APF FINAL | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION
Why are formal and/or informal assessments of physical fitness and physical
performance an important prerequisite to exercise/physical activity
prescription? Why do we bother to conduct physical fitness assessments?
Answer - ensure saftey, decrease risk of injury
What is a PAR-Q+? What information can it provide? Answer - 7 step
questionnaire for people of all ages.
Screens for evidence of risk factors, is not diagnostic
What should be included in an informed consent (all informed consent
documents)? Answer - Important ethical and legal consideration
According to ACSM, informed consent documents should contain the following:
- Purpose and explanation of tests/protocols, etc
- Risks and discomforts
- Participant responsibilities
- Potential benefits
Information for further inquiries
- Use of medical records (HIPAA)
- Freedom of consent
Signature
,What are the 8 positive and 1 negative risk factor(s) for coronary artery
disease? Why is this information important from an assessment perspective?
Answer - Positive:
1) smoking
1) high blood pressure
2) high cholesterol
3) lack of regular exercise
4) diabetes
5) obesity
6) poor diet
7) hyperlipidemia
Negative:
1) Low levels of HDL's (high density lipoprotein cholesterol)
- Identifies whether client needs clearance and lowers the risk of injury during
an exercise assessment
What do we mean by fasting blood glucose? Answer - Blood test to diagnose
prediabetes or diabetes, determines how much glucose is in a blood sample
after an overnight fast.
What signs and symptoms should also be noted that might be suggestive of
cardiopulmonary, renal, or metabolic disease? Answer - high blood pressure,
obesity, impaired fasting glucose, low HDL levels
How do we define moderate and vigorous exercise, and submaximal or
maximal testing
, intensity? In each of these conditions when should a client who is low,
moderate, or high risk seek an additional medical exam or have a physician
present for exercise testing? Answer - Moderate intensity: Between 64-75%
max heart rate, 3-6 METs
should get clearance if shows symptoms of CV, metabolic or renal disease
Vigorous intensity: Between 75-85% max heart rate, 6+ METs
should get clearance if not currently physically active, known CV, metabolic or
renal disease both asymptomatic and symptomatic
How do you calculate body mass index? What BMI is classified as underweight,
overweight, or obese? Answer - BMI= weight (lb) / [height (in)]2 x 703
Underweight: Below 18.5
Overweight: 25-29.9
Obese: > 30
Why does an exercise professional need to be aware of client medications?
Answer - Medications can cause abnormal affects to HR and blood pressure
during exercise. Understanding side effects of medications is important to
monitor aspects such as stress in other means than HR, and for prescribing
proper intensity protocols.
What factors (environmental, psychometric, client-based, etc) may influence
the type of test you use to assess CV fitness, MSE, flexibility, etc, for a given
client? Answer - - Determine if exercise mode, test, intensity, or duration will
cause illness or injury
- Determine if medication would interfere w/ outcomes of exercise testing
- Determine if any side effects may cause illness or injury
- Better understanding of pre-existing conditions
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION
Why are formal and/or informal assessments of physical fitness and physical
performance an important prerequisite to exercise/physical activity
prescription? Why do we bother to conduct physical fitness assessments?
Answer - ensure saftey, decrease risk of injury
What is a PAR-Q+? What information can it provide? Answer - 7 step
questionnaire for people of all ages.
Screens for evidence of risk factors, is not diagnostic
What should be included in an informed consent (all informed consent
documents)? Answer - Important ethical and legal consideration
According to ACSM, informed consent documents should contain the following:
- Purpose and explanation of tests/protocols, etc
- Risks and discomforts
- Participant responsibilities
- Potential benefits
Information for further inquiries
- Use of medical records (HIPAA)
- Freedom of consent
Signature
,What are the 8 positive and 1 negative risk factor(s) for coronary artery
disease? Why is this information important from an assessment perspective?
Answer - Positive:
1) smoking
1) high blood pressure
2) high cholesterol
3) lack of regular exercise
4) diabetes
5) obesity
6) poor diet
7) hyperlipidemia
Negative:
1) Low levels of HDL's (high density lipoprotein cholesterol)
- Identifies whether client needs clearance and lowers the risk of injury during
an exercise assessment
What do we mean by fasting blood glucose? Answer - Blood test to diagnose
prediabetes or diabetes, determines how much glucose is in a blood sample
after an overnight fast.
What signs and symptoms should also be noted that might be suggestive of
cardiopulmonary, renal, or metabolic disease? Answer - high blood pressure,
obesity, impaired fasting glucose, low HDL levels
How do we define moderate and vigorous exercise, and submaximal or
maximal testing
, intensity? In each of these conditions when should a client who is low,
moderate, or high risk seek an additional medical exam or have a physician
present for exercise testing? Answer - Moderate intensity: Between 64-75%
max heart rate, 3-6 METs
should get clearance if shows symptoms of CV, metabolic or renal disease
Vigorous intensity: Between 75-85% max heart rate, 6+ METs
should get clearance if not currently physically active, known CV, metabolic or
renal disease both asymptomatic and symptomatic
How do you calculate body mass index? What BMI is classified as underweight,
overweight, or obese? Answer - BMI= weight (lb) / [height (in)]2 x 703
Underweight: Below 18.5
Overweight: 25-29.9
Obese: > 30
Why does an exercise professional need to be aware of client medications?
Answer - Medications can cause abnormal affects to HR and blood pressure
during exercise. Understanding side effects of medications is important to
monitor aspects such as stress in other means than HR, and for prescribing
proper intensity protocols.
What factors (environmental, psychometric, client-based, etc) may influence
the type of test you use to assess CV fitness, MSE, flexibility, etc, for a given
client? Answer - - Determine if exercise mode, test, intensity, or duration will
cause illness or injury
- Determine if medication would interfere w/ outcomes of exercise testing
- Determine if any side effects may cause illness or injury
- Better understanding of pre-existing conditions
