ACSM Personal Trainer Certification Practice Exam

What heart response is a sign that an exercise test may need to be terminated?

1. Increasing heart rate

2. No change in heart rhythm

3. Failure of heart rate to increase with intensity

4. Regular heartbeat

The correct answer is: Failure of heart rate to increase with intensity

The indication that an exercise test may need to be terminated is the failure of heart rate to increase with intensity. During progressive exercise, it is expected that the heart rate will rise in response to an increase in exercise intensity, as the body requires more oxygen and nutrients to meet the demands of the working muscles. If the heart rate does not increase appropriately, it may signal underlying issues such as chronotropic incompetence or other cardiovascular problems that could pose risks to the individual during further exercise. This lack of heart rate response may indicate that the heart is unable to adequately respond to the demands of exercise, warranting a stoppage of the test to ensure the safety of the participant. In contrast, an increasing heart rate is a normal physiological response during exercise, while a regular heartbeat is also expected. A lack of change in heart rhythm does not necessarily indicate that the test should be stopped, unless it coincides with other abnormal signs or symptoms.