What physiological change occurs from regular aerobic exercise?

Regular aerobic exercise leads to several beneficial physiological adaptations in the body, one of which is an increase in stroke volume. Stroke volume refers to the amount of blood pumped by the heart with each beat. During regular aerobic exercise, the heart becomes more efficient; its chambers can fill with more blood due to improved venous return and the heart muscle itself becomes stronger over time. As a result, it can pump more blood per contraction, which is particularly important for oxygen delivery and endurance performance during physical activities.

This increase in stroke volume allows the body to sustain activity for longer periods since it improves the oxygen-carrying capacity of the bloodstream and supports the metabolic demands of working muscles. Enhanced stroke volume is also beneficial for both athletes and non-athletes, contributing to overall cardiovascular health.

Other choices reflect changes that do not align with the common physiological adaptations associated with regular aerobic exercise. For example, maximal heart rate typically remains stable or may even decrease slightly with training; lung capacity tends to improve or remain the same; and flexibility can increase or be maintained with proper training and conditioning.