ACSM-CPT Practice Questions (2026) — Free Sample Questions with Answers

Answer: C

Begin vigorous-intensity training, since she has no symptoms: Vigorous exercise is not appropriate for an inactive client with known metabolic disease before clearance.

Require a maximal exercise test before any activity at all: ACSM screening does not automatically require exercise testing; clearance is decided by her healthcare provider.

Recommend medical clearance before she starts the program: Correct. For people who are not currently exercising and have known cardiovascular, metabolic or renal disease, medical clearance is recommended even without symptoms; afterwards, start at light to moderate intensity.

Skip clearance, since diabetes does not affect exercise risk: Diabetes is a metabolic disease that is specifically part of the ACSM screening algorithm.

ACSM screening considers current activity level, known CV/metabolic/renal disease, signs or symptoms, and desired intensity. Inactive clients with known disease need medical clearance, then light-to-moderate exercise with gradual progression.

Answer: A

48–56 kg for 8–12 repetitions: Correct. ACSM recommends 60–70% of 1-RM for novice to intermediate exercisers: 0.60 × 80 = 48 kg and 0.70 × 80 = 56 kg.

64–72 kg for 3–5 repetitions: 80–90% of 1-RM is for experienced lifters training for maximal strength, not novices.

24–32 kg for 25–30 repetitions: 30–40% of 1-RM is too light for strength development, even though it is safe.

80 kg for single repetitions: Training at 100% of 1-RM is inappropriate for a novice.

Resistance FITT: 2–3 days/week per muscle group; novices use 60–70% of 1-RM for 8–12 reps; experienced lifters use 80% or more for strength; older or very deconditioned clients start at 40–50% for 10–15 reps.

Answer: B

104 bpm: This is 60% of predicted HRmax (0.60 × 173), not of heart rate reserve.

132 bpm: Correct. HRmax = 208 − 35 = 173; HRR = 173 − 70 = 103; THR = 0.60 × 103 + 70 = 131.8 ≈ 132 bpm.

130 bpm: This uses 220 − age (HRmax 170); the stem specifies the 208 − 0.7 × age equation.

62 bpm: This is 60% of HRR without adding back the resting heart rate.

Karvonen: THR = [(HRmax − HRrest) × % intensity] + HRrest. With HRR, moderate is 40% to under 60% and vigorous is 60% to under 90%.

Answer: C

Increase her mileage to keep her race-ready: More training would worsen low energy availability and bone stress.

Recommend a strict low-calorie diet for leanness: Restricting energy further would worsen RED-S and bone health.

Refer her to a physician and dietitian for evaluation: Correct. Low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction and low bone density signal RED-S (Female Athlete Triad), which needs medical and nutrition evaluation.

Treat the fracture with a rehab plan you design: Managing a stress fracture and diagnosing RED-S are outside the CPT scope of practice.

RED-S/Triad warning signs (low energy availability, amenorrhea, stress fractures) call for referral to a physician and sports dietitian and for coordinated, cleared training adjustments.

Answer: D

Only bouts of 10 minutes or longer count toward weekly totals: The 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines removed the 10-minute minimum bout requirement.

Exercise only on weekends and skip weekday activity: Weekend activity can count, but encouraging all-or-nothing patterns misses easy weekday opportunities.

Wait until her schedule frees up before beginning: Delaying activity reinforces the barrier instead of solving it.

Short bouts through the day, like stair breaks, all count: Correct. Moderate-to-vigorous activity of any duration counts toward weekly goals, so short bouts and lifestyle activity help overcome time barriers.

Time barriers: accumulate activity in short bouts, add lifestyle activity (stairs, walking meetings, parking farther away), and schedule sessions like appointments.

Answer: D

Have her finish the set before checking again: Continued exercise lowers blood glucose further and delays treatment.

Have her take extra insulin to stabilize her: Insulin lowers blood glucose and would worsen hypoglycemia; trainers also don't give medication advice.

Offer a high-fat snack, such as nuts, to eat slowly: Fat slows carbohydrate absorption; fast-acting carbohydrate is needed.

Stop, give 15–20 g fast carbs, recheck in 15 min: Correct. Conscious hypoglycemia is treated by stopping exercise, giving fast-acting glucose, and rechecking; activate EMS if she worsens or cannot swallow.

Hypoglycemia (below about 70 mg/dL) with symptoms: stop exercise, give 15–20 g fast-acting carbohydrate, recheck after 15 minutes, and repeat as needed. Call EMS for unconsciousness or inability to swallow.