Study guide
5.1 PAR-Q, Health History, Lifestyle Questionnaire, and Documentation
NASM Certified Personal Trainer Study Guide Exam
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1 1. Orientation, Official Sources, and Exam Strategy
1.1 What the NASM-CPT Credential Tests 1.2 Eligibility, Scheduling, PSI, and Exam-Day Rules 1.3 Blueprint Weights and How to Allocate Study Time 1.4 The OPT Model as the Organizing Map 1.5 How to Use ExamFinch Practice Questions 1.6 12-Week Study Plan and Readiness Metrics
2 2. Basic Sciences: Anatomy, Physiology, and Biomechanics
2.1 Nervous, Muscular, Skeletal, Cardiorespiratory, and Endocrine Systems 2.2 Bones, Joints, Muscle Actions, and Functional Anatomy 2.3 Biomechanics, Levers, Force, Torque, and Planes of Motion 2.4 Muscle Action Spectrum and Kinetic Chain Relationships 2.5 Length-Tension, Force-Couple, Reciprocal Inhibition, and Autogenic Inhibition 2.6 Motor Learning, Motor Control, and Movement Quality
3 Chapter 3: Nutrition, Energy Systems, and Weight Management
3.1 Macronutrients, Micronutrients, and Hydration Within CPT Scope 3.2 ATP-PC, Glycolytic, and Oxidative Energy Systems 3.3 EPOC, Caloric Balance, and Units of Energy 3.4 Dietary Reference Intakes, Portion Size, Meal Timing, and Nutrient Density 3.5 Supplements, Labels, Fad Diets, and Scope Boundaries 3.6 Weight-Management Factors and Referral Decisions
4 Chapter 4: Client Relations, Behavior Change, and Coaching
4.1 Rapport, Active Listening, and Client-Trainer Relationship 4.2 SMART Goals, Outcome Goals, Process Goals, and Expectation Management 4.3 Stages of Change and Readiness Conversations 4.4 Motivational Coaching, Reinforcement, and Habit Strategy 4.5 Barriers, Social Support, Environment, Stress, and Time 4.6 Psychological Responses to Exercise and Adherence
5 Assessment, Intake, Risk, and Physiological Testing
5.1 PAR-Q, Health History, Lifestyle Questionnaire, and Documentation 5.2 Medical Risk Factors, Red Flags, and Referral 5.3 Resting Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, BMI, and Waist-to-Hip Ratio 5.4 Cardiorespiratory Assessments: Step Test, Rockport, VO2max, and RPE 5.5 Body Composition, Circumference, Skinfold, and BIA 5.6 Reassessment Timing and Outcome Tracking
6 Movement Assessment, Posture, and Kinetic Chain
6.1 Kinetic Chain Checkpoints 6.2 Static Postural Assessment 6.3 Overhead Squat Assessment 6.4 Single-Leg Squat, Push, Pull, and Gait Assessments 6.5 Strength, Endurance, Power, and SAQ Assessments 6.6 Turning Assessment Findings Into First Program Decisions
7 Chapter 7: OPT Model and Program Design Framework
7.1 OPT Levels and Phases 7.2 Stabilization Endurance 7.3 Strength Endurance, Hypertrophy, and Maximal Strength 7.4 Power Training 7.5 Periodization, Specificity, Variation, Overload, and GAS 7.6 Acute Variables and Program-Design Math
8 Chapter 8: Training Modalities: Cardio, Flexibility, Core, Balance, Reactive, and SAQ
8.1 Flexibility Continuum: SMR, Static, Active-Isolated, and Dynamic 8.2 Cardiorespiratory FITTE, Stage Training, Intervals, and Steady State 8.3 Core Stabilization, Strength, and Power 8.4 Balance Stabilization, Strength, and Power 8.5 Reactive/Plyometric Training Progressions 8.6 SAQ, Resistance Systems, Modalities, and Technology
9 Chapter 9: Exercise Technique, Cueing, and Safe Instruction
9.1 Session Setup, Warm-Up, and Cool-Down 9.2 Flexibility, Core, Balance, Reactive, and Resistance Technique 9.3 Cueing: Kinesthetic, Auditory, and Visual 9.4 Progressions, Regressions, and Exercise Modification 9.5 Spotting, Breathing, and Safe Training Environment 9.6 Stop, Modify, or Refer: Signs and Symptoms During Training
10 Chapter 10: Special Populations and Program Modification
10.1 Youth Training 10.2 Seniors and Active Aging 10.3 Prenatal and Postnatal Considerations 10.4 Obesity and Weight-Management Clients 10.5 Clinical Clients, Hypertension, Diabetes, and Cardiometabolic Risk 10.6 Exercise Selection, Contraindications, and Referral
11 Professional Responsibility, Scope, Business, and Emergencies
11.1 NASM Scope of Practice 11.2 Ethics, Documentation, Records, Appearance, and Punctuality 11.3 Safety, Equipment Maintenance, and Facility Risk 11.4 Emergency Action Plans, EMS Activation, and Incident Response 11.5 Business Development, Marketing, Sales, Retention, and Ascension 11.6 Continuing Education, Recertification, and Credible Resources
12 Integrated Scenarios, Final Review, and Career Launch
12.1 Assessment-to-Program Scenario Lab 12.2 Behavior-Coaching Scenario Lab 12.3 Exercise Technique and Safety Scenario Lab 12.4 Full-Domain Final Review Plan 12.5 Test-Day Pacing and Retake Strategy 12.6 First 30 Days After Passing NASM-CPT
5.1 PAR-Q, Health History, Lifestyle Questionnaire, and Documentation
Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI
On the CPT7 blueprint, PAR-Q+, health history, and lifestyle screening sit inside the Assessment domain and always precede any physical test.
The PAR-Q+ is a safety screen, not a diagnosis: any "yes" routes the client to the ePARmed-X+ or to physician clearance before vigorous exercise.
Subjective intake covers occupation, lifestyle, recreation, and medical/medication history because each one changes test selection and risk.
Common HR/BP-altering medications (beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics) mean heart-rate formulas and readings must be interpreted cautiously.
Documentation should record the data, date, client self-report, the trainer's action, and any referral or clearance requirement.
Last updated: June 2026
Intake Is the First Assessment
For the NASM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT7) exam, assessment does not start when the client squats, steps, or lifts. It starts with subjective information gathered before any physical test. NASM teaches a deliberate sequence: collect subjective data (readiness screen, health history, lifestyle questionnaire), then objective physiological data (heart rate, blood pressure, body composition), then movement and performance assessments. Skipping the subjective stage to "just start training" is a classic exam trap, because the screen is what tells the trainer whether a physical assessment is even safe to administer.
The goal of intake is threefold: safety (rule out conditions that make exercise risky today), scope (decide what the trainer may handle versus refer), and assessment selection (choose tests that fit the client's age, history, and goals). A 58-year-old desk worker with knee surgery history and a 22-year-old recreational runner should not receive identical assessment batteries, and intake is where that branching decision is made.
The PAR-Q+ Readiness Screen
The PAR-Q+ (Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone) is the standardized pre-participation screen NASM uses. It is a short, self-report questionnaire of yes/no general health questions (heart condition, chest pain at rest or with activity, dizziness/loss of balance, bone or joint problems, blood-pressure or heart medications, and any other reason not to exercise). Key points the exam tests:
It is a screen, not a diagnosis . A "yes" does not mean the client cannot exercise; it means more information or clearance is needed first.
If the client answers "no" to all questions , they are generally cleared to begin gradually.
A "yes" routes them to the follow-up pages ( ePARmed-X+ ) and, when indicated, to physician clearance before moderate-to-vigorous activity.
A client who reports chest discomfort during activity and wants to start hard intervals "today" should be held back: defer vigorous testing, recommend medical clearance, and start conservatively only after clearance.
The PAR-Q+ protects both the client and the trainer's legal/professional standing. It is documented, dated, and signed.
- Screen result Meaning Trainer action
- All "no" No flags identified Begin gradual program; reassess as needed
- Any "yes" Possible risk Follow-up via ePARmed-X+; refer for clearance if indicated
- Symptomatic now Acute red flag Do not test; refer
Health History, Lifestyle, and Medications
Beyond the readiness screen, NASM collects a broader health-history and lifestyle questionnaire . This captures:
Occupation — sitting vs. standing, repetitive motions, dress shoes/heels, overhead work. A desk worker's prolonged hip flexion and rounded posture directly predict overhead-squat compensations, so this item guides posture and movement assessment.
Lifestyle/recreation — hobbies, sport, sleep, stress, tobacco, alcohol, and prior exercise experience.
Medical history — past injuries, surgeries, chronic conditions, and family history.
Medications and supplements — because several common drugs change cardiovascular responses.
Medications that affect heart rate and blood pressure are heavily tested. Beta-blockers blunt the heart-rate response, lowering both resting and exercise HR, so HR-based intensity formulas become unreliable and the trainer should lean on RPE and the talk test . Calcium channel blockers and diuretics can also alter HR/BP and hydration. The exam wants the trainer to recognize that a "normal" target-HR number may be meaningless for a medicated client.
Why intake drives test choice
Occupational sitting → expect overhead-squat compensations; prioritize posture/movement screens.
Knee surgery history → avoid high-impact cardio tests; choose low-impact options.
Beta-blocker use → use RPE/talk test instead of %HRmax targets.
Documentation and Informed Consent
Professional documentation is part of the assessment, not an afterthought. NASM expects the trainer to obtain informed consent (explaining what each test involves and its risks, and confirming the client agrees to participate voluntarily) and to keep clear, dated records. Consent should be obtained before any physical testing, and the client should understand they may stop at any time. Good documentation captures: the data collected , the date , the client's own report in their words, the trainer's action (e.g., "recommended physician clearance"), and any referral or clearance status .
An appropriate documentation entry is factual and scope-conscious — for example: "6/12: Client reports occasional chest tightness with stairs. PAR-Q+ "yes" to chest discomfort. Deferred cardio testing; advised physician clearance before vigorous exercise." An inappropriate entry would diagnose ("client has angina") or prescribe treatment, both outside CPT scope. The trainer records what was observed and reported , not a clinical interpretation.
Good records protect the client, support program decisions, create a baseline for reassessment , and document that the trainer acted within scope and standard of care. They are kept confidential and stored securely, consistent with the trainer's professional and legal obligations. The exam frequently rewards the answer that documents conservatively and refers, over the answer that pushes ahead and records a self-made diagnosis.
The intake sequence at a glance
PAR-Q+ readiness screen (with informed consent).
Health-history and lifestyle questionnaire (occupation, medical, medications).
Objective vitals and body-size measures (HR, BP, BMI, circumference).
Movement and performance assessments — only if screening clears the client.
Document everything and define the next safe step.