NFPT CPT study materials
NFPT CPT study resources

NFPT CPT cheat sheet

NFPT CPT · Keep the key ideas within reach.

Quick reference

Anatomy and Physiology

  • Skeletal muscle layers from outer to inner: epimysium, perimysium, endomysium; these surround the whole muscle, fascicles, and individual muscle fibers.

  • Sarcomere is the functional contractile unit; during sliding-filament contraction the I band and H zone shorten while the A band length stays constant.

  • Type I fibers are slow oxidative with high fatigue resistance; Type IIa are fast oxidative-glycolytic; Type IIx are fast glycolytic with high force and low endurance.

  • Cardiac conduction: SA node initiates impulse, AV node delays it, then bundle branches and Purkinje fibers activate ventricles.

  • Cardiac output equals heart rate multiplied by stroke volume; average resting cardiac output is about 5 L/min.

  • Osteoblasts form bone, osteoclasts resorb bone, and Wolff's law states bone adapts to the loads placed on it.

  • A motor unit consists of one alpha motor neuron and the muscle fibers it innervates; recruitment generally follows the size principle.

  • Inspiration at rest uses the diaphragm and external intercostals; expiration at rest is largely passive.

  • Synovial joints are freely movable, cartilaginous joints are slightly movable, and fibrous joints are immovable.

Quick reference

Kinesiology and Biomechanics

  • Lever classes: first class has fulcrum between effort and load; second class has load between fulcrum and effort; third class has effort between fulcrum and load.

  • Most human limbs act as third-class levers, which favor speed and range of motion over mechanical force advantage.

  • Torque equals force multiplied by the perpendicular moment arm distance from the axis of rotation.

  • Sagittal plane motion includes flexion and extension; frontal plane includes abduction and adduction; transverse plane includes rotation.

  • Concentric action shortens muscle, eccentric action lengthens under tension, and isometric action produces tension without joint movement.

  • The force-velocity relationship: concentric force capacity decreases as shortening velocity increases, while eccentric actions can produce greater force.

  • The length-tension relationship: active tension is greatest at an optimal sarcomere length with maximal actin-myosin overlap.

  • A muscle's moment arm changes with joint angle, so maximal torque for a given force often occurs near 90 degrees at many joints.

  • Agonist is the prime mover, antagonist opposes the movement, and synergist assists or stabilizes the movement.

Quick reference

Exercise Physiology

  • ATP-PC system supplies immediate energy for about 0-10 seconds of high-intensity effort.

  • Anaerobic glycolysis predominates for high-intensity efforts lasting roughly 10 seconds to 2 minutes.

  • Oxidative phosphorylation is the main energy source for sustained efforts beyond about 2 minutes.

  • VO2max equals cardiac output multiplied by the arterial-venous oxygen difference.

  • Estimated maximal heart rate commonly uses 220 minus age, with individual variation of about plus or minus 10 to 12 beats per minute.

  • EPOC is excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, the oxygen uptake above resting that remains elevated after exercise.

  • Lactate threshold is the intensity where blood lactate rises faster than clearance, and it is associated with endurance performance.

  • Heat dissipation during exercise relies mainly on evaporation of sweat; heat acclimation increases plasma volume and sweating capacity.

  • Systolic blood pressure rises during resistance exercise while diastolic pressure changes relatively little.

Quick reference

Nutrition and Weight Management

  • Energy balance: weight is stable when calories consumed equal calories expended; a surplus favors gain and a deficit favors loss.

  • Macronutrient energy: carbohydrate 4 kcal/g, protein 4 kcal/g, fat 9 kcal/g, alcohol 7 kcal/g.

  • A commonly used approximation is that 3,500 kcal equals about 1 pound of body fat.

  • Protein RDA for healthy adults is 0.8 g/kg/day; athletic needs often range from 1.2 to 2.0 g/kg/day depending on sport and goals.

  • Carbohydrate intake for athletes commonly ranges from 3 to 5 g/kg/day for light training to 8 to 12 g/kg/day for heavy endurance training.

  • Dietary fat generally provides 20-35% of total calories, and essential fatty acids must come from the diet.

  • Body mass loss of about 2% from dehydration can impair exercise performance; rehydration replaces roughly 1.5 L per kilogram of body mass lost.

  • Fiber intake recommendations are about 25-38 g/day for adults depending on age and sex.

  • BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared.

Quick reference

Fitness Assessment and Testing

  • PAR-Q+ is a pre-participation screening tool; a positive response may require medical clearance before exercise.

  • Heart rate reserve method: target HR = ((HRmax - HRrest) x intensity) + HRrest.

  • BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)^2; waist circumference risk thresholds are commonly >102 cm in men and >88 cm in women.

  • Normal blood pressure is <120/<80 mmHg; hypertension is generally >=130/80 mmHg.

  • 1RM is the maximum load lifted once with good form; submaximal repetitions can estimate 1RM using prediction equations.

  • Common aerobic tests include the 1.5-mile run, Rockport walk, YMCA cycle test, and step tests.

  • Test order generally proceeds from health screening and resting measures to body composition, flexibility, muscular fitness, and aerobic capacity.

  • Validity is accuracy of measurement; reliability is consistency or repeatability of measurement.

  • Hydrostatic weighing and skinfold measurements estimate body density and body fat percentage.

Quick reference

Program Design

  • FITT-VP stands for frequency, intensity, time, type, volume, and progression.

  • Aerobic guideline: at least 150 minutes/week of moderate activity, 75 minutes/week of vigorous activity, or an equivalent combination.

  • Resistance training guideline: at least 2 days/week covering major muscle groups, often 8-10 exercises.

  • Resistance intensity: about 60-70% 1RM for novices, 70-85% for hypertrophy, and >85% for maximal strength.

  • Repetition ranges: roughly 12-20+ for muscular endurance, 8-12 for hypertrophy, and 1-6 for maximal strength.

  • Training principles include progressive overload, specificity, reversibility, individualization, and variation.

  • Warm-up generally lasts 5-10 minutes; cool-down includes gradual reduction in intensity and flexibility work.

  • Periodization organizes training into macrocycles, mesocycles, and microcycles with planned changes in volume and intensity.

  • Static flexibility prescription commonly uses 2-4 repetitions of 15-60 second stretches, 2-3 days/week.

Quick reference

Special Populations

  • Pregnancy: after the first trimester, prolonged supine exercise can compress the inferior vena cava; Valsalva should be avoided.

  • Older adults benefit from balance training and resistance training at least 2 days/week with moderate intensity.

  • Youth resistance training should emphasize technique and supervision; maximal single-repetition lifts are not recommended.

  • Hypertension: avoid heavy resistance training with breath holding and emphasize moderate aerobic activity.

  • Diabetes: monitor glucose, carry fast-acting carbohydrate, perform foot checks, and avoid exercise with severe hypo- or hyperglycemia.

  • Obesity: low-impact activities reduce joint stress, and duration can be progressed before high intensity.

  • Osteoporosis: weight-bearing and resistance exercise support bone; avoid loaded spinal flexion and twisting.

  • Asthma: a thorough warm-up and availability of a prescribed inhaler reduce exercise-induced bronchoconstriction risk.

  • Cardiac rehabilitation clients require physician clearance and monitoring of symptoms and RPE.

Quick reference

Safety, Injury Prevention, and Emergency Procedures

  • RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation for acute soft-tissue injury.

  • Emergency action plan elements include activating EMS, CPR, AED use, and directing bystanders.

  • AED sequence: turn on, attach pads, follow prompts, and shock only if advised.

  • Adult CPR: 30 compressions to 2 breaths, rate 100-120/min, depth about 5-6 cm.

  • Stop exercise and seek emergency care for chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, or sudden dizziness.

  • Equipment safety includes inspecting cables, collars, and benches, and securing weight plates.

  • Spotting free-weight exercises and using safety collars reduce injury risk.

  • Heat stroke is a medical emergency with altered mental status and high body temperature; rapid cooling is needed.

  • Universal precautions apply to blood and body fluids; gloves and proper disposal reduce bloodborne pathogen exposure.

Quick reference

Professional Practice and Business Skills

  • Scope of practice defines the trainer's legal boundaries; medical, dietary, and rehabilitation issues are referred to licensed professionals.

  • Informed consent documents voluntary participation after risks, benefits, and alternatives are explained.

  • Confidentiality and secure record storage protect client privacy.

  • SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

  • Profit equals revenue minus expenses; break-even is the revenue level where total revenue equals total expenses.

  • Pricing can use per-session rates, packages, and contracts, with consideration of overhead and market rates.

  • Professional liability insurance covers claims arising from services provided within scope.

  • Continuing education units are required to renew many fitness certifications.

  • Professional boundaries include avoiding dual relationships and maintaining appropriate client communication.