NASM-CPT Cardiorespiratory Training 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to NASM, Stage 1 of cardiorespiratory training is characterized by:
- High-intensity interval training
- Moderate-intensity intervals above ventilatory threshold 2
- Low-to-moderate steady-state cardio at or below VT1 (Correct answer)
- Fasted cardio training
Correct answer: Low-to-moderate steady-state cardio at or below VT1
NASM Stage 1 cardiorespiratory training uses steady-state exercise at an intensity at or below the first ventilatory threshold (VT1) to build aerobic base.
Question 2: The Karvonen formula is used to calculate:
- Body fat percentage
- One-rep maximum
- Target heart rate reserve zone (Correct answer)
- Resting metabolic rate
Correct answer: Target heart rate reserve zone
The Karvonen (heart rate reserve) formula calculates target heart rate by factoring in both resting and maximum heart rate to set training intensity zones.
Question 3: VO2 max is best defined as:
- The maximum number of repetitions performed at a given load
- The maximum volume of oxygen the body can consume per minute during maximal exercise (Correct answer)
- The resting oxygen saturation level
- The oxygen cost of a single stride
Correct answer: The maximum volume of oxygen the body can consume per minute during maximal exercise
VO2 max (maximal oxygen uptake) is the highest rate at which the body can consume oxygen during exhaustive aerobic exercise, measured in mL/kg/min.
Question 4: Which of the following BEST describes the 'talk test' as a method to gauge exercise intensity?
- If the client can sing, intensity is too high
- If the client cannot speak at all, they are at or below VT1
- If the client can speak comfortably, they are likely below VT1 (Correct answer)
- The talk test is not a valid intensity measure per NASM
Correct answer: If the client can speak comfortably, they are likely below VT1
The ability to speak comfortably without gasping correlates with exercise intensity below the first ventilatory threshold, indicating aerobic steady-state effort.
Question 5: Which cardiorespiratory training stage uses intervals that take clients above VT2?
- Stage 1
- Stage 2
- Stage 3 (Correct answer)
- Stage 4
Correct answer: Stage 3
NASM Stage 3 cardiorespiratory training incorporates high-intensity intervals that exceed VT2, improving anaerobic capacity and peak performance.
Question 6: The primary benefit of low-intensity steady-state (LISS) cardio for deconditioned clients is:
- Maximal EPOC effect
- High caloric burn in minimal time
- Safe aerobic base development with low injury risk (Correct answer)
- Rapid VO2 max improvement
Correct answer: Safe aerobic base development with low injury risk
LISS cardio provides a sustainable stimulus for improving aerobic efficiency and cardiovascular health in deconditioned clients without overtaxing recovery systems.
NASM-CPT Cardiorespiratory Training 1
According to NASM, Stage 1 of cardiorespiratory training is characterized by: