ACSM-CPT Special Populations — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What exercise modifications should a CPT implement for a client with controlled hypertension?
- Avoid heavy isometric exercises and Valsalva maneuver; focus on moderate aerobic exercise (Correct answer)
- Recommend only high-intensity interval training
- No modifications are needed for controlled hypertension
- Eliminate all forms of resistance training
Correct answer: Avoid heavy isometric exercises and Valsalva maneuver; focus on moderate aerobic exercise
For clients with controlled hypertension, CPTs should emphasize moderate aerobic exercise, use lighter loads with higher repetitions for resistance training, avoid sustained isometric exercises and the Valsalva maneuver, and ensure proper breathing.
Question 2: What are the ACSM exercise guidelines for older adults (65+)?
- 150-300 min/week moderate aerobic activity, plus balance and resistance training 2-3 days/week (Correct answer)
- Only light stretching 3 times per week
- Vigorous exercise for 60 minutes daily
- No resistance training after age 65
Correct answer: 150-300 min/week moderate aerobic activity, plus balance and resistance training 2-3 days/week
ACSM recommends older adults perform 150-300 minutes per week of moderate aerobic activity, muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days per week, and balance training to reduce fall risk.
Question 3: What precautions should be taken when training a client with type 2 diabetes?
- Monitor blood glucose before, during, and after exercise; have fast-acting carbohydrates available (Correct answer)
- Exercise should only occur when blood glucose is above 300 mg/dL
- Diabetic clients should never perform resistance training
- No precautions beyond normal are needed
Correct answer: Monitor blood glucose before, during, and after exercise; have fast-acting carbohydrates available
For type 2 diabetic clients, blood glucose should be monitored to prevent hypoglycemia, exercise should be avoided if glucose is above 300 mg/dL or below 100 mg/dL without a snack, and fast-acting carbohydrates should be readily available.
Question 4: What is the recommended approach for prenatal exercise for healthy pregnant women?
- 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, avoiding supine positions after first trimester (Correct answer)
- Complete bed rest during pregnancy
- Only water-based exercises are safe during pregnancy
- Exercise intensity should increase each trimester
Correct answer: 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, avoiding supine positions after first trimester
ACOG and ACSM recommend healthy pregnant women perform at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week, avoiding supine positions after the first trimester, contact sports, and activities with fall risk.
Question 5: What special considerations apply when training a client with osteoporosis?
- Include weight-bearing and resistance exercises while avoiding excessive spinal flexion and high-impact activities (Correct answer)
- Only perform seated exercises
- Focus exclusively on cardiovascular training
- Avoid all resistance training to prevent fractures
Correct answer: Include weight-bearing and resistance exercises while avoiding excessive spinal flexion and high-impact activities
Clients with osteoporosis benefit from weight-bearing exercises and resistance training to stimulate bone formation, but should avoid excessive spinal flexion, twisting under load, and high-impact activities that increase fracture risk.
Question 6: How should exercise programs be modified for clients with asthma?
- Include an extended warm-up, monitor symptoms, and have rescue inhaler accessible (Correct answer)
- Avoid all exercise to prevent attacks
- Only perform high-intensity sprints
- Exercise exclusively in cold, dry environments
Correct answer: Include an extended warm-up, monitor symptoms, and have rescue inhaler accessible
Clients with asthma should have a gradual, extended warm-up (10-15 minutes), keep rescue medication accessible, exercise in warm humid environments when possible, and avoid known triggers while monitoring for symptoms.
ACSM-CPT Special Populations
What exercise modifications should a CPT implement for a client with controlled hypertension?