ACSM CPT flashcards
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32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- PAR-Q+
- A self-report screening questionnaire that identifies people who may need medical evaluation before starting or increasing physical activity.
- Maximal heart rate estimate
- A common estimate is 220 minus age; the Tanaka equation is 208 minus 0.7 times age, with individual variation.
- Body mass index
- BMI equals weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared; it screens weight status but does not directly measure body fat.
- Waist circumference risk
- Increased cardiometabolic risk is indicated by waist circumference greater than 102 centimeters in men and greater than 88 centimeters in women.
- Blood pressure categories
- Normal is below 120/80 mm Hg; elevated is 120–129/<80; stage 1 is 130–139 or 80–89; stage 2 is at least 140 or 90.
- Informed consent
- A process that explains assessment or exercise purpose, risks, benefits, alternatives, and the client’s right to withdraw before voluntary permission is documented.
- Heart rate reserve
- HRR equals estimated maximal heart rate minus resting heart rate; it is used in the Karvonen formula to set target exercise heart rates.
- Submaximal fitness test
- A test that estimates cardiorespiratory fitness from heart-rate response to a standardized workload without requiring the client to reach maximal effort.
- FITT-VP
- An exercise prescription framework: Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type, Volume, and Progression. It organizes aerobic, resistance, and flexibility recommendations into a complete program.
- Aerobic exercise guideline
- ACSM recommends 150–300 minutes per week of moderate-intensity or 75–150 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise, or an equivalent combination.
- Resistance training guideline
- Train major muscle groups at least two days per week; novice-to-intermediate clients commonly perform two to four sets of eight to twelve repetitions at 60–70% 1RM.
- Static stretching guideline
- Perform static flexibility training two to three days per week, holding each stretch 10–30 seconds for two to four repetitions and about 60 seconds total per muscle group.
- MET
- One metabolic equivalent is 3.5 milliliters of oxygen per kilogram per minute, approximately resting energy expenditure; MET values express exercise intensity relative to rest.
- Karvonen formula
- Target heart rate equals heart-rate reserve times desired intensity plus resting heart rate; heart-rate reserve is maximal heart rate minus resting heart rate.
- Overload principle
- Training adaptations occur when the exercise stimulus exceeds current capacity; loads must increase over time while allowing adequate recovery.
- Specificity principle
- Physiological adaptations are specific to the muscles, movement patterns, energy systems, and intensity used in training.
- Active listening
- A communication skill using open-ended questions, paraphrasing, and reflective statements to confirm understanding and show attention to the client.
- SMART goals
- Goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound; this format improves clarity and follow-through in exercise programs.
- Transtheoretical model
- A behavior-change model with precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance stages; coaching strategies are matched to the client’s current stage.
- Self-determination theory
- A motivation theory stating that autonomy, competence, and relatedness support intrinsic motivation and sustained exercise behavior.
- Borg RPE scale
- A 6–20 perceived-exertion scale where 13 is somewhat hard, 15 is hard, and 17 is very hard; it helps monitor exercise intensity without heart rate.
- Motor skill teaching
- A sequence of explaining the skill, demonstrating it, having the client practice, observing performance, and giving specific corrective feedback.
- Adherence supports
- Strategies such as self-monitoring, goal setting, social support, scheduling, and positive reinforcement that help clients maintain regular exercise participation.
- Client education topics
- Instruction should cover exercise benefits, risks, proper technique, expected soreness, and warning signs that require stopping exercise and seeking medical care.
- Scope of practice
- The legally defined limits of a personal trainer’s role: screening, assessment, and exercise programming, but not diagnosis, treatment, or medical nutrition therapy.
- Negligence elements
- A claim requires a duty of care, a breach of that duty, causation linking the breach to injury, and actual damages.
- Informed consent document
- A signed form documenting that the client received information about purpose, risks, benefits, alternatives, and the right to withdraw before participation.
- Confidentiality
- The professional obligation to protect client health information and disclose it only with written consent or when required by law.
- Professional liability insurance
- Coverage that can protect a trainer against claims of negligence or injury arising from professional services, subject to policy terms and exclusions.
- Emergency action plan
- A written protocol identifying emergency responders, EMS access, AED location, trained staff roles, and evacuation routes for facility emergencies.
- Truthful marketing
- Advertising must avoid false or guaranteed outcome claims; testimonials and results should be represented accurately and within the trainer’s scope of practice.
- Risk management
- A facility and trainer process using equipment inspection, maintenance logs, supervision, rules, and documentation to reduce injury and liability risk.