Exercise Physiologist Exam Study Guide

Video Overview

• The purpose of these videos is to serve as a study resource for the ACSM Exercise Physiologist exam.
• Content is derived from the "CSS Resources for Exercise Physiologists" book.
• It's advised to follow along with the book while watching the videos.

Chapter 1: Physical Activity, Exercise, and Physical Fitness

Definitions

• Physical Activity: Any body movement by skeletal muscles that increases energy expenditure. Can be static, dynamic, aerobic, anaerobic, and contextually based.
  • Types: Leisure time, occupational, household chores, transportation.
• Exercise: Planned, structured, repetitive, and purposeful activity aiming to improve or maintain fitness.
• Physical Fitness: Attributes related to the ability to perform physical activity.
  • Categories: Performance-related, health-related, skill-related.

Performance-Related Fitness

• Cardiorespiratory endurance
• Muscle strength and endurance
• Power, flexibility, agility
• Balance, reaction time, body composition

Health-Related Fitness

• Cardiorespiratory fitness
• Muscular endurance and strength
• Flexibility and body composition

Skill-Related Fitness

• Agility, balance, coordination, power
• Reaction time, speed

Risk Factors

• Sudden Cardiac Death: Common in children/adolescents due to hereditary issues, increases with cardiovascular disease.
• Cardiac Events during Exercise Testing: Greatest risk during maximal/vigorous exercises.
• Musculoskeletal Injury: High risk in weight-bearing, high-repetition activities.
  • Minimization: Choose appropriate exercises, start slow, be aware of injury signs, set realistic goals.

Health Across the Lifespan

• Children and Adolescents: Physical activity prevents obesity, influences metabolic risk factors.
• Adults: Increases energy expenditure, reduces risks of chronic diseases.
• Older Adults: Decline in activity with age, physical activity maintains function.

Chapter 2: Physical Activity Screening and Risk Factors

Importance of Screening

• Identifies medical contraindications, need for medical clearance or supervised programs, and other health concerns.

Levels of Screening

• Self-Guided: PAR-Q, ePARmed-X+, Physician Clearance Follow-up.
• Professionally Supervised: Health history questionnaires, medical exams (blood tests, blood pressure).

Contraindications to Exercise Testing

• Absolute: Clinical traits making physical activity risky; individuals should not participate.
• Relative: Traits allowing participation if benefits outweigh risks.

ACSM Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

• Age: 45+ for males, 55+ for females.
• Smoking: Current or recent (within 6 months).
• Sedentary lifestyle, obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²).
• Hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes.
  • Dyslipidemia: LDL-C ≥ 130 mg/dL; HDL-C < 40 mg/dL.
  • Diabetes: Fasting plasma glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL.
  • High HDL-C: ≥ 60 mg/dL.

Signs and Symptoms of Disease

• Pain: Chest, neck, jaw, arms, indicating ischemia.
• Shortness of Breath: Dyspnea, orthopnea.
• Syncope: Fainting.
• Ankle Edema
• Palpitations/Tachycardia
• Intermittent Claudication: Calf pain with walking.
• Unusual Fatigue or Shortness of Breath

Thank you for following along! Continue to the next video for Chapter 3.