NASM Tips while they're still fresh in my mind
by Kate
(Hoboken , NJ)
I took the NASM exam this morning for the first time, and passed. So, while they are still fresh in my mind, I'll try to remember in some shape or form several of the questions I had:
- What muscle action are the quads performing as you go down into a squat? Possible answers were eccentric, concentric etc.
- If someone's belt is higher at the back than at the front, what muscle imbalance are they most likely to be suffering from? (I know, weird). Possible answers were anterior pelvic tilt, posterior pelvic tilt, etc.
- What are you likely to hear when listening for diastolic blood pressure? (Again, weird, I know, this is not in the book, or if it is, I didn't see it!) Possible answers were a receding pulse, rapid pulse etc.
- What does rapport stand for?
- What is the first thing to do when faced with a medical emergency? Possible answers were check for hazards, get the AED etc
- What is a female's average heart rate?
- What is an overall average heart rate?
- How many calories in 1 gram of fat, protein, carbohydrate, also their daily percentages.
- What is the percentage of the 1 rep max?
- What is a progression for someone in stabilisation level who can perform a ball dumbbell chest press well? Possible answers were increase the weight, use alternate arms, increase speed etc.
- What is the health and fitness professional's first duty? Possible answers were the club they work in, the public, themselves, etc.
- What is the intensity percentage for someone doing resistance training in phase 3, hypertrophy? Possible answers were 60-70%, 75-85% etc. There are quite a lot of questions like this. KNOW YOUR ACUTE VARIABLES.
- How many exercises for each body part should be performed in stablisation? Possible answers were 1-2, 3-4 etc.
- Of course, there were plenty of questions which referred to muscle imbalances. For instance, if your feet turn out during the overhead squat assessment, what is an overactive muscle? Possible answers were soleus/gastrocnemius, latissimus dorsi, etc. I SUGGEST THAT YOU KNOW THESE LIKE THE BACK OF YOUR HAND. Also, read these questions carefully, as the test may refer to underactive muscles, in which case it is a process of elimination. JUST KNOW THE OVERACTIVE, AND YOU CAN WORK BACKWARDS. I immediately knew that there was someone else in the room taking the same exam when I walked in, because he was assuming the arms fall too far forward position at his seat. Don't be afraid to contort yourself into strange positions if it helps! I did.
- What is the MINIMUM amount of protein that an endurance athlete should consume daily? Possible answers were 0.8g/kg, 1g/kg, 1.4g/kg etc.
- Which of the following is not part of the core stabilisation system? Possible answers were external obliques, erector spinae, etc.
OK, I really hopes that this gives you some idea as to what you can expect. It is only general, though, so bear in mind that you need to know in and around the above too. Also, re-read the book if you have time, it is amazing what you may have forgotten/overlooked. I think this is what helped me pass.
PERHAPS MORE IMPORTANTLY:
I LET SOME OF THE POSTINGS ON THIS SITE REALLY, REALLY FREAK ME OUT. I MEAN, REALLY FREAK ME OUT. I WILL SAY THAT THE QUESTIONS ON THE ACTUAL EXAM ARE WORDIER THAN THE PRACTICE EXAM, AND YOU MUST, MUST, MUST READ THEM VERY CAREFULLY. DO NOT LET CURVE BALLS UPSET YOU, TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND THINK LOGICALLY.
One last thing, those of you taking the test at 1350 Broadway in Manhattan, they have building work going on, so expect drilling all of the way through.
Good luck!
