vo2 max test?.
Answer: 3
◍ social cognitive theory (3).
Answer: - emphasizes reciprocal determinism, which is the interaction
, between individuals and their environments- 3 main factors that influence
behavior: environment, individual personality characteristics and/or
experience, behavioral factors- key concept: self-efficacy - a person's belief
in their ability to successfully engage in and perform a behavior
◍ RER vs RQ.
Answer: RER: co2 expired/ o2 consumed at mouthRQ: Co2 produced by
cell metabolism/ o2 used by tissues
◍ social ecological model (5).
Answer: - personal: knowledge, motivation, self-efficacy-
social/interpersonal: social support, friends, family, cultural influences-
institutional: school/work environments, facilities - community: built
environment (sidewalks and safe walking), media influence- public policy:
pricing of physical activity opportunities, insurance rates for health
behaviors
◍ theory of planned behavior (2).
Answer: - identifies intention as primary influence in determining behavior-
attitude, subjective norms (perception of social pressure to participate or not
in PA), and perceived behavioral control (perception of the ease or difficulty
for engaging in PA) influence intention, which influences behavior
◍ What variable caueses VO2 max to increase with training?.
Answer: Stroke volume because heart gets bigger (NOT MAX HR)
◍ health belief model (6).
Answer: - attempts to explain and predict health behaviors by focusing on
the attitudes and beliefs of individuals- Perceived Susceptibility: refers to an
individual's belief about their risk of developing a particular health condition
or experiencing a health threat. - Perceived severity: assessment of the
seriousness of the health condition or threat. - Perceived benefits: belief in
the effectiveness of a recommended health behavior in reducing the threat or
severity of the health issue- Perceived barriers: perceived obstacles or costs
associated with adopting a health behavior. - Cues to action: external or
internal stimuli that prompt individuals to take action to address a health
, threat.
◍ Lactates main job is to _______________ and does not cause.
Answer: buffer Ph, muscle fatigue
◍ self-determination theory (4).
Answer: individuals have 3 basic psychological needs that must be met to
engage in a behavior: - competence: sense of being capable or completing
an activity or mastering a task and the perception of being effective in that
task - relatedness: need to be connected and involved with the social world -
autonomy: maintaining a perceived internal locus of control and a sense that
behaviors are freely chosen
◍ Client DOES NOT regularly exercise, when do they need clearance?.
Answer: - Have a chronic disease- Have a chronic disease and S/S
◍ SMART goal setting (5).
Answer: - Specific: well defined and precise- Measurable: quantifiable
rather than subjective- Action-oriented: indicate what needs to be done-
Realistic- Time-bound
◍ Client DOES regularly exercise, when do they need clearance?.
Answer: Only if they have S/S
◍ general adaptation syndrome (3).
Answer: - alarm: stressor recognized by system and fight-or-flight response
is initiated- resistance: cardiovascular, metabolic, hormonal, and immune
changes are generated as a stress reaction- exhaustion: depletion of
biochemical substrates and additional resources and is no longer able to
mount a defense to the stressor
◍ problem-focused coping.
Answer: person attempts to modify the stressor by either reducing the
demands or expanding his or her resources to deal with it
◍ Acute EXSC affect on leukocytes?.
Answer: INC concentration
, ◍ Gold std for diagnosing cardiac issues.
Answer: Cardiac catheterization
◍ emotion-focused coping.
Answer: person attempts to control or manage the emotional response to a
stressful event, particularly one that is difficult to change
◍ tort law (3).
Answer: - breach of legal duty amounting to a civil wrong or injury for
which a court of law will provide compensation/damages- tort law governs
the legal rights and obligations between individuals as well as between
collective bodies in relationship to injuries, deaths, or civil wrong doings-
tort: wrongful act, whether intentional or accidental, from which an insult,
injury, or death occurs to another person or group
◍ ST segment elevation vs depression.
Answer: Elevation: Myocardial infarctionDepression: ischemia
◍ 2 cases when you should not do a regular exsc stress test:.
Answer: - Client uses Beta Agonist- Client uses dipyridamole (a vasodilator)
◍ negligence (2).
Answer: - concerned with prudence and caution in dealing with clients- a
failure to exercise the degree of care used by prudent instructors or
management
◍ insurance.
Answer: - the EP should obtain a general liability insurance policy which
protects from ordinary negligence - the EP should obtain professional
liability insurance which protects individuals who provide professional
advice and service as part of their job responsibility
◍ What BP level contraindicated during exsc test.
Answer: 250/115
◍ client rights (7).
Answer: HAVE THE RIGHT TO/FOR:- receive quality service - know the
