Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) Practice Exam

Prior to a muscular-endurance assessment, what should the trainer check first?

1. Conduct the passive straight-leg test

2. Check for low-back pain

3. Ensure push-ups can be done on toes

4. Discuss social support

The correct answer is: Check for low-back pain

Prior to a muscular-endurance assessment, it is essential for the trainer to check for low-back pain because this potential issue can significantly impact a client's performance and safety during the assessment. Low-back pain may indicate underlying injuries or conditions that can be exacerbated by certain movements or exercises involved in testing muscular endurance, such as push-ups or other body-weight exercises. Ensuring the client has no pre-existing pain or discomfort allows the trainer to provide a safer assessment environment and to tailor the testing to the client's physical capabilities and limitations. Assessing for low-back pain also helps in understanding the client's overall physical health, which is crucial in designing an appropriate exercise program. While the other options may be relevant in different contexts, they do not directly address an immediate concern that could compromise safety and performance during the assessment itself. For instance, conducting a straight-leg test or ensuring push-ups can be done on toes does not prioritize the immediate health and comfort of the client. Discussing social support, although important for motivation and adherence, is not a primary concern before conducting a physical performance test.