Personal Trainer Certification Exam

This is a printed copy of the online exam.

This copy is only intended for your
personal records. This printed copy of the
online exam will not be accepted by the
ISSA for grading.

If you wish to submit a paper version of

the exam, please call us or download the
"Final Exam" from the Downloads section
of your course.
Section 5: Case Study
This part of your examination is worth 160 points and consists of 2 Case Study questions

Case Study

Please note the following when constructing your Case Studies:

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Instructions:
This section of your final exam provides you with an opportunity to apply all of the
information you have learned throughout the course to the work that you will be doing as a
certified professional.
You will be presented with two client profiles, and will be asked to design a 12-week
periodized program for each client. In addition to describing the logistics of the program, you
will also be asked to explain why you have designed the program the way that you have.
Approach these clients as you would approach a real-life situation. Your client should be able
to take your program and put it into practice without having to contact you for explanation of
what to do or why to do it.
Before you finalize your submission, make sure your program passes the following tests:
1. Is the training program that you are designing appropriate, safe, and effective for the
client, given the client's physical abilities and primary goals?
2. Could you defend your program from a legal standpoint? Who would be held liable if your
client was injured during training because of either lifting too much weight or exceeding a
certain heart rate?
3. Is your program justifiable from a business standpoint? Are you professional with your
current clients? Would they refer their friends, family, or colleagues to you based on the
guidance that you provide in your program design?
4. Imagine that YOU are the paying client. Would you feel that your money was well spent if
you were handed the training program/dietary recommendations?

Case Study 1
Calculations: Calculate the client's target heart rate using the Karvonen formula.

Training Program: Design a full 12-week periodized training program for the client described
in the Client Profile. Be very specific as you design the training program. This is an
opportunity for you to demonstrate your full comprehension of the information and concepts
discussed throughout the course. List the types of exercise, duration, sets, reps, rest
intervals, and so on.

Include the following in your case study submission:

A description of your professional responsibilities as discussed in the stages of

the drawing-in process (Unit 12)

Discussion of any fitness tests, methods of evaluation, and data collection used
to assess and evaluate the client's needs

Specific conditions that you have identified in the client profile

A fully detailed 12-week comprehensive and periodized training program

including specific exercises, sets, repetitions, suggested rest times, etc. Use an
integrated approach in your program recommendations.

Specific and detailed nutritional strategies and an explanation as to how the

strategies will assist the client in meeting energy needs

Explanation for your chosen assessment, programming, and nutritional

recommendations. (Be sure to reference course concepts when
discussing rationale for your recommendations.

Keep in mind that a client should be able to take your program and put it into practice
without having to contact you to clarify what you intended by your recommendations or to
explain parts of your program.

Don't forget your explanation for WHY you listed and recommended what you did. Reference
the concepts and theories covered in the course. Be sure to address why the program and
exercises recommended are appropriate for the specific client given the client's history,
current abilities, and intended goal(s). For example: if you are developing a program for a
beginner client without any resistance training experience, explain how your program
addresses the lack of experience, initial need for foundational development, process by
which you would safely progress the client, etc. Tying your program to course concepts is a
critical component of your case study.

Review the Client Profile below.

Client Profile: Jamie Summers

Age: 53

Gender: Female

Resting Heart Rate: 90 bpm

Height: 5'5"

Weight: 165 lb

Body Fat Percentage: 35%

Background and Goals: Jamie is a working mother of three teenagers. She has not been
consistently active for many years. She was recently diagnosed with high blood pressure,
which is likely caused by her high-stress corporate job and physical inactivity. She also has
an affinity for processed and sugary foods. Jamie was recently told by her doctor that she
needs to start exercising, eating better, and just simply taking better care of herself or else
she is on her way to additional health problems. Jamie will be attending her oldest
daughter's high school graduation in three months and wants to use the event as a goal date
in which to make significant progress in her health.

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My clients name is Jamie Summers. She’s a 53 year old working mother of three
teenagers. She has not been consistently active for many years. Her goal is to
start exercising, eating better, and just simply taking better care of herself or else
she’s on her way to additional health problems. She’ll be attending her oldest
daughter’s high school graduation in 3 months and wants to use that event as a
goal date in which to make significant progress in her health gave Jamie a
questionnaire to find out more about her, to properly develop a fitness program
and to make sure there are no ailments holding her back from performing. She
was diagnosed whit high blood pressure, which is likely caused from her high
stress job and physical inactivity. She has an affinity for processed and sugary
foods. Now that we are done with the first part of the questionnaire, now we move
on to the physical assessment. First we will do an assessment for cardiovascular
endurance, using the step test to evaluate. Next is the assessment for muscular
endurance, which includes push-ups for upper body strength, and sit ups for all
around core strength. Last is assessment for flexibility, which will evaluate clients
range of motion as well as flexibility. These assessments will let me determine
where my client is, according to charts and percentages, to help create proper
program. Karvonen formula

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Case Study 2
Calculations: Calculate the client's target heart rate using the Karvonen formula.

Training Program: Design a full 12-week periodized training program for the client described
in the Client Profile. Be very specific as you design the training program. This is an
opportunity for you to demonstrate your full comprehension of the information and concepts
discussed throughout the course. List the types of exercise, duration, sets, reps, rest
intervals, and so on.
Include the following in your case study submission:

A description of your professional responsibilities as discussed in the stages of

the drawing-in process (Unit 12)

Discussion of any fitness tests, methods of evaluation, and data collection used
to assess and evaluate the client's needs

Specific conditions that you have identified in the client profile

A fully detailed 12-week comprehensive and periodized training program

including specific exercises, sets, repetitions, suggested rest times, etc. Use an
integrated approach in your program recommendations.

Specific and detailed nutritional strategies and an explanation as to how the

strategies will assist the client in meeting energy needs

Explanation for your chosen assessment, programming, and nutritional

recommendations. (Be sure to reference course concepts when
discussing rationale for your recommendations.

Keep in mind that a client should be able to take your program and put it into practice
without having to contact you to clarify what you intended by your recommendations or to
explain parts of your program.

Don't forget your explanation for WHY you listed and recommended what you did. Reference
the concepts and theories covered in the course. Be sure to address why the program and
exercises recommended are appropriate for the specific client given the client's history,
current abilities, and intended goal(s). For example: if you are developing a program for a
beginner client without any resistance training experience, explain how your program
addresses the lack of experience, initial need for foundational development, process by
which you would safely progress the client, etc. Tying your program to course concepts is a
critical component of your case study.

Review the Client Profile below.

Client Profile: Diana Prince

Age: 37

Gender: Female

Resting Heart Rate: 75 bpm

Height: 5'5"

Weight: 165 lb

Body Fat Percentage: 31%

Background and Goals: Diana is a 37-year-old mother of two children. She used to exercise
fairly consistently (mostly jogging and light aerobic activities) before having kids. Ever since
she had her first child 9 years ago, she has not been very active. Diana has her 20-year high
school reunion coming up in 3 months (12 weeks). She would like to look and feel her best
and is eager and willing to spend the next 12 weeks doing what she can to change her body.

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