Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Nutrition & Fitness

Take the ACSM Exercise Physiology Practice Quiz

Ready for exercise physiology exam 1? Challenge yourself with this free practice test!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of a clipboard with test sheet, pencil, muscle icon and rising arrow on coral background

Ready to elevate your exercise physiology test 1 skills with an engaging challenge? This free ACSM Exercise Physiologist Practice Test offers a dynamic exercise physiology practice quiz designed for aspiring professionals like you. Dive into exercise physiology exam 1 style questions that cover energy systems, biomechanics, exercise prescription, and physiological responses. You'll reinforce core concepts, sharpen critical thinking, and track your progress instantly. Kickstart your prep now, explore our guided practice session for focused drills, or boost your review with extra practice questions . Let's get started!

What does ACSM stand for?
Association of Clinical Sports Medicine
American Committee on Sports Medicine
American Council on Sports Management
American College of Sports Medicine
ACSM stands for American College of Sports Medicine, a leading organization in sports medicine and exercise science. It sets standards for education and certification in exercise physiology and publishes guidelines recognized worldwide.
Which term describes the maximal amount of oxygen consumed per minute per kilogram of body weight?
MET value
Respiratory exchange rate
VO2 max
VO2 peak
VO2 max refers to the maximal amount of oxygen the body can utilize during intense exercise, expressed in mL·kg?¹·min?¹. It's a key indicator of aerobic fitness and cardiovascular capacity.
Which energy system is predominantly used at rest?
Phosphagen system (ATP-PCr)
Oxidative (aerobic) system
Glycolytic system
Lactate system
At rest, the body primarily relies on the oxidative (aerobic) system, which uses oxygen to convert carbohydrates and fats into ATP. This system is efficient for prolonged, low-intensity activities and resting metabolic needs.
What is the normal average core body temperature in humans?
36°C (96.8°F)
39°C (102.2°F)
37°C (98.6°F)
38°C (100.4°F)
The normal average core body temperature is about 37°C (98.6°F). Small daily fluctuations occur, but values significantly above or below this range can indicate fever or hypothermia.
In exercise prescription, what does the FITT principle represent?
Frequency, Interval, Time, Type
Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type
Formula, Intensity, Time, Training
Frequency, Intensity, Technique, Type
The FITT principle stands for Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type, and guides the development of an effective exercise program. Adjusting each element helps tailor workouts to specific goals.
How many minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity does ACSM recommend per week for healthy adults?
75 minutes
300 minutes
200 minutes
150 minutes
ACSM recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week for healthy adults to reduce the risk of chronic disease and improve fitness.
Approximately how much total water intake does ACSM suggest per day for most adults?
3 liters
2 liters
1 liter
4 liters
ACSM suggests around 2.7 - 3.7 liters of total water intake per day for most adults, including beverages and food moisture. Individual needs vary with activity, climate, and physiology.
What is the range of the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale?
6 to 20
1 to 10
0 to 10
0 to 20
The Borg RPE scale ranges from 6 to 20, designed to correlate roughly with heart rate values multiplied by 10. It's used to gauge subjective exertion during exercise.
Which muscle tissue type is under voluntary control?
Cardiac muscle
Smooth muscle
Skeletal muscle
Connective tissue
Skeletal muscle is under voluntary (somatic) control via the central nervous system. Cardiac and smooth muscle function involuntarily.
Cardiac output is calculated by which formula?
Stroke volume × total peripheral resistance
Mean arterial pressure / total peripheral resistance
Heart rate × stroke volume
Heart rate × mean arterial pressure
Cardiac output (Q?) equals heart rate (HR) multiplied by stroke volume (SV), reflecting the volume of blood the heart pumps per minute.
The term 'lactate threshold' is most synonymous with which phrase?
Lactate threshold
Fatigue threshold
Ventilatory threshold
Oxygen deficit
The lactate threshold is the exercise intensity at which lactate begins to accumulate in the blood faster than it can be removed. It's a key marker of endurance performance.
What is the primary purpose of a warm-up before intense exercise?
To measure maximal heart rate
To prepare the body physiologically
To reduce muscle temperature
To break down lactic acid
A warm-up elevates muscle temperature, increases blood flow, and primes the nervous system, helping to reduce injury risk and improve performance.
Which heart rate reserve (HRR) percentage range corresponds to moderate-intensity exercise according to ACSM?
40 - 59%
60 - 79%
80 - 90%
20 - 39%
Moderate-intensity exercise is defined as 40 - 59% of heart rate reserve (HRR) using the Karvonen method, per ACSM guidelines for healthy adults.
Beta-oxidation refers to the breakdown of which macronutrient?
Amino acids
Fatty acids
Proteins
Glucose
Beta-oxidation is the metabolic process by which fatty acids are broken down in the mitochondria to generate acetyl-CoA, which enters the citric acid cycle.
One metabolic equivalent (MET) is defined as the oxygen uptake at rest. Approximately how many mL·kg?¹·min?¹ does 1 MET represent?
1 mL·kg?¹·min?¹
5 mL·kg?¹·min?¹
3.5 mL·kg?¹·min?¹
7.0 mL·kg?¹·min?¹
One MET is defined as an oxygen consumption of 3.5 mL·kg?¹·min?¹, approximating the resting metabolic rate of an adult.
Which principle states that training adaptations are specific to the type of stimulus applied?
Progressive overload
Reversibility
Individuality
Specificity
The principle of specificity indicates that training adaptations are specific to the type of activity, muscle fibers, and energy systems recruited.
What is the main purpose of a cool-down following exercise?
To increase delayed onset muscle soreness
To increase lactic acid production
To gradually return heart rate and blood pressure to resting levels
To elevate body temperature further
A cool-down helps prevent blood pooling and facilitates gradual recovery of heart rate and blood pressure, reducing dizziness or fainting risk.
How many days per week does ACSM recommend resistance training for healthy adults?
1 day per week
2 days per week
3 days per week
4 days per week
ACSM recommends healthy adults engage in resistance training two or more days per week on non-consecutive days to allow for recovery.
Which layer of the heart wall lies directly beneath the pericardium?
Epicardium
Pericardial cavity
Endocardium
Myocardium
The epicardium is the visceral layer of the serous pericardium and lies directly beneath the outer pericardial sac. The myocardium is the muscle layer, and endocardium lines the chambers.
Stroke volume is best described as which of the following?
Volume of blood pumped per minute
Volume of blood ejected per cardiac contraction
Volume of blood in ventricles at end-diastole
Volume of blood in ventricles at end-systole
Stroke volume is the amount of blood the heart ejects with each beat, an important determinant of cardiac output in combination with heart rate.
Which term refers to an increase in muscle cell size?
Apoptosis
Hyperplasia
Atrophy
Hypertrophy
Hypertrophy refers to an increase in the size of existing muscle fibers, whereas hyperplasia is an increase in the number of fibers.
The respiratory quotient (RQ) is calculated as which ratio?
CO2 eliminated / ATP produced
ATP produced / O2 consumed
O2 consumed / CO2 produced
CO2 produced / O2 consumed
RQ is the ratio of carbon dioxide produced to oxygen consumed at the cellular level, indicating substrate utilization (carbs vs fats).
How does high altitude generally affect VO2 max?
It decreases due to lower oxygen pressure
It increases due to cold air
It depends on hydration status
It remains unchanged
High altitude reduces barometric pressure and partial pressure of oxygen, leading to lower arterial oxygen saturation and decreased VO2 max.
Which of the following is NOT considered a skill-related component of fitness?
Agility
Body composition
Coordination
Power
Skill-related components include agility, balance, coordination, power, reaction time, and speed. Body composition is a health-related component.
Which principle of training states that training stress must progressively increase to continue eliciting adaptation?
Specificity
Variation
Reversibility
Progressive overload
The principle of progressive overload requires gradually increasing training stimulus (intensity, volume, or frequency) to provoke continuous physiological adaptations.
What is the main purpose of periodization in exercise training?
To prevent any variation in load
To eliminate rest days
To systematically vary training for optimal performance
To fix a single training intensity
Periodization involves planned variations in training specificity, intensity, and volume to maximize performance and recovery while reducing injury risk.
What does EPOC stand for in exercise physiology?
Elevated Postexercise Oxygen Cost
Excess Postexercise Oxygen Consumption
Excessive Postexercise Oxygen Calibration
Elevated Postexercise Oxygen Calibration
EPOC stands for Excess Postexercise Oxygen Consumption, referring to the elevated oxygen uptake following strenuous exercise as the body restores homeostasis.
On an ECG, which change is most indicative of myocardial ischemia?
ST-segment elevation
ST-segment depression
Peaked T wave
Prolonged PR interval
ST-segment depression on an ECG is commonly associated with subendocardial ischemia and reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.
During high-intensity exercise (>80% VO2 max), which substrate is predominantly used for energy?
Carbohydrates
Phosphagen only
Fatty acids
Proteins
At high intensities, the body relies mainly on carbohydrate metabolism because it provides ATP more rapidly than fat oxidation.
How is target heart rate calculated using the Karvonen method?
Resting HR + (intensity% × HRmax)
(HRmax ? Resting HR) / intensity%
Resting HR + (intensity% × (HRmax ? Resting HR))
HRmax × intensity%
The Karvonen method calculates target HR as Resting HR + intensity% × (HRmax ? Resting HR), accounting for individual resting heart rate.
Under anaerobic conditions, what is the primary end product of glycolysis?
Acetyl-CoA
Pyruvate
Lactate
Glucose-6-phosphate
When oxygen is limited, pyruvate is converted to lactate to regenerate NAD+, allowing glycolysis to continue producing ATP anaerobically.
Stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptors has what effect on heart rate?
Causes arrhythmias
No change in heart rate
Increases heart rate
Decreases heart rate
Beta-adrenergic stimulation (e.g., via epinephrine) increases heart rate and contractility by activating sympathetic pathways in the heart.
In the Fick equation, VO2 = Q? × (a-v?O2 difference). What does a-v?O2 difference represent?
Difference in arterial and venous oxygen content
Difference in CO2 production rates
Difference in ventilation and perfusion
Difference in alveolar and atmospheric O2 pressure
Arteriovenous O2 difference represents how much oxygen is extracted by tissues from the blood, a key component of the Fick equation for VO2.
The Frank-Starling mechanism describes what relationship in the heart?
Heart rate decreases with increased preload
Stroke volume increases with increased venous return
Contractility is independent of fiber length
Cardiac output decreases with increased afterload
The Frank-Starling law states that the heart ejects more blood (higher stroke volume) when more blood returns to it (increased preload), due to optimized actin-myosin overlap.
Which hormone is known to increase in concentration in response to acute resistance training?
Thyroxine
Insulin
Testosterone
Cortisol
Acute resistance exercise often leads to transient increases in anabolic hormones like testosterone, which may play a role in muscle adaptation.
Which transcriptional coactivator is a key regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle?
NF-?B
PGC-1?
AMPK
mTOR
PGC-1? (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha) is the master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and is activated by endurance exercise.
Central fatigue theory attributes performance decline primarily to changes in what system?
Accumulation of lactic acid in muscles
Depletion of muscle glycogen
Electrolyte imbalance
Neurological drive from the central nervous system
Central fatigue suggests that reduced neural drive from the central nervous system to muscles contributes significantly to performance decline during prolonged exercise.
Chronic endurance training typically produces which change in blood lipids?
Decreased LDL and increased HDL
Increased LDL and increased HDL
No change in LDL and decreased HDL
Increased triglycerides only
Regular endurance training often leads to reductions in LDL cholesterol and increases in protective HDL cholesterol, improving cardiovascular health.
With endurance training, Type I muscle fibers typically demonstrate which adaptation?
Decreased myoglobin content
Decreased mitochondrial density
Increased capillary density
Decreased oxidative enzymes
Endurance training increases capillary density around Type I (slow-twitch) fibers, enhancing oxygen delivery and aerobic metabolism.
Where in the lungs does the majority of gas exchange occur?
Alveolar-capillary membrane
Bronchi
Trachea
Terminal bronchioles
Gas exchange primarily occurs across the alveolar-capillary membrane where oxygen diffuses into blood and carbon dioxide diffuses out.
What characterizes the ventilatory threshold during incremental exercise?
Plateau in CO2 production
Linearly proportional rise in ventilation to VO2
Nonlinear increase in ventilation relative to VO2
Sharp decrease in heart rate
The ventilatory threshold marks the point at which ventilation increases disproportionately to oxygen uptake due to lactic acid buffering and CO2 rise.
A rightward shift of the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve can be caused by which condition?
Increased CO2 and decreased pH (acidosis)
Increased pH (alkalosis)
Decreased temperature
Decreased 2,3-DPG
A rightward shift (Bohr effect) occurs with increased CO2, increased temperature, or decreased pH, facilitating oxygen unloading in tissues.
Which enzyme is considered rate-limiting in the citric acid cycle?
Citrate synthase
Isocitrate dehydrogenase
Malate dehydrogenase
Succinate thiokinase
Isocitrate dehydrogenase is a key rate-limiting enzyme in the Krebs cycle, regulating the conversion of isocitrate to ?-ketoglutarate.
What happens to plasma volume after the initial weeks of endurance training?
Remains unchanged
Fluctuates daily without trend
Increases due to plasma protein synthesis
Decreases due to dehydration
Endurance training initially expands plasma volume, partly due to increased albumin and other plasma proteins, improving cardiovascular efficiency.
In smooth muscle, which enzyme phosphorylates myosin light chains to initiate contraction?
Adenylate cyclase
Myosin light chain kinase (MLCK)
Myosin light chain phosphatase
Protein kinase C
Myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) phosphorylates the regulatory light chain of myosin in smooth muscle, enabling cross-bridge cycling and contraction.
Which adaptation is most responsible for improved heat tolerance with acclimatization?
Reduced skin blood flow
Decreased sweat rate
Increased plasma volume
Elevated core temperature
Heat acclimatization increases plasma volume and sweat rate, improving thermoregulation and cardiovascular stability in hot environments.
The fast component of excess postexercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) is mainly used for what?
Resynthesizing phosphocreatine stores
Restoring body temperature
Clearing lactate
Repairing muscle microtears
The fast component of EPOC restores ATP and phosphocreatine stores in muscle, which are depleted during high-intensity exercise.
What role does PGC-1? play in skeletal muscle adaptation to endurance training?
Promotes mitochondrial biogenesis
Inhibits mitochondrial biogenesis
Activates glycolysis
Triggers muscle atrophy
PGC-1? is a transcriptional coactivator that upregulates genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative metabolism, enhancing endurance capacity.
Complex I of the mitochondrial electron transport chain is responsible for which action?
Transferring electrons from FADH2 to ubiquinone
Oxidizing cytochrome c
Pumping protons while transferring electrons from NADH to ubiquinone
Synthesizing ATP directly
Complex I transfers electrons from NADH to ubiquinone and pumps protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane, creating a proton gradient for ATP synthesis.
Which biomechanical factor is most closely associated with improved running economy?
Shorter ground contact time
Greater knee flexion at contact
High vertical oscillation
Excessive stride length
Shorter ground contact time reduces wasted energy and improves elastic energy return, leading to better running economy.
Through which pathway does mTOR primarily mediate muscle hypertrophy?
MAPK/ERK pathway
JAK-STAT pathway
PI3K/Akt pathway
cAMP/PKA pathway
The PI3K/Akt pathway activates mTOR, which stimulates protein synthesis and muscle hypertrophy through translation initiation.
A common genetic polymorphism in the ACE gene is associated with which athletic trait?
Enhanced endurance performance
No influence on performance
Enhanced strength and power performance
Both endurance and power adaptations
The ACE I/D polymorphism has been linked to both endurance (I allele) and power (D allele) performance traits, influencing training adaptations.
0
{"name":"What does ACSM stand for?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"What does ACSM stand for?, Which term describes the maximal amount of oxygen consumed per minute per kilogram of body weight?, Which energy system is predominantly used at rest?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Understand core exercise physiology concepts -

    Explain major principles covered in exercise physiology test 1, including energy systems, muscle function, and cardiovascular dynamics.

  2. Analyze cardiovascular and respiratory responses -

    Interpret how heart rate, stroke volume, and pulmonary ventilation adapt during various exercise intensities.

  3. Apply metabolic knowledge to performance scenarios -

    Utilize ATP-PCr, glycolytic, and oxidative pathways to predict energy supply during different types of exercise.

  4. Evaluate muscular adaptations and biomechanics -

    Assess how resistance and endurance training influence muscle fiber recruitment and movement mechanics.

  5. Interpret test data to improve preparation -

    Use instant quiz feedback from the ACSM exercise physiologist practice test free resource to identify knowledge gaps and focus study efforts.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Cardiac Output and Fick Principle -

    Cardiac output (Q) equals HR × SV, a cornerstone formula tested on exercise physiology test 1. Understanding the Fick equation (VO2 = Q × (a - v)O2 difference) helps you calculate oxygen delivery and uptake under varying exercise intensities. Practice a sample problem: if HR = 150 bpm and SV = 100 mL, what's Q in L·min−1?

  2. Energy Systems: ATP-PC, Glycolysis, Oxidative -

    Know the timeframes and yields: ATP-PC fuels ~10 seconds, anaerobic glycolysis ~30 - 120 seconds, and oxidative phosphorylation dominates beyond 2 minutes. Use the mnemonic "A Pig Once Ran" (ATP-PC, Glycolysis, Oxidative) to recall system order during an exercise physiology exam 1. Remember the key reaction: PCr + ADP → ATP + Cr for rapid rephosphorylation.

  3. Muscle Fiber Types and Recruitment -

    Type I fibers (slow-twitch) excel in endurance, relying on oxidative metabolism, while Type II fibers (fast-twitch) support power via glycolytic pathways. The size principle means slow fibers are recruited first, then fast as intensity rises, a concept often quizzed in acsm exercise physiologist practice test free. Visualize it as a spectrum shift: "S-O-Fast" (Slow, Oxidative, Fast) to keep recruitment order top of mind.

  4. VO2max Testing Protocols -

    Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) is the gold standard for cardiorespiratory fitness, usually measured via graded exercise tests with gas analysis. Key criteria include a plateau in VO2 (<150 mL·min−1 increase), RER >1.1, and reaching age-predicted HRmax (220−age), which are core in exercise physiology practice quiz prep. Track rates: a typical running ramp increases speed by 1 km·h−1 every minute to push VO2 to its limit.

  5. Lactate Threshold and Ventilatory Markers -

    Lactate threshold marks the intensity where lactate accumulates, often around 50 - 60% VO2max in untrained and 70 - 80% in trained individuals. Remember the "Talk Test" as a simple proxy: if you can't speak comfortably, you're above threshold - an approachable tip for exercise physiology test 1 prep. Detailed plotting of blood lactate versus workload reveals this inflection point, guiding endurance training zones.

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Nutrition & Fitness Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker