NASM CPT Exam Prep - Full Study
Abduction - Answer A body segment is moving away from the midline of the body
Acidosis - Answer The accumulation of excessive hydrogen ions in the body, causing
increased acidity of the blood and muscle
Action Stage - Answer The stage of change in the TTM where individuals have made
specific, overt modifications in their lifestyle within the past 6 months
Active-Isolated Stretching - Answer Flexibility exercises in which agonists move a limb
through a full range of motion allowing the antagonists to stretch
Acute Variables - Answer The components that specify how each exercise is to be
performed
Adaptation phase - Answer The second stage of the GAS in which physiological
changes take place in order to meet the demands of the newly imposed stress
Adduction - Answer A body segment is moving toward the midline of the body
Adipose tissue - Answer One of the main types of connective tissue where fat is stored
Aerobic Metabolism - Answer Chemical reactions in the body that require the presence
of oxygen to extract energy from carbohydrates, fatty acids, and amino acids
Alarm Phase - Answer The first stage of the GAS; the initial phase of response to a new
stimuli within the Human Movement System
Anabolism - Answer A metabolic process that builds molecules
Anaerobic Metabolism - Answer Chemical reactions in the body that do not require the
presence of oxygen to create energy through the combustion of carbohydrates
Anatomic Position - Answer Standard posture wherein the body stands upright with the
arms beside the trunk, the palms face forward, and the head faces forward
Antagonists - Answer Muscles that oppose the prime mover
Aponeurosis - Answer A white tendinous sheet that attaches muscle to bone
Autogenic Inhibition - Answer The process by which neural impulses that sense tension
are greater than the impulses that cause muscles to contract, providing an inhibitory
effect to the muscle
,Beta-Oxidation - Answer The breakdown of triglycerides into smaller subunits called
free fatty acids (FFA's) that convert into acetyl-CoA molecules, which are then available
to enter the Krebs Cycle and ultimately lead to the production of ATP
Body Mass Index (BMI) - Answer A rough, metric based, assessment that
proportionately correlates height with body weight
Catabolism - Answer A metabolic process that breaks down molecules
Closed-Chain Exercises - Answer Exercises where either the hands or feet are stable
(non-moving) while the torso, or entire body, moves. I.e. Push ups, Squats, Pull ups
Cognitive Restructuring - Answer Psychotherapeutic process of learning to identify and
dispute irrational or maladaptive behavior
Contemplation Phase - Answer The stage of change in the TTM where individuals are
contemplating making a change within the next 6 months
Davis's Law - Answer Soft tissue will align along the lines of stress that are placed upon
it
Diastolic Pressure - Answer The bottom number of a blood pressure measurement that
represents the pressure within the arterial system when the heart is resting and filling
with blood
Dyspnea - Answer Difficulty or troubled breathing
Eccentric Contraction - Answer The production of an active force when a muscle
develops tension while lengthening
Efferent Neurons - Answer Motor neurons that send a message for muscles to contract
Electron Transport Chain - Answer A series of compounds that transfer electrons from
electron donors to electron acceptors, generating ATP in the process
Essential Amino Acids - Answer Amino Acids that cannot be produced by the body and
must be acquired by food
Exhaustion Phase - Answer The third stage of GAS in which stress continues beyond
the body's ability to adapt, leading to potential physiological and structural breakdown
Extension - Answer A bending at the joint where the relative angle between two
adjoining segments increases
,Fascia - Answer A web of connective tissue that wraps and surrounds muscle fibers,
bones, nerves, and blood vessels. The myofascial system covers individual muscles as
well as connecting groups of larger muscles together
Fatty Acid - Answer A chain of carbons linked or bonded together, and the building
blocks of fat within the human body
Functional Efficiency - Answer The ability of the neuromuscular system to perform
functional tasks with the least amount of energy, decreasing stress on the body's
structure
Glycolysis - Answer A catabolic process that breaks down glucose to a usable for of
energy, ATP
Ground Reaction Force - Answer An equal and opposite external force that is exerted
back onto the body by the ground
Heart Rate Reserve Method (HRR) - Answer A method of establishing training intensity
based on the difference between a client's predicted maximal heart rate and his or her
resting heart rate
Henneman's Size Principle - Answer Motor units which are under load are recruited
from smallest to largest
Hypertrophy - Answer Enlargement of skeletal muscle fibers in response to overcoming
force from high volumes of tension.
Imagine Action - Answer Program designed to help people through the different stages
of change.
Incomplete Protein - Answer Food that does not contain all of the essential amino acids
in the amount needed by the body.
Integrated Function - Answer The coordination of muscles to produce, reduce, and
stabilize forces in multiple planes for efficient and safe movement.
Interval Training - Answer Training that alternates between intense exertion and periods
of rest or lighter exertion.
Intervention - Answer Strategies within a fitness professionals scope of practice that are
aimed at disrupting unhealthy habits and/or promoting healthy behaviors.
Isometric Contraction - Answer The production of an active force when a muscle
develops tension while maintaining a constant length.
, Ketone Bodies - Answer Two molecules, acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate, that
are synthesized in the liver from acetyl-CoA.
Kinesiology - Answer The study of human movement
Krebs Cycle - Answer Central metabolic pathway in all aerobic organisms. The cycle is
a series of eight reactions that occur in the mitochondrion. These reactions take a two-
carbon molecule (acetate) and completely oxidize it to carbon dioxide.
Kyphotic Curve - Answer Outward curvature of the thoracic spine by which the spine is
bent forward.
Lactate - Answer A byproduct of anaerobic metabolism that occurs when oxygen
delivery to the working muscles cannot meet the demands of the tissue.
Ligament - Answer Strong connective tissue that connects bone to bone.
Linear Periodization - Answer Classic or traditional strength and power programming
that begins with high volume, low intensity training and progresses toward low volume,
high intensity training.
Lipids - Answer A group of compounds that includes triglycerides (fats and oils),
phospholipids, and sterols.
Lower Crossed Syndrome - Answer A postural distortion syndrome characterized by an
anterior tilt to the pelvis (arched lower back).
Maintenance Stage - Answer The stage of change in the TTM that begins 6 months
after the criterion has been reached until such time that the risk of returning to the old
behavior has been terminated.
Maximal Oxygen Consumption (VO2max) - Answer The highest rate of oxygen
transport and utilization achieved at maximal physical exertion.
Metabolism - Answer All of the chemical reactions that occur in the body that are
required for life. It is the process by which nutrients are acquired, transported, used, and
disposed of by the body.
Motivational Interviewing - Answer A collaborative person-centered form of guiding to
elicit and strengthen motivation for change.
Motor Learning - Answer The integration of motor control processes with practice and
experience that leads to relatively permanent changes in the body's capacity to produce
skilled movements.
Abduction - Answer A body segment is moving away from the midline of the body
Acidosis - Answer The accumulation of excessive hydrogen ions in the body, causing
increased acidity of the blood and muscle
Action Stage - Answer The stage of change in the TTM where individuals have made
specific, overt modifications in their lifestyle within the past 6 months
Active-Isolated Stretching - Answer Flexibility exercises in which agonists move a limb
through a full range of motion allowing the antagonists to stretch
Acute Variables - Answer The components that specify how each exercise is to be
performed
Adaptation phase - Answer The second stage of the GAS in which physiological
changes take place in order to meet the demands of the newly imposed stress
Adduction - Answer A body segment is moving toward the midline of the body
Adipose tissue - Answer One of the main types of connective tissue where fat is stored
Aerobic Metabolism - Answer Chemical reactions in the body that require the presence
of oxygen to extract energy from carbohydrates, fatty acids, and amino acids
Alarm Phase - Answer The first stage of the GAS; the initial phase of response to a new
stimuli within the Human Movement System
Anabolism - Answer A metabolic process that builds molecules
Anaerobic Metabolism - Answer Chemical reactions in the body that do not require the
presence of oxygen to create energy through the combustion of carbohydrates
Anatomic Position - Answer Standard posture wherein the body stands upright with the
arms beside the trunk, the palms face forward, and the head faces forward
Antagonists - Answer Muscles that oppose the prime mover
Aponeurosis - Answer A white tendinous sheet that attaches muscle to bone
Autogenic Inhibition - Answer The process by which neural impulses that sense tension
are greater than the impulses that cause muscles to contract, providing an inhibitory
effect to the muscle
,Beta-Oxidation - Answer The breakdown of triglycerides into smaller subunits called
free fatty acids (FFA's) that convert into acetyl-CoA molecules, which are then available
to enter the Krebs Cycle and ultimately lead to the production of ATP
Body Mass Index (BMI) - Answer A rough, metric based, assessment that
proportionately correlates height with body weight
Catabolism - Answer A metabolic process that breaks down molecules
Closed-Chain Exercises - Answer Exercises where either the hands or feet are stable
(non-moving) while the torso, or entire body, moves. I.e. Push ups, Squats, Pull ups
Cognitive Restructuring - Answer Psychotherapeutic process of learning to identify and
dispute irrational or maladaptive behavior
Contemplation Phase - Answer The stage of change in the TTM where individuals are
contemplating making a change within the next 6 months
Davis's Law - Answer Soft tissue will align along the lines of stress that are placed upon
it
Diastolic Pressure - Answer The bottom number of a blood pressure measurement that
represents the pressure within the arterial system when the heart is resting and filling
with blood
Dyspnea - Answer Difficulty or troubled breathing
Eccentric Contraction - Answer The production of an active force when a muscle
develops tension while lengthening
Efferent Neurons - Answer Motor neurons that send a message for muscles to contract
Electron Transport Chain - Answer A series of compounds that transfer electrons from
electron donors to electron acceptors, generating ATP in the process
Essential Amino Acids - Answer Amino Acids that cannot be produced by the body and
must be acquired by food
Exhaustion Phase - Answer The third stage of GAS in which stress continues beyond
the body's ability to adapt, leading to potential physiological and structural breakdown
Extension - Answer A bending at the joint where the relative angle between two
adjoining segments increases
,Fascia - Answer A web of connective tissue that wraps and surrounds muscle fibers,
bones, nerves, and blood vessels. The myofascial system covers individual muscles as
well as connecting groups of larger muscles together
Fatty Acid - Answer A chain of carbons linked or bonded together, and the building
blocks of fat within the human body
Functional Efficiency - Answer The ability of the neuromuscular system to perform
functional tasks with the least amount of energy, decreasing stress on the body's
structure
Glycolysis - Answer A catabolic process that breaks down glucose to a usable for of
energy, ATP
Ground Reaction Force - Answer An equal and opposite external force that is exerted
back onto the body by the ground
Heart Rate Reserve Method (HRR) - Answer A method of establishing training intensity
based on the difference between a client's predicted maximal heart rate and his or her
resting heart rate
Henneman's Size Principle - Answer Motor units which are under load are recruited
from smallest to largest
Hypertrophy - Answer Enlargement of skeletal muscle fibers in response to overcoming
force from high volumes of tension.
Imagine Action - Answer Program designed to help people through the different stages
of change.
Incomplete Protein - Answer Food that does not contain all of the essential amino acids
in the amount needed by the body.
Integrated Function - Answer The coordination of muscles to produce, reduce, and
stabilize forces in multiple planes for efficient and safe movement.
Interval Training - Answer Training that alternates between intense exertion and periods
of rest or lighter exertion.
Intervention - Answer Strategies within a fitness professionals scope of practice that are
aimed at disrupting unhealthy habits and/or promoting healthy behaviors.
Isometric Contraction - Answer The production of an active force when a muscle
develops tension while maintaining a constant length.
, Ketone Bodies - Answer Two molecules, acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate, that
are synthesized in the liver from acetyl-CoA.
Kinesiology - Answer The study of human movement
Krebs Cycle - Answer Central metabolic pathway in all aerobic organisms. The cycle is
a series of eight reactions that occur in the mitochondrion. These reactions take a two-
carbon molecule (acetate) and completely oxidize it to carbon dioxide.
Kyphotic Curve - Answer Outward curvature of the thoracic spine by which the spine is
bent forward.
Lactate - Answer A byproduct of anaerobic metabolism that occurs when oxygen
delivery to the working muscles cannot meet the demands of the tissue.
Ligament - Answer Strong connective tissue that connects bone to bone.
Linear Periodization - Answer Classic or traditional strength and power programming
that begins with high volume, low intensity training and progresses toward low volume,
high intensity training.
Lipids - Answer A group of compounds that includes triglycerides (fats and oils),
phospholipids, and sterols.
Lower Crossed Syndrome - Answer A postural distortion syndrome characterized by an
anterior tilt to the pelvis (arched lower back).
Maintenance Stage - Answer The stage of change in the TTM that begins 6 months
after the criterion has been reached until such time that the risk of returning to the old
behavior has been terminated.
Maximal Oxygen Consumption (VO2max) - Answer The highest rate of oxygen
transport and utilization achieved at maximal physical exertion.
Metabolism - Answer All of the chemical reactions that occur in the body that are
required for life. It is the process by which nutrients are acquired, transported, used, and
disposed of by the body.
Motivational Interviewing - Answer A collaborative person-centered form of guiding to
elicit and strengthen motivation for change.
Motor Learning - Answer The integration of motor control processes with practice and
experience that leads to relatively permanent changes in the body's capacity to produce
skilled movements.
