ACSM Personal Trainer Certification Practice Exam

Which adaptation occurs after chronic aerobic exercise training?

1. Decrease in stroke volume

2. Decrease in resting heart rate

3. Increase in blood lactate during exercise

4. Increase in resting blood pressure

The correct answer is: Decrease in resting heart rate

Chronic aerobic exercise training leads to various cardiovascular adaptations that enhance overall fitness and efficiency. One of the key adaptations is a decrease in resting heart rate, which occurs due to improved cardiovascular efficiency. With regular aerobic training, the heart becomes stronger and more efficient at pumping blood. As a result, it can send a greater amount of blood with each contraction, enabling a lower heart rate at rest. This adaptation is beneficial as it indicates improved cardiovascular health and fitness levels. A lower resting heart rate reduces the overall workload on the heart during day-to-day activities and is associated with better endurance during physical exertion. In contrast, other options, such as a decrease in stroke volume, would not align with the expected physiological changes from aerobic training; typically, stroke volume increases due to enhanced cardiac output. Similarly, an increase in blood lactate during exercise would suggest a decrease in aerobic capacity, which is contrary to the effects of regular training. Lastly, an increase in resting blood pressure is not a typical outcome of aerobic training either; rather, aerobic exercise is generally associated with reduced resting blood pressure, promoting better cardiovascular health.