At what capacity does stroke volume start to plateau during exercise?

During exercise, stroke volume, which is the amount of blood pumped by the heart with each beat, generally increases with the intensity of the workout. However, research indicates that this increase typically begins to plateau at around 40% to 60% of someone's VO2max, which is the maximum rate of oxygen consumption.

At lower intensities, the heart can increase stroke volume significantly to meet the demands of physical activity. As exercise intensity ramps up, the body requires more oxygen, and the heart responds by increasing both heart rate and stroke volume. Once exercise intensity exceeds that 40% to 60% threshold, the additional increase in stroke volume starts to diminish. At this point, heart rate becomes the primary contributor to enhancing cardiac output, as the heart may reach its limits regarding the amount of blood it can pump effectively with each contraction.

Understanding this relationship between exercise intensity and stroke volume is crucial for exercise physiologists, as it helps inform training programs and conditioning strategies. Knowing when stroke volume plates, exercise prescriptions can be tailored effectively to optimize performance and specific fitness goals.