ACSM Safety and Injury Prevention 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client develops sudden dizziness and nausea during a treadmill session. After stopping, the NEXT step is to:
- Restart the treadmill at a lower speed
- Have the client sit or lie down and monitor vital signs (Correct answer)
- Immediately call 911 without further assessment
- Give the client a sports drink and continue exercising
Correct answer: Have the client sit or lie down and monitor vital signs
Having the client sit or lie down prevents a fall and allows for assessment before deciding if emergency services are needed.
Question 2: Which of the following footwear characteristics is MOST important for injury prevention during high-impact aerobic exercise?
- Elevated heel for added range of motion
- Adequate cushioning and lateral support (Correct answer)
- Minimal sole thickness for ground feel
- Tight fit to prevent foot movement
Correct answer: Adequate cushioning and lateral support
Adequate cushioning absorbs impact forces while lateral support reduces the risk of ankle sprains during high-impact activities.
Question 3: Exercise in cold environments primarily increases the risk of which injury if protective measures are not taken?
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Frostbite and hypothermia (Correct answer)
- Heat exhaustion
- Exertional compartment syndrome
Correct answer: Frostbite and hypothermia
Cold exposure without proper insulation can lead to frostbite of extremities and systemic hypothermia.
Question 4: Which of the following describes the RICE protocol used for acute musculoskeletal injuries?
- Resistance, Ice, Compression, Elevation
- Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (Correct answer)
- Rest, Immobilization, Circulation, Exercise
- Resistance, Immobilization, Cooling, Elevation
Correct answer: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation — the standard first-aid approach for acute sprains and strains.
Question 5: An ACSM fitness professional notices a participant using improper form during a deadlift. The BEST response is to:
- Ignore it if the participant is not currently in pain
- Immediately stop the lift and provide corrective feedback (Correct answer)
- Increase the weight to challenge the participant
- Document the behavior and address it at the next session
Correct answer: Immediately stop the lift and provide corrective feedback
Improper lifting technique must be corrected immediately to prevent acute or cumulative injury.
Question 6: At what altitude does altitude sickness typically begin to become a significant concern for exercisers?
- 500 meters (1,640 feet)
- 1,500 meters (4,921 feet)
- 2,500 meters (8,202 feet) (Correct answer)
- 4,000 meters (13,123 feet)
Correct answer: 2,500 meters (8,202 feet)
Altitude sickness becomes a significant concern above approximately 2,500 meters, where oxygen partial pressure decreases substantially.
Question 7: Which factor is MOST likely to increase the risk of exercise-induced muscle cramps?
- Excessive protein intake
- Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance (Correct answer)
- Low-intensity aerobic exercise
- Exercising in a cool, dry environment
Correct answer: Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
Dehydration and electrolyte loss (particularly sodium) are the leading contributors to exercise-induced muscle cramps.
ACSM Safety and Injury Prevention 3
A client develops sudden dizziness and nausea during a treadmill session.
After stopping, the NEXT step is to: