ACSM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) — Question 4

When developing an exercise prescription for a client visiting a high altitude environment (over 1500 m), the personal trainer should be aware that ______.

Answer options

• A. it may take about a week to fully acclimate to the altitude
• B. it may take up to two weeks to overcome decreased exercise performance
• C. submaximal heart rate would be lower during the exercise session
• D. aerobic capacity is reduced due to higher partial pressures of oxygen

Correct answer: B

Explanation

The correct answer is B because acclimatization to high altitude can lead to temporary decreases in exercise performance that may take a couple of weeks to resolve. Option A is incorrect as it's not about full acclimatization but rather about performance recovery. Option C is wrong as submaximal heart rates typically increase rather than decrease at high altitudes. Option D is misleading since aerobic capacity is reduced due to lower oxygen availability, not higher partial pressures.