This Passing Grades’ free study material is designed to prepare you mentally for the actual ISSA Exam with the commonly asked questions. What is good about this particular study resource is that it provides answers.
The ISSA Exam is broken down into Six (6) Parts.
Below are the Six (6) Domains of ISSA that are covered in this Passing Grades practice questions study resource for training students.
1. Applied Science (Anatomy, Kinesiology, Physiology)
2. Nutrition
3. Intake and Ongoing Evaluation
4. Program Design and Implementation
5. Exercise Selection, Technique, and Training Instruction
6. Professional Practice and Responsibility
ISSA Exam Study Material
1. What is the prime mover at the hip during a hip hinge?: Erector spinae
2. What term represents the six anatomical locations of predictable movement patterns where movement dysfunctions can be detected?: Kinetic chain check- points
3. When considering exercise order, what should be a priority before complet- ing accessory exercises?: Compound exercises
4. Which energy pathway is dominant when the body is at rest or during low-intensity, long-duration activity?: Anaerobic glycolysis
5. What is the central nervous system (CNS) responsible for?: Receiving sen- sory input and organizing, analyzing, and processing neural information
6. What intensity (percent of 1RM) is most closely associated with the training adaptation of muscle hypertrophy?: Less than 67 percent of 1RM
7. When using email marketing, what is the ideal weekly email frequency for marketing and communicating with clients?: Two to three per week
8. What is the condition of low blood pressure measuring 90/60 mm Hg or less?: Hypotension
9. What is a split routine as it relates to resistance training?: The division of training sessions by body part or body region
10. What postural and movement deviation occurs when the knees excessive- ly bow inward toward the midline?: Knee valgus
11. What is the purpose of a business plan?: o outline how a business will be operated
12. What term is described as the volume of blood the left ventricle pushes out in a single heartbeat?: Stroke volume
13. Which of the following best describes the muscular endurance component of fitness?: The ability of a muscle or group of muscles to continuously exert force against resistance over time
14. Which of the following is a risk factor for developing hypertension?: Having diabetes
15. Which type of muscle is the most common in the human body?: Skeletal muscle
16. Lactic acid has been found to have many functions in the body, including which of the following?: It can promote the metabolism of glucose and glycogen over fats for faster energy production
17. For a skinfold body composition assessment, what sites are used for the three-site body density method for females?: Triceps, suprailiac, thigh
18. What resistance training style is a combination of partial repetitions and isometric holds?: Functional isometrics
19. What additional health and fitness assessment is strongly recommended for a client with type 2 diabetes?: Exercise stress test
20. Which body composition measuring system uses the volume of a con- trolled chamber compared to body volume to determine bodyfat percentage?-
: Body mass index (BMI)
ISSA Personal Trainer Certification Questions
21. What type of email communication reaches out to former clients and older prospects and encourages a reply?: Reengagement email
22. What type of fitness training can affect the hormone erythropoietin (EPO)?-
: Altitude training
23. Which regions of the body are highly susceptible to sprains?: Ankle
24. Which body region should be avoided during myofascial release tech- niques?: Lumbar spine
25. . What type of nonverbal communication are speech components like tone, pitch, facial expressions, and hesitation noises?: Paralanguage
26. How frequently should flexibility training be incorporated in a fitness routine to enhance an individual's flexibility?: A minimum of three days a week
27. Which of the following is a common observation during the squat assess- ment?: Excessive forward lean
28. Which of the following is a risk factor for developing diabetes?: Ethnicity
29. What is the definition of muscular power?: The amount of force exerted by a muscle or group of muscles in a given amount of time
30. What neural function is processed directly by the spinal cord and not the brain?: a reflex
31. . Which of the following is a benefit of static stretching after an exercise session?: Reduces muscle soreness
32. Which of the following is a physiological difference between children and adults?: Children have smaller airways and more soft tissue than adults
33. he adaptation of power generally requires how much rest between sets of exercise?: 1 to 2 minutes
34. Which heart rate zones are generally anaerobic in nature?: Zones 2 and 3
35. Which digestive organ is responsible for the storage of fat-soluble vita- mins and blood filtration and detoxification?: liver
36. What information does the Client Intake Form gather?: Previous exercise experience, nutrition, and health conditions
37. Which strength curve most accurately represents a biceps curl exercise?-
: Bell-shaped strength curve
38. Which stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome is characterized by fatigue, weakness, and soreness?: Exhaustion
39. Which of the following is a statement from the ISSA Code of Ethics for a fitness professional?: Accurately represent their services and what is reasonably expected from a training relationship with clients.
40. What type of warm-up intentionally mimics the movements that will be a part of the workout to follow it?: Dynamic warm-up
41. Which principle of fitness states that a training program must be specific for an individual's goals and desired adaptations?: Principle of specificity
42. Which of the following acute training variable changes will increase train- ing volume?: Adding repetitions during a set
43. . During cardiorespiratory training, how can the acute training variable of rest be manipulated to increase training intensity?: Maintain rest until resting heart rate is achieved
44. Which of the following is a primary risk factor for coronary heart disease?-
: High blood pressure
45. According to the modified Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) chart, what intensity equates to deep and forceful breathing that makes it difficult or uncomfortable to speak during cardiorespiratory exercise?: RPE 10
46. Which division of the peripheral nervous system controls voluntary move- ment like exercise?: Somatic nervous system
47. What is an exercise regression?: Modifications to acute training variables that decrease the challenge of a movement pattern
48. What should a client with an arthritic condition avoid doing before an exercise session?: Taking pain medications
49. Which of the following is considered an incomplete protein?: peas
50. What type of resistance training equipment has a fixed range of motion?-
: Weight machines
51. Which type of neuron sends information from the central nervous system to the muscles to generate movement?: Efferent neuron
52. Which of the following is a category covered in a standard code of ethics?-
: Confidentiality
53. What hormone can the ergogenic aid caffeine help to stimulate?: Epineph- rine
54. What type of motivation is driven by a reward, prize, or recognition?: Ex- trinsic motivation
55. Which of the following measures can be used to determine the intensity of cardiorespiratory exercise?: Talk test
56. How soon after stopping a training program can muscle atrophy occur?: 4 weeks
57. Which of the following is a benefit of small group training?: Decreases client adherence to an exercise program
58. The adaptation of muscular endurance generally requires how much rest between sets of exercise?: 30 to 60 seconds
59. Which of the following emergency situations requires a fitness profession- al to call 911 immediately?: heavy bleeding
60. The Stages of Change are known as what psychological model?: The
Transtheoretical Model (TTM)
61. Which category of nutrients is required in large quantities in the diet to support function and energy production?: Macronutrients
62. On an incident report, which of the following information should be collect- ed?: Site of the incident
63. In the OARS model for behavior change, recapping the plan of action is part of which technique?: Open-ended questions
64. Which acute training variable accounts for the total time a muscle is engaged during a set of exercise?: Tempo
65. Which type of muscle is the primary muscle tissue found in human or- gans?: Smooth muscle
66. According to the CDC, what is the definition of sanitizing?: Cleaning and killing germs on surfaces to bring the microbe level to an acceptable range
67. The PACER test is a fitness assessment used for what special population?-
: Pregnant women
68. Which spinal deviation is characterized by an excessive inward curvature of the lumbar spine and anterior pelvic tilt?: Lordosis
69. Which relatively common chronic health condition is characterized by bronchial spasms that make it difficult to breathe effectively?: Asthma
70. What type of client assessment is the squat or overhead squat assess- ment?: Dynamic movement assessment
71. Muscle cells contain which cellular fluid that is NOT a part of other human cells?: Sarcoplasm
72. . What type of exercise is ideal for a client who is new to strength training and learning new movement patterns?: Bodyweight exercises
73. What type of assessments are based on repeatable, measurable data?: -
Objective assessments
74. What percentage of maximum heart rate is represented in Zone 3 car- diorespiratory intensity?: 71 to 80 percent of maximum heart rate
75. Flexibility, mobility, balance, and core training are all included in which category of training?: Strength training
76. Which element of fitness requires sensory input from the eyes, ears, and proprioceptors?: Balance training
77. Under the scope of practice for a Certified Personal Trainer, which of the following situations can a fitness professional help a client with?: Exercise programming
78. How many sets and repetitions are performed during German volume training?: 10 sets of 10 repetitions
79. The principle of progressive overload states that the body must encounter what type of stress to drive adaptation?: Stress that is greater than what is normally encountered
80. What training intensity is required during the working rounds in high-in- tensity interval training (HIIT)?: 85 percent or more of V02 max
81. What are the primary joints involved in a squat movement pattern?: Hip, knee, ankle
82. Which personal trainer best practice includes staying within the scope
of practice and establishing boundaries with clients?: Maintaining appropriate relationship boundaries
83. During exercise, the average human's breathing rate increases to what range and varies based on exercise intensity?: 50 to 60 breaths per minute
84. Which of the following is an example of a complex carbohydrate?: Whole grain bread
85. In the alveoli of the lungs, air crosses into and out of the capillaries by what process?: Diffusion
86. . What stage of change is someone in if they are sustaining a new, healthy behavior for more than six months?: Maintenance
87. What psychological theory suggests that people are motivated by the need for autonomy, competence, and relatedness?: Self-Determination Theory (SDT)
88. Where in the cell do the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain occur?-
: Mitochondria
89. Which two macronutrients are the most preferred sources of energy in the body?: Carbohydrate and fat
90. During the overhead squat assessment, which of the following muscles may likely be overactive (tight) if the arms fall forward?: Latissimus dorsi
91. When attracting new clients, which of the following is the most effective way for a trainer to find new prospects?: Get referrals from clients
92. What is defined as the amount of force that can be created by a muscle or group of muscles?: power
93. What is the average vital capacity of the lungs in humans?: 4000 to 6000 mL
94. Which proprioceptive organ is targeted during myofascial release tech- niques?: Golgi tendon organ
95. Which of the following is equipment with a constant resistance?: Dumbbell
96. What is the process of breaking triglycerides down into fatty acids to be converted to acetyl-CoA during aerobic metabolism called?: Beta-oxidation
97. What type of resistance exercises mimic the natural movements of the body, such as walking?: Cross-body exercises
98. For the training adaptation of maximum strength, what is the recommend- ed number of repetitions per set?: 1 to 6 repetitions
99. Which type of flexibility is most beneficial when performed during a cooldown or on a rest day?: Static stretching
ISSA Certification Practice Question
100. What muscle fiber arrangement can be seen in the soleus muscle?: Bipen- nate muscle
101. What medical emergency can occur when there is too much insulin in the body?: Insulin shock
102. Which digestive organ has both endocrine and exocrine functions?: Pan- creas
103. What is the ideal height of the step or platform used during the step test assessment?: 24 inch
104. What is the name for glucose that is stored in the body?: Glycogen
105. What are the building blocks of protein?: amino acids
106. What muscle fiber arrangement can be seen in the pectoralis major muscle?: Convergent muscle
107. . What is the definition of muscular endurance?: The amount of force exerted by a muscle or group of muscles in a given amount of time
108. What type of training periodization progresses from low intensity to high intensity across a macrocycle?: Linear periodization
109. Which of the following training repetitions and tempos would have the greatest time under tension (TUT)?: 3 repetitions at 10:0:10:0
110. What type of supplement can improve exercise performance and capaci- ty?: Herbal supplement
111. What type of goal is focused on the end result?: outcome goal
112. Which kinetic chain checkpoint should be observed carefully because it controls the movement of the lower extremities?: the hip
113. Which of the following is included in the axial skeleton?: skull
114. When a trainer is walking the gym floor, what should they be proactively doing or looking for?: Trip hazards and dirty or broken equipment
115. Which macronutrient is the primary source of energy for the body in most cases?: Carbohydrate
116. In which anatomical plane does the internal and external rotation of the shoulder occur?: Transverse plane
117. Which endocrine hormone promotes the uptake of glucose from the blood by target tissues?: insulin
118. In the ATP/CP energy pathway, what molecule lends a phosphate group to ADP to regenerate ATP for future energy needs?: Creatine phosphate (CP)
119. What is the definition of quickness as it relates to the element of reactive training?: The ability to react and change body position with maximum rate of force production
120. For the average adult, what percentage of the diet should be carbohy- drates?: 45 to 65 percent of daily calories
121. In email marketing, what is a relationship email?: An email used to engage with clients and prospects and build rapport
122. What range on the glycemic index (GI) corresponds to a high glycemic impact food?: 70 and above
123. . What type of supplement can elevate heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure?: Stimulant
124. What is the name of the heart valves located between the atria and ventricles that keep blood moving in only one direction?: Mitral valves
125. Type, frequency, time, and rest are examples of what aspect of fitness?-
: Acute training variables
126. What is the term for blood circulation within the heart and lungs?: Pul- monary circulation
127. What is the Karvonen formula used to calculate?: Target heart rate
128. Which of the following is the first step in a balance training progression?-
: Balance pad: two legs
129. The process of glycolysis is the breakdown of what molecule in the body?: Glucose
130. A movement that keeps the distal end of the body segment fixed in one location describes what type of kinetic chain movement?: Closed kinetic chain movement
131. What type of resistance training scheme requires the completion of two exercises back-to-back followed by a short rest?: Supersets
132. During pulmonary circulation, which heart valve does blood pass through first?: Tricuspid valve
133. Which flexibility technique may be assisted by or utilizes a stretching tool like a towel or stretching strap?: Pre-contraction stretching
134. What type of strength is defined as the ability to sustain a submaximal activity for a longer duration of time?: Endurance strength
135. What sales technique encourages a client to purchase additional ser- vices, products, or add-ons at the point of sale?: upselling
136. What type of resistance exercises engage multiple joints and many mus- cle groups throughout the range of motion?: Compound exercises
137. Which of the following exercises offer the most dynamic balance chal- lenge for a client?: Step up to balance on a BOSU
138. . According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which of the follow- ing should be limited in the diet to promote optimal health?: added sugar
139. Which type of muscle fiber derives its energy primarily from aerobic energy pathways?: Type I muscle fibers
140. What calculation estimates the primary macronutrient the body uses for energy at a given point in time?: Catabolic quotient
141. . Which personal trainer best practice includes staying within the scope of practice and establishing boundaries with clients?: Maintaining appropriate relationship boundaries
142. What type of muscular assessment is the bench press test?: Muscular strength assessment
143. A ketogenic diet limits the intake of which macronutrient?: Protein
144. What is the daily fat intake recommendation for the average adult?: 20 to
30 percent of daily calories
145. . Approximately what portion of the body's total water is intracellular?: 2/3 of the body's total water
146. The calcaneus is an example of what type of bone?: Short bone
147. . What class of hormones is released by the adrenal glands during times of stress?: Catecholamines
148. What type of goal is based on measurable and quantifiable data?: Objec- tive goal
149. According to the American Heart Association, what is considered a 'nor- mal' blood pressure?: 120/80 mm Hg
150. What is the daily fiber intake recommendation for the average male?: 38 grams per day
151. Which endocrine hormone promotes the release of glucose from the liver and into the bloodstream?: Glucagon
152. . According to the CDC, what is the definition of cleaning?: Removing dirt and impurities from a surface with a detergent and water
153. Pain and stiffness, fatigue, anxiety, depression, headaches, and memory problems are possible symptoms for which arthritis-related chronic health condition?: Fibromyalgia
154. Which of the following is a common fitness assessment used for senior fitness clients?: 30-second chair stand
155. . According to the American Heart Association, what is considered a
'normal' blood pressure?: 120/80 mm Hg
156. Which of the following is a primary function of the cardiorespiratory system during exercise?: Reduction of blood volume
157. SMART goal intentions, monitoring, and feedback are all part of what process?: Stages of Change
158. Which glands of the endocrine system produce and release substances through ducts or openings on the body's surfaces?: Exocrine glands
159. At what average age does flexibility start to diminish for most people?: 45 years of age
160. What type of repetitions are completed with an intentionally reduced range of motion?: Partial repetitions
161. Which type of bone protects internal organs and provides a large surface area for muscles to attach?: flat bone
162. Which amino acid is the most abundant in the body?: Glutamine
163. What term is described as the greatest volume of air that can be expelled from the lungs after taking the deepest breath possible?: Vital capacity
164. Which energy pathway produces the greatest amount of ATP?: Oxidative energy pathway
165. Which estimated maximum heart rate formula is used for clients with high blood pressure?: 162 - (0.7 x age)
166. . Which spinal deviation is characterized by the sideways curvature of the spine?: Scoliosis
167. Which branch of the nervous system is responsible for "fight-or-flight"?-
: Sympathetic nervous system
168. Which of the following is an effect of short-term cortisol elevation in the body?: Increases blood pressure
169. What type of reactive exercises involve the repeated maximum stretching and contracting of muscles in the shortest amount of time?: Plyometric training
170. What type of nonverbal communication involves gestures and body movements?: Body language
171. Which condition related to diabetes is described as elevated blood glu- cose, but not within the range for a diabetes diagnosis?: Type 2 diabetes
172. What type of diabetes only affects pregnant women?: Gestational diabetes
173. What does the "S" in SMART goals stand for?: specific
174. What is the primary goal of Motivational Interviewing?: To help someone understand the triggers that lead to unhealthy and undesirable behavior
175. Which client form allows clients to understand and accept any and all risks associated with beginning an exercise program?: Liability waiver
176. As it relates to the GAS Principle, what is the post-training period when the trained function has a higher performance capacity than prior to the training period?: Supercompensation
177. Which type of lipoprotein is known as the 'bad' lipoprotein?: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
178. Which body composition measurement utilizes calipers?: Skinfold mea- surements
179. What is considered a normal body mass index (BMI)?: 18.5 to 24.9
180. . Which of the following is a common site to measure the pulse in hu- mans?: Radial artery
181. Which classification of neurons communicates tactile, auditory, and visu- al information?: Sensory neurons
182. What stage of change is someone in if they are sustaining a new, healthy behavior for more than six months?: Maintenance
183. During resistance training, what is the recommended repetition range for the training goal of hypertrophy?: 6 to 12 repetitions
184. Which style of personal training pairs two clients together during a work- out?: Buddy training
185. What is the average bodyfat percentage for females?: 25 to 31 percent
186. What is the definition of hypertrophy?: an increase in muscle fiber size
187. Which of the following is a symptom of a heart attack?: Shortness of breath
188. Which organ is the largest lymphatic organ in the body?: The spleen
189. Which advanced training technique is described as completing one set of an exercise until failure before immediately lowering the weight and contin- uing the set until failure again?: Drop sets
190. Which type of blood cells make up approximately 40 percent of blood volume?: Red blood cells
191. Which heart structure is known as the pacemaker of the heart and initi- ates contraction of the right atrium?: Sinoatrial (SA) node
192. According to the size principle of motor recruitment, in what order will muscle fibers be recruited during activity?: Smallest and slowest firing rate to largest and fastest firing rate
193. Which molecule is the "energy currency" of the cell?: Adenosine triphos- phate (ATP)
194. Which psychological need in the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) is de- scribed as the basic need to feel effective and capable in one's actions?: Au- tonomy
195. What is the primary muscle involved in pulmonary ventilation?: Di- aphragm
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