ISSA Personal Trainer Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (1–10)

Question 1

How many vertebrae make up the cervical region of the spine?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

7. There are 7 cervical vertebrae (C1-C7), followed by 12 thoracic and 5 lumbar.

Question 2

What type of joint is the elbow?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Hinge joint. The elbow is a hinge joint allowing flexion and extension in one plane.

Question 3

What type of joint is the shoulder (glenohumeral joint)?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Ball-and-socket joint. The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint, giving the greatest range of motion of any joint.

Question 4

Synovial fluid is produced by which structure?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Synovial membrane. The synovial membrane secretes synovial fluid, which lubricates and nourishes the joint.

Question 5

Which type of cartilage covers the articular surfaces of bones in a synovial joint?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Hyaline cartilage. Hyaline (articular) cartilage provides a smooth, low-friction surface on bone ends.

Question 6

The carpometacarpal joint of the thumb is an example of which joint type?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Saddle joint. The thumb CMC is a saddle joint, allowing opposition and a wide range of motion.

Question 7

Which structure is a fibrocartilage pad that improves congruency and cushions the knee?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Meniscus. The medial and lateral menisci are fibrocartilage pads in the knee that absorb shock and improve fit.

Question 8

Which connective tissue connects bone to bone at a joint?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Ligament. Ligaments connect bone to bone; tendons connect muscle to bone.

Question 9

Which of the following is a characteristic of skeletal muscle tissue?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Striated and voluntary. Skeletal muscle is striated and under voluntary (conscious) control; cardiac is striated but involuntary.

Question 10

What is the functional contractile unit of a muscle fiber?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Sarcomere. The sarcomere, the segment between two Z-lines, is the basic contractile unit of striated muscle.