Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA) Practice Exam

Which of the following may increase the standard error of measurement of a push-up test to assess muscular strength?

1. An inexperienced personal trainer

2. An injured client

3. Testing a trained client

4. Testing a female client

The correct answer is: Testing a trained client

Increasing the standard error of measurement in a push-up test can occur due to variability in performance during the testing process. When testing a trained client, their higher level of muscular strength and endurance may lead to more significant fluctuation in push-up performance, especially if they are used to training under different conditions, environments, or with varying intensities. This variability can be attributed to their experience with exercise and how their body responds on the day of testing. In comparison, with inexperienced personal trainers or injured clients, the concerns are more about the validity and reliability of the test rather than variability affecting performance. An inexperienced trainer might not administer the test perfectly but doesn't necessarily increase the error of measurement consistently across trials. An injured client may not perform to their typical capabilities, but they would likely demonstrate less variability if no physical activity is attempted. Testing a female client does not inherently cause significant fluctuations in performance tied directly to increased error measurement across the group, as muscular strength assessments should be relative to the individual's ability rather than gender per se. Thus, testing a trained client can lead to increased variation in push-up performance, consequently affecting the standard error of measurement.