What effect does an increase in stroke volume have on resting heart rate?

An increase in stroke volume, which refers to the amount of blood ejected by the heart with each beat, typically leads to a decrease in resting heart rate. This occurs because the heart becomes more efficient; a more powerful heart can pump a greater volume of blood with fewer beats. Consequently, when the stroke volume is higher, the body requires fewer heartbeats to circulate the same amount of blood, resulting in a lower resting heart rate.

This relationship emphasizes the efficiency of the cardiovascular system, highlighting how trained athletes often exhibit lower resting heart rates due to their enhanced stroke volume from regular cardiovascular training. Such adaptations improve endurance and overall cardiac function.

In contrast, other options suggest different outcomes that don't align with the physiological principles of heart function and efficiency in healthy individuals. Choices indicating no effect, an increase in the resting heart rate, or irregular rates do not reflect the established understanding of how stroke volume and heart rate interplay in a well-conditioned cardiovascular system.