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

Answer: C

The gastrocnemius attaches only to the tibia, so knee position has no effect on it: The gastrocnemius starts above the knee on the femoral condyles. That is exactly why knee position affects it.

Knee flexion stretches the gastrocnemius to its optimal length, so the soleus is recruited first: Knee flexion shortens the gastrocnemius, not lengthens it. That puts it at a disadvantage rather than an optimal length.

Bent knees shorten the two-joint gastrocnemius, cutting its force, so the soleus works more: Correct. The gastrocnemius crosses both the knee and the ankle. Bending the knee slackens it (active insufficiency), so the one-joint soleus becomes the main plantar flexor.

The soleus is a two-joint muscle, so it becomes stronger whenever the knee is bent: The soleus is a one-joint muscle. It starts on the tibia and fibula and crosses only the ankle.

Two-joint muscles lose force when they are shortened across both joints (active insufficiency). Calves: straight knee = gastrocnemius bias; bent knee = soleus bias.

Answer: D

About 49 kcal: This is the result for only 10 minutes (4.9 kcal/min × 10).

About 294 kcal: This is double the correct value, as if 7 METs were used.

About 1,470 kcal: This is 10 times the correct value. It comes from a misplaced decimal in the calculation.

About 147 kcal: Correct. (3.5 × 3.5 × 80) ÷ 200 = 4.9 kcal/min, and 4.9 × 30 min ≈ 147 kcal.

1 MET = 3.5 mL O₂/kg/min. kcal/min = METs × 3.5 × kg ÷ 200. Multiply by the number of minutes.

Answer: B

Continue the test, since systolic pressure normally falls as exercise intensity rises: Systolic pressure normally rises as workload increases. A fall is an abnormal response.

Stop the test and monitor the client, since this abnormal drop is a test end point: Correct. A fall in systolic BP of more than 10 mmHg despite rising workload is a standard reason to end the test, and the client should be monitored.

Raise the workload to confirm the reading, since one low value is often caused by cuff error: Making the effort harder after an abnormal response adds risk. Stop first, then reassess under safe conditions.

Continue but shorten each stage, since only diastolic changes matter during a cycle test: Systolic responses are a primary safety indicator. A fall in systolic pressure during exercise is a key termination criterion.

Stop a test if systolic BP drops more than 10 mmHg with increasing workload, systolic BP rises above 250 mmHg or diastolic above 115 mmHg, heart rate fails to rise, or signs or symptoms such as angina or dizziness appear.

Answer: C

Linear (traditional) periodization: Linear periodization changes volume and intensity gradually from one block of weeks to the next, not within each week.

Block periodization with a single focus: Block models focus each multi-week block on one quality. They do not rotate rep ranges within the week.

Daily undulating periodization: Correct. Changing the loading and rep range from session to session within the same week is daily undulating (nonlinear) periodization.

Reverse linear periodization: Reverse linear periodization moves from high intensity toward high volume over successive blocks, not from day to day.

Linear = gradual change from block to block. Undulating = frequent changes (daily or weekly) in rep ranges and intensity.

Answer: B

Cue him to jerk the bar up faster so the lift is over before his back can round: Pulling explosively from a rounded position increases spinal stress and does not fix the setup.

Cue a hip hinge, neutral spine and close bar, and raise the start height if needed: Correct. Bracing a neutral spine, hinging at the hips and keeping the bar close fixes the fault. Raising the bar (for example, block pulls) lets him practice good positions within his current mobility.

Switch to stiff-legged deadlifts with locked knees to make the hamstrings work harder: Locking the knees adds hamstring tension and makes it harder to keep a neutral spine. It does not address the cause.

Have him look straight down at the floor and let the bar swing out over his toes: Letting the bar drift forward lengthens the moment arm on the low back, which is the problem being corrected.

Deadlift: brace a neutral spine, hinge at the hips, keep the bar close (over midfoot). Regress the range of motion when mobility limits position.

Answer: D

Schedule all conditioning outdoors in cold, dry air to build up her lung tolerance: Cold, dry air is a common trigger for bronchoconstriction. Training in it raises risk rather than building tolerance.

Start every session with maximal sprints to trigger and get past any symptoms early: Starting with maximal effort, without a gradual warm-up, is more likely to set off symptoms.

Have her leave the prescribed inhaler in her car so she learns to manage without it: The rescue inhaler should always be at hand during exercise. Removing it is unsafe.

Use a gradual warm-up and prescribed medication, and keep her inhaler within reach: Correct. A long, gradual warm-up, using pre-exercise medication as directed by her physician, and keeping the rescue inhaler nearby all reduce risk.

Asthma/EIB: gradual, extended warm-up; pre-exercise medication as prescribed; inhaler within reach; avoid cold, dry or polluted air; stop if symptoms persist.