Aerobic Capacity is primarily dependent on which two factors?

Aerobic capacity fundamentally refers to the body's ability to take in, transport, and utilize oxygen during prolonged physical activity. The two primary factors that influence this capacity are maximal cardiac output and oxygen-tissue exchange.

Maximal cardiac output is crucial as it determines the amount of blood the heart can pump in one minute. A higher cardiac output means more oxygen-rich blood can be delivered to the muscles during exercise, which is essential for sustaining aerobic activity over longer durations.

Oxygen-tissue exchange refers to how effectively oxygen is transferred from the bloodstream to the tissues, including the muscles where energy is generated. Efficient oxygen extraction at the tissue level is vital for endurance performance, enabling the muscles to utilize the oxygen delivered by the cardiovascular system effectively.

Together, these factors create the framework for evaluating aerobic fitness, highlighting the importance of both how much blood the heart can pump and how well the body can use the oxygen that is supplied.