Cardiac Output Regulation During Exercise

Very Hard Biology Human Physiology

During intense exercise, the human body undergoes various physiological adjustments to meet the increased demand for oxygen and nutrients in working muscles. One of the critical adjustments is the regulation of cardiac output, which is influenced by both heart rate and stroke volume. Additionally, the body also responds by redistributing blood flow.

Given this context, which of the following statements best describes the physiological mechanism by which cardiac output increases during aerobic exercise?

Cardiac output increases solely due to an increase in heart rate, while stroke volume remains constant.

Cardiac output increases primarily through an increase in stroke volume, aided by enhanced venous return and decreased vascular resistance.

Both heart rate and stroke volume increase; however, the heart rate contributes more significantly to the rise in cardiac output during intensive exercise.

Cardiac output decreases during exercise due to an increase in parasympathetic activity inhibiting heart rate.

Hint

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