ACSM EP EXAM SCRIPT 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
●● Exercise. Answer: type of PA consisting of planned, structured, and
repetitive bodily movement done to improve and/or maintain one or
more components of physical fitness
●● Physical fitness. Answer: ability to carry out daily tasks with vigor
and alertness, without undue fatigue, and with ample energy to enjoy
leisure-time pursuits and meet unforeseen emergencies
●● Define METs and define light, moderate, and vigorous intensity
exercise in terms of METs. Answer: Metabolic equivalents. Light
intensity PA is defined as requiring 2.0-2.9 METs, moderate as 3.0-5.9
METs, and vigorous as ≥6.0 METs.
●● If someone does not participate in regular exercise, has known CV,
metabolic, or renal disease AND is asymptomatic, is medical clearance
recommended?. Answer: Yes
●● If someone already participates in regular exercise, has known CV,
metabolic, or renal disease AND is asymptomatic, is medical clearance
recommended?. Answer: Not necessary for moderate, BUT
recommended for vigorous
,●● If someone already participates in regular exercise and has any
symptoms suggestive of CV, metabolic or renal disease, is medical
clearance recommended?. Answer: Discontinue exercise and seek
medical clearance.
●● What is the need for medical clearance prior to beginning an exercise
program is based on?. Answer: Current exercise participation; history of
CV, metabolic, or renal disease; signs or symptoms suggestive of CV,
metabolic, or renal disease; and desired exercise intensity.
●● 7 components of informed consent. Answer: 1. purpose &
explanation of test
2. attendant risks & discomforts
3. responsibilities of participant
4. benefits to be expected
5. inquires (Questions)
6. use of medal records
7. freedom of consent
●● CVD risk factors: age. Answer: Men ≥ 45
Women ≥ 55
●● CVD risk factors: family history. Answer: Myocardial infarction,
coronary revascularization, or sudden death before 55 yr in father or
, other male first-degree relative or before 65 yr in mother or other female
first-degree relative
●● CVD risk factors; smoking. Answer: Current smoker or quit ≤ 6
month ago, or regularly exposed to second hand smoke
●● CVD risk factor: physical inactivity. Answer: not participating in at
least 30 mins of moderate intensity PA (40-59% VO2R) at least 3
days/week for at least 3 months
(only 32% Americans get enough PA)
●● CVD risk factors: Obesity. Answer: - BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2
- Waist Girth: Men > 102 cm , Women > 88 cm
●● CVD risk factors: hypertension. Answer: systolic ≥ 140 and/or
diastolic ≥ 90, OR on anti-hypertensive medicine
●● CVD risk factors: dyslipidemia. Answer: - LDL ≥ 130
- HDL < 40
- Total cholesterol ≥ 200
- Triglycerides ≥ 150
- on lipid lowering medicine
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
●● Exercise. Answer: type of PA consisting of planned, structured, and
repetitive bodily movement done to improve and/or maintain one or
more components of physical fitness
●● Physical fitness. Answer: ability to carry out daily tasks with vigor
and alertness, without undue fatigue, and with ample energy to enjoy
leisure-time pursuits and meet unforeseen emergencies
●● Define METs and define light, moderate, and vigorous intensity
exercise in terms of METs. Answer: Metabolic equivalents. Light
intensity PA is defined as requiring 2.0-2.9 METs, moderate as 3.0-5.9
METs, and vigorous as ≥6.0 METs.
●● If someone does not participate in regular exercise, has known CV,
metabolic, or renal disease AND is asymptomatic, is medical clearance
recommended?. Answer: Yes
●● If someone already participates in regular exercise, has known CV,
metabolic, or renal disease AND is asymptomatic, is medical clearance
recommended?. Answer: Not necessary for moderate, BUT
recommended for vigorous
,●● If someone already participates in regular exercise and has any
symptoms suggestive of CV, metabolic or renal disease, is medical
clearance recommended?. Answer: Discontinue exercise and seek
medical clearance.
●● What is the need for medical clearance prior to beginning an exercise
program is based on?. Answer: Current exercise participation; history of
CV, metabolic, or renal disease; signs or symptoms suggestive of CV,
metabolic, or renal disease; and desired exercise intensity.
●● 7 components of informed consent. Answer: 1. purpose &
explanation of test
2. attendant risks & discomforts
3. responsibilities of participant
4. benefits to be expected
5. inquires (Questions)
6. use of medal records
7. freedom of consent
●● CVD risk factors: age. Answer: Men ≥ 45
Women ≥ 55
●● CVD risk factors: family history. Answer: Myocardial infarction,
coronary revascularization, or sudden death before 55 yr in father or
, other male first-degree relative or before 65 yr in mother or other female
first-degree relative
●● CVD risk factors; smoking. Answer: Current smoker or quit ≤ 6
month ago, or regularly exposed to second hand smoke
●● CVD risk factor: physical inactivity. Answer: not participating in at
least 30 mins of moderate intensity PA (40-59% VO2R) at least 3
days/week for at least 3 months
(only 32% Americans get enough PA)
●● CVD risk factors: Obesity. Answer: - BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2
- Waist Girth: Men > 102 cm , Women > 88 cm
●● CVD risk factors: hypertension. Answer: systolic ≥ 140 and/or
diastolic ≥ 90, OR on anti-hypertensive medicine
●● CVD risk factors: dyslipidemia. Answer: - LDL ≥ 130
- HDL < 40
- Total cholesterol ≥ 200
- Triglycerides ≥ 150
- on lipid lowering medicine
