National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) Practice Exam

What is defined as the body's response to stress in relation to physical training?

1. Chronic stress adaptation

2. General adaptation syndrome (GAS)

3. Acute stress reaction

4. Muscle memory adaptation

The correct answer is: General adaptation syndrome (GAS)

The body's response to stress in relation to physical training is best captured by the concept of General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS). This model, developed by Hans Selye, outlines the physiological changes that occur in response to stressors, including physical training. GAS comprises three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. In the context of physical training, when the body is subjected to a stressor like intense exercise, it initially reacts with the alarm phase, where the body experiences stress and disruption. Following this phase, during the resistance phase, the body adapts and becomes stronger in response to that stressor. With continued exposure and appropriate recovery, the body can maintain this higher level of function and performance. However, if the stress is too prolonged or too intense without adequate recovery, it can lead to exhaustion, where the body cannot perform at optimal levels, potentially leading to overtraining or injury. This adaptive response is essential in understanding how the body improves in strength, endurance, and overall fitness through consistent and progressive training. Other concepts, such as acute stress reaction, refer to immediate short-term responses to stress, while chronic stress adaptation deals with long-term consequences of sustained stress. Muscle memory adaptation is more focused on the neural aspect of motor learning and