5.1 PAR-Q, Health History, Lifestyle Questionnaire, and Documentation

Intake is the first assessment

For NASM-CPT, assessment begins before the client squats, steps, runs, or lifts. The CPT7 blueprint specifically names the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire, medical history, lifestyle questionnaire, and risk factors in Domain 3. The exam expects you to treat these tools as a safety gate and as a program-design input.

The PAR-Q+ is a preparticipation screen. NASM describes it as a tool for evaluating exercise safety by considering health history, symptoms, and risk factors. A yes answer does not mean the trainer diagnoses a condition. It means the trainer asks appropriate follow-up, follows the form instructions, and refers or obtains medical clearance when the client is not clearly safe for routine activity.

Health history widens the lens. Ask about current and past medical conditions, medications, surgeries, injuries, pregnancy status when relevant, pain, dizziness, chest symptoms, shortness of breath, diabetes, hypertension, eating disorders, cancer history, and physician restrictions. A trainer can collect and document this information, but cannot interpret it as a medical diagnosis.

Lifestyle history explains why assessment findings appear. NASM's lifestyle handout asks about exercise habits, diet patterns, sleep, stress, tobacco or vaping, alcohol, occupation, prolonged sitting, repetitive movements, heeled footwear, recreation, injuries, surgeries, chronic conditions, and medications. These answers can point toward posture checks, cardio caution, or a need to avoid a test.

Documentation is part of professional practice. Record the date, form used, client statements, objective values, assessment selected or deferred, and the reason for referral or clearance. Do not write unsupported conclusions such as torn meniscus, anxiety disorder, or uncontrolled hypertension. Write what was reported or measured.

A common exam trap is to skip intake because the client appears healthy. Another is to perform a maximal test first and handle paperwork later. NASM logic runs the other direction: screen first, identify contraindications, then choose assessments that match the client's goals and safety profile.

Intake also protects rapport. Ask direct questions in a neutral tone, explain that the information guides safe training, and respect privacy. If the client refuses to disclose a required safety item, document the refusal and do not proceed with a test that depends on that information.

Use the results immediately. A sedentary office worker with high stress and old ankle injuries may need static posture, overhead squat, and low-intensity cardio testing before aggressive performance tests. A cleared athlete with no symptoms and a speed goal may need movement plus SAQ assessments. The intake determines the starting line.