Exercise Modifications & Progressions Flashcards
7 cards from real CAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Exercise Modifications & Progressions flashcards as text
A participant with exercise-induced asthma joins an aerobics class. The MOST important modification is:
Answer: Ensure a proper extended warm-up, avoid cold/dry environments, and confirm rescue inhaler is accessible
An extended warm-up reduces bronchospasm risk, environmental control minimizes triggers, and inhaler access ensures emergency readiness for exercise-induced asthma.
Which modification makes a step aerobics routine LESS intense for a deconditioned participant?
Answer: Perform the footwork on the floor beside the step instead of on top
Performing patterns on the floor eliminates the elevation change and reduces lower-body workload, making step aerobics accessible to deconditioned participants.
A participant experiences lower back pain during high-kick aerobics moves. The BEST corrective modification is:
Answer: Reduce kick height, engage core, and ensure anterior pelvic tilt is not exaggerated
Reducing kick height and cueing core engagement prevents lumbar hyperextension, which is the primary cause of back pain during high kicks.
When using the RPE (Rating of Perceived Exertion) scale for progression, moderate aerobic intensity corresponds to approximately:
Answer: RPE 12-14 (somewhat hard)
RPE 12–14 ('somewhat hard') corresponds to moderate aerobic intensity, roughly 60–75% of HRmax on the Borg 6–20 scale.
A participant wants to add strength training to their aerobics routine. The safest progression is:
Answer: Introduce light resistance (bands or bodyweight) concurrent with aerobics, progressing loads gradually
Light resistance integrated progressively with aerobics builds strength safely without overloading a cardiovascular-adapted participant's musculoskeletal system.
The PRIMARY purpose of a cool-down after an aerobics class is:
Answer: To gradually reduce heart rate and prevent blood pooling in the lower extremities
The cool-down allows cardiac output to decrease gradually and promotes venous return, preventing post-exercise hypotension and blood pooling.
Which progression is appropriate for transitioning a class from steady-state aerobics to interval training?
Answer: Begin with long moderate-intensity intervals (e.g., 3:1 work-to-rest) and progressively shorten rest and increase intensity
Starting with longer work intervals and generous rest ratios allows physiological adaptation before increasing the metabolic demand of intervals.