NASM Cardiorespiratory Training 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which physiological adaptation is a primary benefit of consistent aerobic cardiorespiratory training?
- Increased stroke volume and cardiac output (Correct answer)
- Decreased mitochondrial density
- Reduced capillary density in muscles
- Increased resting heart rate over time
Correct answer: Increased stroke volume and cardiac output
Regular aerobic training increases stroke volume (blood pumped per beat) and overall cardiac output, improving cardiovascular efficiency at all intensities.
Question 2: In NASM's Stage 2 cardiorespiratory training, the client alternates between which two heart rate zones?
- Zone 1 and Zone 2 (Correct answer)
- Zone 2 and Zone 3
- Zone 1 and Zone 3
- Zone 2 and Zone 4
Correct answer: Zone 1 and Zone 2
Stage 2 uses interval training alternating between Zone 1 (recovery) and Zone 2 (moderate intensity) to progress aerobic capacity beyond Stage 1.
Question 3: Which term describes the exercise intensity at which the body begins to rely more heavily on anaerobic energy systems?
- Ventilatory threshold (Correct answer)
- Aerobic threshold
- Steady-state threshold
- Glycolytic baseline
Correct answer: Ventilatory threshold
The ventilatory (lactate) threshold is the exercise intensity where lactate accumulates faster than it can be cleared, signaling the shift toward anaerobic metabolism.
Question 4: NASM recommends that apparently healthy adults accumulate at least how many minutes of moderate-intensity cardiorespiratory exercise per week?
- 150 minutes (Correct answer)
- 60 minutes
- 90 minutes
- 200 minutes
Correct answer: 150 minutes
ACSM and NASM align with federal guidelines recommending at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly for health maintenance.
Question 5: The Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale most commonly used in NASM programming ranges from:
- 1 to 10 (Correct answer)
- 6 to 20
- 0 to 100
- 1 to 5
Correct answer: 1 to 10
NASM uses the 1–10 RPE scale where 1 represents minimal exertion and 10 represents maximal effort, providing a simple subjective intensity monitoring tool.
Question 6: Which energy system is primarily utilized during steady-state cardiorespiratory exercise lasting more than 2 minutes?
- Oxidative (aerobic) system (Correct answer)
- Phosphagen (ATP-PC) system
- Glycolytic (anaerobic) system
- Creatine phosphate system
Correct answer: Oxidative (aerobic) system
The oxidative system dominates prolonged, lower-intensity activities by using oxygen to produce ATP from carbohydrates and fats efficiently.
NASM Cardiorespiratory Training 2
Which physiological adaptation is a primary benefit of consistent aerobic cardiorespiratory training?