Pass the NASM Personal Trainer CPT Questions and answers with ExamsMirror

NASM’s resistance training technique guidelines emphasize maintaining proper lower extremity alignment to prevent injury and maximize movement efficiency. For squatting patterns—including the ball squat—the knees should track in line with the second toe, ensuring the tibia and femur remain in proper alignment and reducing valgus or varus stresses at the knee. This position also promotes balanced foot loading and optimal activation of the glutes, quadriceps, and hamstrings. The Study Guide warns that deviations such as hip adduction, foot pronation, or internal hip rotation during squatting increase abnormal stress through the kinetic chain, leading to compensatory patterns and potential overuse injuries. Therefore, “knee over second toe” represents the correct, safe position for the lower extremities in a ball squat.

NASM’s balance progression principles move from stable → less stable → unstable surfaces, while keeping proper form. A single-leg squat on a Dyna disc is more proprioceptively challenging than doing it on the floor or even on an Airex pad because the Dyna disc creates multidirectional instability.

Two-leg squats, even on unstable surfaces, are less challenging for balance than single-leg squats. Therefore, progressing from single-leg squat on the floor to single-leg squat on a Dyna disc follows the recommended instability progression.

Lipids—commonly referred to as fats—include triglycerides, phospholipids, and sterols. The NASM Study Guide specifies: “Lipids are commonly referred to as fats and include triglycerides, phospholipids, and sterols.” Triglycerides are the primary form of fat stored in the body and a major energy reserve, especially for prolonged, lower-intensity activity. Each triglyceride molecule consists of glycerol bound to three fatty acids. In contrast, glycine and amino acids are protein components, and polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates (e.g., starches). Lipids are energy dense (9 kcal/gram) and serve not only as a long-term energy source but also play roles in cell membrane integrity, hormone production, and nutrient absorption. Including triglycerides in the definition of lipids aligns directly with NASM’s nutritional science section.

When shoulders elevate and the head moves forward during a pushing assessment, NASM identifies overactive muscles including the upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, and levator scapulae. These compensations suggest dominance of neck and shoulder elevators combined with underactivity of stabilizers such as the deep cervical flexors and mid/lower trapezius. Corrective strategies involve inhibiting and stretching the overactive muscles, then activating the underactive ones to restore optimal pushing mechanics.