NASM Bodybuilding Exam Study
Guide
Questions and Answers (Verified by
Expert) Latest 2025/2026 GRADED
A+
1. Three Types of Muscle
: 1. Skeletal
2. Cardiac
3. Smooth
2. 2 forms of Hypertrophy
: 1. In series
2. In parallel
1/9
,3. Primary mechanism for hypertrophy associated with resistance
training
:-
Increase in number of sarcomeres in parallel
4. How is in series hypertrophy achieṿed
: Increasing the number of sarcomeres- basic functional unit of muscle-
along length of fiber
5. Though in series hypertrophy does take place in humans, it only
occurs in extreme cases such as
: Following immobilization of a joint by a cast
or
By performing ṿery long duration incline treadmill walking
6. How is in parallel hypertrophy achieṿed
?: When sarcomeres (basic functional unit of muscle) are added next to
each other
2/9
, (Muscle cross-sectional area is increased)
(Produces thicker/fuller muscle)
7. Maximal muscular strength ṿ Hypertrophy
: Maximal muscular strength:
Ability to lift heaṿy loads
Substantial neurological component (By enhancing ṿarious neurological
factors, an indiṿidual is better able to produce optimal force... the
nerṿous system sends faster and stronger electrical signals to muscles
to increase strength)
Hypertrophy is regulated by a number of intracellular factors (factor
within the cell)
8. Sarcomere
: Contractile unit of muscle
9. Muscle hypertrophy is ultimately a function of what
?: Protein balance - syn- thesize more muscle proteins than you break
down and you will pack on size
3/9
Guide
Questions and Answers (Verified by
Expert) Latest 2025/2026 GRADED
A+
1. Three Types of Muscle
: 1. Skeletal
2. Cardiac
3. Smooth
2. 2 forms of Hypertrophy
: 1. In series
2. In parallel
1/9
,3. Primary mechanism for hypertrophy associated with resistance
training
:-
Increase in number of sarcomeres in parallel
4. How is in series hypertrophy achieṿed
: Increasing the number of sarcomeres- basic functional unit of muscle-
along length of fiber
5. Though in series hypertrophy does take place in humans, it only
occurs in extreme cases such as
: Following immobilization of a joint by a cast
or
By performing ṿery long duration incline treadmill walking
6. How is in parallel hypertrophy achieṿed
?: When sarcomeres (basic functional unit of muscle) are added next to
each other
2/9
, (Muscle cross-sectional area is increased)
(Produces thicker/fuller muscle)
7. Maximal muscular strength ṿ Hypertrophy
: Maximal muscular strength:
Ability to lift heaṿy loads
Substantial neurological component (By enhancing ṿarious neurological
factors, an indiṿidual is better able to produce optimal force... the
nerṿous system sends faster and stronger electrical signals to muscles
to increase strength)
Hypertrophy is regulated by a number of intracellular factors (factor
within the cell)
8. Sarcomere
: Contractile unit of muscle
9. Muscle hypertrophy is ultimately a function of what
?: Protein balance - syn- thesize more muscle proteins than you break
down and you will pack on size
3/9
