ACSM-RCEP case studies
ACSM-RCEP · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist (RCEP) is a clinical certification offered within the American College of Sports Medicine's certification program, listed alongside ACSM's other credentials such as the Group Exercise Instructor, Personal Trainer, and Exercise Physiologist certifications. It is designed for exercise professionals who work with clinical populations, applying exercise physiology knowledge in healthcare and rehabilitation-adjacent settings. The ACSM-RCEP case studies are 5 cases and about 2,409 words.
1Pre-exercise Screening in a Type 2 Diabetes Client with Silent Ischemia Risk
A 58-year-old man with type 2 diabetes (diagnosed 9 years ago, HbA1c 8.4%), hypertension, and a 20-pack-year smoking history presents to your outpatient clinical exercise program wanting to start moderate-intensity walking. He reports no chest pain, no dyspnea, and walks 15 minutes most days.
458 words, about 2 min2Interpreting an Abnormal Exercise Test in a Client with Claudication
A 66-year-old woman with peripheral artery disease (ankle-brachial index 0.62 on the left) is undergoing a graded treadmill test in your program. At stage 2 (3.0 mph, 5% grade, ~4 METs) she reports left calf cramping at an RPE of 13 and stops.
451 words, about 2 min3Hypertension and Exercise: When to Hold a Session
A 61-year-old man in your phase 3 maintenance class arrives for his session. His resting BP measured twice after 5 minutes of seated rest is 176/104 mmHg.
456 words, about 2 min4Building Adherence in a Cardiac Rehab Participant Who Is 'Too Busy'
A 54-year-old woman enrolled in phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation after a myocardial infarction 6 weeks ago. She has attended 4 of 12 scheduled sessions over 5 weeks, always canceling with 'work is crazy.' She is a single parent of two teenagers and works as a hospital shift nurse.
466 words, about 2 min5Emergency Preparedness and Scope of Practice During a Class
You are leading a phase 3 maintenance exercise class of 14 participants in a community fitness room. Midway through, a 69-year-old man with known coronary disease stops pedaling, looks pale and sweaty, and says he feels 'pressure' in his chest.
578 words, about 3 min