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Exercise for Pre and Postnatal Clients

Pregnant women taking part in an exercise class
Pregnant women taking part in an exercise class

The following Level 3 Pre and Postnatal Exercise and Fitness Guidelines mock exam is provided to support any students that is working towards a pre and postnatal course in the fitness industry. Specifically, this mock exam is designed for fitness instructors, group exercise instructors and personal trainers that want to work with women who are pregnant, or who have recently given birth.

Exercise professionals working with pre and postnatal clients must have a sound understanding of the physiological changes that take place as a result of being pregnant and giving birth. It is equally important that they also have an understanding of the medical conditions that commonly present during pregnancy, so that they can adapt a client’s exercise prescription to accommodate their needs safely and effectively. This mock exam will test this knowledge.

In the following exam, there are 35 multiple-choice questions and you will be required to answer 25 correct (70%). There is only one possible answer for each question.

Exercise for Pre and Postnatal Clients

1/35: Which of the following is a benefit of exercise during pregnancy?

A

Reduced fatigue

B

Increased length of labour

C

Excessive weight gain

D

Decreased self-esteem

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2/35: Which trimester would the 27th week of pregnancy fall in to?

A

Second trimester

B

Third trimester

C

Fourth trimester

D

First trimester

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3/35: After how many weeks or pregnancy should supine exercises be avoided?

A

6-weeks

B

8-weeks

C

10-weeks

D

12-weeks

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4/35: In which trimester is weight gain typically at its greatest?

A

Third

B

Second

C

First

D

Evenly distributed

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5/35: The hormone 'relaxin' has which of the following effects during pregnancy?

A

Increases heart rate

B

Decreases joint stability

C

Increases muscle mass

D

Supplies glucose to the baby

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6/35: Abdominal separation during pregnancy is more accurately referred to as?

A

Symphysis pubis disorder

B

Diastasis recti

C

Premature rupture of membranes

D

Miscarriage

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7/35: Which of the following most accurately describes the structure of the pelvic floor muscles?

A

3 layers of triangular-shaped muscles

B

2 layers of triangular-shaped muscles

C

2 layers of square-shaped muscles

D

3 layers of square-shaped muscles

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8/35: Which of the following best describes 'pubis symphysis dysfunction' in pregnancy?

A

Increased strength at the pubis symphysis joint

B

The pubic bones become separated and twisted

C

Decreased activity of osteoblasts

D

The pubic bones become fused and rigid

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9/35: Which of the following is NOT an absolute contraindication to exercise during pregnancy?

A

Incompetent cervix

B

Multiple gestation

C

Persistent bleeding

D

Morbidly obese

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10/35: Which of the following signs would suggest that it is necessary to reduce the intensity of an exercise or physical activity programme during pregnancy?

(Multiple

Choice, 10 points, 1 attempt permitted)

A

Heavy perspiration rate

B

Insufficient weight gain

C

Increased foetal movement

D

Notable increase in flexibility

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11/35: Which of the following foods should be avoided during pregnancy?

A

Mozzarella cheese

B

Feta cheese

C

Gorgonzola cheese

D

Halloumi cheese

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12/35: Pregnant women should not exceed how many units of alcohol in a day?

A

0-1

B

1-2

C

2-3 units

D

3-4 units

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13/35: Before taking part in any programme of exercise or physical activity, a pregnant client should complete which of the following?

A

Lifestyle questionnaire

B

PARmed-X for pregnancy

C

Antenatal fitness assessment

D

Medical examination

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14/35: Prior to exercising, pregnant women should ensure which of the following?

A

They maintain adequate carbohydrate intake

B

They are wearing tightly fitted clothing for support

C

They should drink at least a pint of water

D

They stretch thoroughly

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15/35: According to the ACSM guidelines, what is the total cumulative duration that pregnant women should exercise within any 7-day period?

A

100 minutes

B

60 minutes

C

150 minutes

D

180 minutes

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16/35: Which of the following exercises would NOT be recommended during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy?

A

Treadmill

B

Rowing

C

Upright cycle

D

Recumbent cycle

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17/35: What are pelvic floor exercises more formally known as?

A

Regals

B

Legals

C

Kegals

D

Fregals

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18/35: Which of the following types of stretches would be most appropriate during pregnancy?

A

Dynamic

B

PNF

C

Static- maintenance

D

Ballistic

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19/35: Which of the following foods should be avoided during pregnancy?

A

Pate

B

Onions

C

Cream

D

Poultry

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20/35: Which of the following is NOT a common symptom experienced during the second trimester?

A

Increased energy level

B

Weight gain of 7-11 lb

C

Increased anterior pelvic tilt

D

Increased nausea and vomiting

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21/35: Which of the following hormones is fundamental to the success of pregnancy (e.g. if levels are too low, pregnancy will likely fail)?

A

Oestrogen

B

Progesterone

C

Relaxin

D

Insulin

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22/35: Which of the following explains why exercise helps to prevent the development of gestational diabetes?

A

Body's cells become less receptive to insulin

B

Body's cells become more receptive to insulin

C

Body's cells become less receptive to glucagon

D

Body's cells become more receptive to oestrogen

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23/35: Which of the following hormones initiates the production and secretion of milk post birth?

A

Oestrogen

B

Progesterone

C

Insulin

D

Prolactin

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24/35: Which of the following might cause blood pressure to drop early in pregnancy, causing dizziness and light-headedness?

A

Release of prolactin

B

Vascular underfill

C

Diastasis recti

D

Varicose veins

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25/35: Which of the following postural changes are common during pregnancy because of the increased abdominal and breast mass?

A

Greater anterior tilt of the pelvis

B

Flattening of the lumbar spine

C

Flattening of the thoracic spine

D

Scoliosis

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26/35: Which of the following is NOT a factor that increases a woman's risk of developing diastasis recti?

A

Twin pregnancy

B

Poor posture

C

Multiple pregnancies close together

D

Strong abdominal muscles

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27/35: Which of the following changes affects the digestive system of pregnant women?

A

Decreased transit of food through the gut

B

Increased production of enzymes to break foods down

C

Decreased oxygen intake reduces the breakdown of foods

D

Reduced frequency of urination

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28/35: Which of the following cheeses do NOT need to be avoided by pregnant women?

A

Brie

B

Camembert

C

Danish blue

D

Lancashire

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29/35: What is the maximum number of portions of oily fish that a pregnant woman should consume each week?

A

2

B

3

C

4

D

5

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30/35: Which of the following foods is likely to contain high levels of the bacteria 'listeria' and as such should be avoided by pregnant women?

A

Pate

B

Peanuts

C

Pork

D

Eggs

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31/35: Which of the following is the best course of action for managing gestational diabetes?

A

Remain active daily and follow a balanced diet

B

Refrain from eating chocolate and other sweet foods

C

Exercise daily for 60 minutes or more

D

Only eat foods with a low glycaemic index

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32/35: Which of the following groups of pregnant women are least at risk of developing stress incontinence?

A

Older women

B

Overweight women

C

Women who sit for long periods

D

Women who engage in moderate levels of varied activity

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33/35: Which of the following is NOT a way in which pregnant women can reduce the risk of muscle cramps?

A

Avoid high heeled shoes

B

Stay hydrated

C

Perform regular aerobic exercise

D

Perform regular resistance training

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34/35: Which of the following is a common guideline issued to pregnant women to reduce their risk of becoming constipated?

A

Consume plenty of vitamin C

B

Avoid using iron supplements

C

Avoid drinking tea and coffee

D

Avoid eating large meals

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35/35: Which of the following is NOT a recommendation commonly issued to pregnant women suffering from heartburn?

A

Sit upright while eating and shortly after

B

Eat smaller and more frequent meals

C

Use an antacid when symptoms are severe

D

Avoid prolonged standing

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Exercise for Pre and Postnatal Clients

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