Free Practice Questions for NASM CPT Exam

A scaption is a shoulder exercise where the arms are raised in the scapular plane, which is approximately 45 degrees between the frontal and sagittal planes. The NASM CPT7 Study Guide explains that this position aligns the glenohumeral joint and reduces impingement risk.

Lifting directly in front of the shoulders (Option B) is a front raise, and lifting directly out to the sides (Option D) is a lateral raise. A 25-degree angle (Option C) is too narrow to be in the optimal scapular plane. Therefore, the proper cue for a single-leg scaption is to lift at a 45-degree angle.

NASM requires certified personal trainers to complete 2.0 continuing education units (CEUs) every two years to maintain certification. This must include at least 1.9 CEUs from continuing education activities and 0.1 CEU from renewing CPR/AED certification. The Study Guide’s professional development section stresses that “continuing education courses are not just necessary for recertification; they can teach fitness professionals how to work with niche populations and enable business growth.” Retaking the exam, attending conferences, or publishing research are optional career development activities but not mandatory for certification renewal. Meeting the CEU requirement ensures trainers stay current with best practices and maintain professional competency.

Proper spotting involves clear communication before the lift to ensure both the client and trainer understand the expectations. The NASM CPT7 Study Guide advises that the trainer and client should agree on the number of reps and the level of assistance before starting any exercise.

For a dumbbell chest press, spotters should assist at the wrists, not the elbows, to better control the weights’ path if the client struggles. Providing most of the effort for the client (Option B) removes the training benefit and could be unsafe. Spotting at the elbows (Option C) offers poor control, and refraining from spotting until after the sticking point (Option D) can allow the client to get trapped in a dangerous position. Therefore, the first step is confirming reps and spotting plan before lifting.

The NASM CPT7 Study Guide explains that the ATP-PC system (adenosine triphosphate–phosphocreatine) is the primary energy pathway for very short-duration, high-intensity activities lasting up to about 10 seconds. This system is anaerobic, meaning it does not require oxygen, and it relies on stored ATP and creatine phosphate within the muscles to provide immediate energy. A 40-yard dash is a sprint that typically takes well under 10 seconds for an athlete, placing it squarely in the ATP-PC domain. The guide highlights that this system is ideal for explosive efforts like sprinting, jumping, or heavy lifting due to its rapid ATP replenishment but very limited capacity.

When a client shrugs their shoulders during a cable press, NASM’s movement assessment principles indicate overactivity of the upper trapezius and scalenes—secondary muscles of respiration and neck movement. The guide points out in the respiratory system section that “abnormal breathing patterns… are associated with the use of secondary respiratory muscles (sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, or scalenes).” Overactivity in these muscles during upper body pushing movements reflects compensations, often due to weakness or under-recruitment of the prime movers (pectorals, deltoids, triceps) or stabilizers. Static stretching is recommended for overactive muscles to restore normal length-tension relationships. The “static upper trapezius/scalene stretch” directly addresses the tightness and helps improve overhead or forward pressing mechanics by reducing unwanted scapular elevation. Other stretches listed in the options (soleus, erector spinae, latissimus dorsi) target entirely different regions—lower leg, lower back, or lateral back muscles—and would not address the observed compensation. This correction aligns with NASM’s flexibility continuum: inhibit (SMR) → lengthen (static stretch) → activate (strengthen underactive muscles) → integrate (dynamic movements), restoring balanced shoulder mechanics.

In NASM’s Human Movement Science section, dynamic flexibility distortion patterns are described as abnormal joint motion or posture during movement that can place undue stress on the kinetic chain. The frontal plane movements of the foot and ankle include eversion and inversion. NASM emphasizes that altered motion at the foot—such as excessive eversion—can disrupt alignment up the kinetic chain, impacting the knee, hip, and even shoulder positioning. The Study Guide notes that “the frontal plane… movements… include abduction and adduction of the limbs, lateral flexion of the spine, and eversion and inversion at the foot and ankle complex.” Excessive or poorly controlled eversion creates misalignment, leading to compensations such as knee valgus or excessive internal rotation of the femur. This, in turn, changes forces experienced by the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex (LPHC) and upper body. Such compensatory movement patterns are directly linked to increased injury risk, especially in the knee and lower back, and are common in overuse injuries. In contrast, “neutrality” of the LPHC or scapulae indicates correct posture, and proper patella tracking is a positive alignment characteristic—not a distortion. Therefore, eversion of the foot fits NASM’s definition of a dynamic flexibility distortion pattern that “creates abnormal stress throughout the kinetic chain” by disrupting the optimal length-tension and joint alignment necessary for efficient movement.