ACE Personal Trainer CPT 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which scope of practice EXCEEDS what an ACE-certified personal trainer is qualified to do?
- Teaching proper exercise technique
- Creating a general healthy eating plan based on MyPlate guidelines
- Diagnosing a client's low-back pain as a herniated disc (Correct answer)
- Recommending stretching to improve flexibility
Correct answer: Diagnosing a client's low-back pain as a herniated disc
Diagnosing medical conditions such as herniated discs is outside the personal trainer's scope of practice and requires a licensed medical professional.
Question 2: A client's body fat percentage is measured at 28% and they weigh 180 lb. What is their lean body mass?
- 129.6 lb (Correct answer)
- 50.4 lb
- 151.2 lb
- 28.4 lb
Correct answer: 129.6 lb
Fat mass = 0.28 × 180 = 50.4 lb; Lean body mass = 180 − 50.4 = 129.6 lb.
Question 3: What is the recommended minimum frequency of resistance training per week for general health benefits according to ACSM guidelines cited in ACE materials?
- 1 day per week
- 2 days per week (Correct answer)
- 4 days per week
- 5 days per week
Correct answer: 2 days per week
ACSM recommends resistance training at least 2 days per week for all major muscle groups to achieve general health and fitness benefits.
Question 4: Which communication technique involves restating the client's words in the trainer's own words to confirm understanding?
- Open-ended questioning
- Affirmation
- Reflective listening (paraphrasing) (Correct answer)
- Motivational interviewing rollback
Correct answer: Reflective listening (paraphrasing)
Paraphrasing (reflective listening) involves restating the client's message in different words to verify comprehension and show empathy.
Question 5: During a seated row, which muscle group acts as the PRIMARY mover?
- Pectoralis major and anterior deltoid
- Latissimus dorsi and rhomboids (Correct answer)
- Biceps brachii and brachioradialis
- Posterior deltoid and supraspinatus
Correct answer: Latissimus dorsi and rhomboids
The seated row primarily targets the latissimus dorsi and rhomboids, which perform horizontal shoulder adduction and scapular retraction.
Question 6: A client is in the 'contemplation' stage of the Transtheoretical Model. What is the MOST appropriate trainer strategy?
- Help set specific, measurable short-term exercise goals immediately
- Provide information about the benefits and barriers of exercise without pressuring commitment (Correct answer)
- Focus on relapse prevention techniques
- Congratulate them on maintaining their exercise habit
Correct answer: Provide information about the benefits and barriers of exercise without pressuring commitment
Contemplators are aware of the need to change but ambivalent; the trainer should provide education, explore pros and cons, and avoid pressuring action.
Question 7: What does RPE stand for, and what scale is commonly used in personal training?
- Rate of Perceived Exertion; Borg 6–20 scale (Correct answer)
- Relative Physical Effort; 1–10 scale
- Rated Performance Efficiency; 0–100 scale
- Rate of Physical Endurance; 1–5 scale
Correct answer: Rate of Perceived Exertion; Borg 6–20 scale
RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion) uses the Borg 6–20 scale, where ratings correspond roughly to heart rate when multiplied by 10.
ACE Personal Trainer CPT 5
Which scope of practice EXCEEDS what an ACE-certified personal trainer is qualified to do?