FREE STUDY GUIDE
FIFTH EDITION
Free Study Guide for the NASM CPT Exam
This guide has been created based on what NASM recommends you should know for their exam,
but does not accurately represent what shows up on the actual exam. For study material focused
on what shows up on the exam check out Fitness Mentors Audio Lectures, Study Guide and Practice
Tests for the NASM CPT Exam.
CHAPTER 1
National Academy of Sports Medicine Code of Professional Conduct
Professionalism:
Professionalism should be practiced during all client interactions. Use effective communication
and ensure a safe environment. Maintain good hygiene and wear appropriate clothing. Always
refer your clients to a doctor when unknown conditions arise.
Confidentiality
Secure client documents and respect the confidentiality of your client conversations.
Legal and Ethical
Obey all laws associated with your training location. Keep truthful records and take
responsibility for their accuracy.
Business Practice
Keep adequate liability insurance and practice truth in appropriate advertising. maintain
accurate financial and client records to pay all due taxes for 4 years. Don't get sexually
involved with your clients.
Scope of Practice
Do you need more help? Check out Fitness Mentors Study Guide for the NASM CPT Exam to isolate the
topics that make it on the test. Go to www.fitnessmentors.com or call us at (424) 675-0476.
,This table shown in the book discusses the guidelines for health and fitness
professionals by displaying what a trainer should do if the client's health is of high-risk.
What should not be done:
• Counsel Clients
• Diagnose Injuries or Conditions
• Physical therapy or rehabilitation
• Give detailed diets / meal plans
What should be done:
• Coach Clients
• Identify past injuries and limit your exercises for the injury
• Recommend client to speak and get medical advice from physician
• General Nutrition Knowledge and refer them to a dietitian or nutritionist for
detailed diets
CHAPTER 2
NASM does not recommend knowing any of the material from Chapter 2, but does ask about 3
questions from the chapter. Check out our Study Guide for the NASM CPT to see what you
should focus on from this chapter.
CHAPTER 3
Know all definitions throughout the chapter
• Biomechanics: the study of the action of external and internal forces on the living
body, especially on the skeletal system.
Location Terminology
• Superior: referring to a point higher or above
• Inferior: referring to a point lower or below
• Proximal: referring to a point closer to the origin of a limb
• Distal: referring to a point farther from the origin of a limb
• Anterior (or ventral): referring to a point nearer to the front of the body
• Posterior (or dorsal): referring to a point nearer to the back of the body
Do you need more help? Check out Fitness Mentors Study Guide for the NASM CPT Exam to isolate the
topics that make it on the test. Go to www.fitnessmentors.com or call us at (424) 675-0476.
, • Medial: referring to a point nearer to the mid-line of the body
• Lateral: referring to a point further from the mid-line of the body
• Contralateral: referring to a point on the opposite side of the body
• Ipsilateral: referring to a point on the same side of the body
Planes of Motion, Axes and Joint Motions
• Anatomic position:
the erect position of the body with the face and gaze directed anteriorly, the uppe
r limbs at the side, and the palms of the hands directed anteriorly.
• Sagittal plane:
a longitudinal plane that divides the body of a bilaterally symmetrical animal into r
ight and left sections.
• Flexion: the act of bending a limb in the sagittal plane that typically decreases a
joint angle.
• Extension: the act of extending a limb that typically increases a joint angle.
• Hyperextension: the extension of a part of the body beyond normal limits.
• Frontal Plane:
a vertical plane at right angles to a sagittal plane, dividing the body intoanterior a
nd posterior portions. Also called frontal plane .
• Abduction: the act of moving a limb in the frontal plane that typically moves the
limb away from the mid-line of the body.
• Adduction: the act of moving a limb in the frontal plane that typically moves the
limb back toward the mid-line of the body.
• Transverse
Plane: a plane across the body at right angles to the coronal and sagittal plane a
nd perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a body or object; also, a plane dividin
g the body into an upper and lower section.
• Internal Rotation: the act of rotating a limb in the transverse plane toward the
mid-line of the body; or counter-clockwise when viewed from a superior view.
• External Rotation: the act of rotating a limb in the transverse plane away from
the mid-line of the body; or clockwise when viewed from a superior view.
• Horizontal Abduction: transverse plane movement similar to that of a rear deltoid
fly.
• Horizontal Adduction: transverse plane movement similar to that of a chest fly.
• Scapular Retraction: the act of sliding the shoulder blades toward the mid-line of
the body.
• Scapular Motion: the act of sliding the shoulder blades away from the mid-line of
the body.
• Scapular Depression: the act of sliding the shoulder blades inferiorly
• Scapular Elevation: the act of sliding the shoulder blades superiorly
Do you need more help? Check out Fitness Mentors Study Guide for the NASM CPT Exam to isolate the
topics that make it on the test. Go to www.fitnessmentors.com or call us at (424) 675-0476.
, Muscle Actions
*Eccentric
• Eccentric muscle action: when a muscle contraction is accompanied by
lengthening muscle tissue.
*Concentric
• Concentric muscle action: when a muscle contraction is accompanied by
shortening muscle tissue.
*Isometric
• Isometric muscle action: when a muscle contraction is accompanied by no
change in the length of the muscle tissue.
*Isokinetic
• Isokinetic muscle action: when a muscle maintains a constant speed during
contraction.
• Force: movement that results in the slowing down or speeding up of an object.
• Length-Tension Relationships: optimal length of a muscle results in optimal force
production.
• Force-Couple: a group of muscles that work together to produce force on a joint.
• Rotary Motion: rotational movement of the joints.
• Torque: something that produces or tends to produce torsion or rotation; the mo
ment of a force or system of forces tending to cause rotation.
Compare to - Three Planes of Motion
Do you need more help? Check out Fitness Mentors Study Guide for the NASM CPT Exam to isolate the
topics that make it on the test. Go to www.fitnessmentors.com or call us at (424) 675-0476.
FIFTH EDITION
Free Study Guide for the NASM CPT Exam
This guide has been created based on what NASM recommends you should know for their exam,
but does not accurately represent what shows up on the actual exam. For study material focused
on what shows up on the exam check out Fitness Mentors Audio Lectures, Study Guide and Practice
Tests for the NASM CPT Exam.
CHAPTER 1
National Academy of Sports Medicine Code of Professional Conduct
Professionalism:
Professionalism should be practiced during all client interactions. Use effective communication
and ensure a safe environment. Maintain good hygiene and wear appropriate clothing. Always
refer your clients to a doctor when unknown conditions arise.
Confidentiality
Secure client documents and respect the confidentiality of your client conversations.
Legal and Ethical
Obey all laws associated with your training location. Keep truthful records and take
responsibility for their accuracy.
Business Practice
Keep adequate liability insurance and practice truth in appropriate advertising. maintain
accurate financial and client records to pay all due taxes for 4 years. Don't get sexually
involved with your clients.
Scope of Practice
Do you need more help? Check out Fitness Mentors Study Guide for the NASM CPT Exam to isolate the
topics that make it on the test. Go to www.fitnessmentors.com or call us at (424) 675-0476.
,This table shown in the book discusses the guidelines for health and fitness
professionals by displaying what a trainer should do if the client's health is of high-risk.
What should not be done:
• Counsel Clients
• Diagnose Injuries or Conditions
• Physical therapy or rehabilitation
• Give detailed diets / meal plans
What should be done:
• Coach Clients
• Identify past injuries and limit your exercises for the injury
• Recommend client to speak and get medical advice from physician
• General Nutrition Knowledge and refer them to a dietitian or nutritionist for
detailed diets
CHAPTER 2
NASM does not recommend knowing any of the material from Chapter 2, but does ask about 3
questions from the chapter. Check out our Study Guide for the NASM CPT to see what you
should focus on from this chapter.
CHAPTER 3
Know all definitions throughout the chapter
• Biomechanics: the study of the action of external and internal forces on the living
body, especially on the skeletal system.
Location Terminology
• Superior: referring to a point higher or above
• Inferior: referring to a point lower or below
• Proximal: referring to a point closer to the origin of a limb
• Distal: referring to a point farther from the origin of a limb
• Anterior (or ventral): referring to a point nearer to the front of the body
• Posterior (or dorsal): referring to a point nearer to the back of the body
Do you need more help? Check out Fitness Mentors Study Guide for the NASM CPT Exam to isolate the
topics that make it on the test. Go to www.fitnessmentors.com or call us at (424) 675-0476.
, • Medial: referring to a point nearer to the mid-line of the body
• Lateral: referring to a point further from the mid-line of the body
• Contralateral: referring to a point on the opposite side of the body
• Ipsilateral: referring to a point on the same side of the body
Planes of Motion, Axes and Joint Motions
• Anatomic position:
the erect position of the body with the face and gaze directed anteriorly, the uppe
r limbs at the side, and the palms of the hands directed anteriorly.
• Sagittal plane:
a longitudinal plane that divides the body of a bilaterally symmetrical animal into r
ight and left sections.
• Flexion: the act of bending a limb in the sagittal plane that typically decreases a
joint angle.
• Extension: the act of extending a limb that typically increases a joint angle.
• Hyperextension: the extension of a part of the body beyond normal limits.
• Frontal Plane:
a vertical plane at right angles to a sagittal plane, dividing the body intoanterior a
nd posterior portions. Also called frontal plane .
• Abduction: the act of moving a limb in the frontal plane that typically moves the
limb away from the mid-line of the body.
• Adduction: the act of moving a limb in the frontal plane that typically moves the
limb back toward the mid-line of the body.
• Transverse
Plane: a plane across the body at right angles to the coronal and sagittal plane a
nd perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a body or object; also, a plane dividin
g the body into an upper and lower section.
• Internal Rotation: the act of rotating a limb in the transverse plane toward the
mid-line of the body; or counter-clockwise when viewed from a superior view.
• External Rotation: the act of rotating a limb in the transverse plane away from
the mid-line of the body; or clockwise when viewed from a superior view.
• Horizontal Abduction: transverse plane movement similar to that of a rear deltoid
fly.
• Horizontal Adduction: transverse plane movement similar to that of a chest fly.
• Scapular Retraction: the act of sliding the shoulder blades toward the mid-line of
the body.
• Scapular Motion: the act of sliding the shoulder blades away from the mid-line of
the body.
• Scapular Depression: the act of sliding the shoulder blades inferiorly
• Scapular Elevation: the act of sliding the shoulder blades superiorly
Do you need more help? Check out Fitness Mentors Study Guide for the NASM CPT Exam to isolate the
topics that make it on the test. Go to www.fitnessmentors.com or call us at (424) 675-0476.
, Muscle Actions
*Eccentric
• Eccentric muscle action: when a muscle contraction is accompanied by
lengthening muscle tissue.
*Concentric
• Concentric muscle action: when a muscle contraction is accompanied by
shortening muscle tissue.
*Isometric
• Isometric muscle action: when a muscle contraction is accompanied by no
change in the length of the muscle tissue.
*Isokinetic
• Isokinetic muscle action: when a muscle maintains a constant speed during
contraction.
• Force: movement that results in the slowing down or speeding up of an object.
• Length-Tension Relationships: optimal length of a muscle results in optimal force
production.
• Force-Couple: a group of muscles that work together to produce force on a joint.
• Rotary Motion: rotational movement of the joints.
• Torque: something that produces or tends to produce torsion or rotation; the mo
ment of a force or system of forces tending to cause rotation.
Compare to - Three Planes of Motion
Do you need more help? Check out Fitness Mentors Study Guide for the NASM CPT Exam to isolate the
topics that make it on the test. Go to www.fitnessmentors.com or call us at (424) 675-0476.
