What is the impact of resistance exercise on stroke volume?

Resistance exercise primarily focuses on building muscular strength and endurance, leading to notable physiological adaptations in the body. However, when evaluating its impact on stroke volume—the amount of blood the heart pumps with each beat—the effects differ compared to aerobic exercise.

When engaging in resistance exercise, the heart rate increases to meet the body’s immediate demands for oxygen and nutrients. However, unlike aerobic activities, which typically enhance cardiac output through both heart rate increases and robust increases in stroke volume, resistance training does not generally lead to a significant change in stroke volume during the workout. This is partly because the intensity and nature of resistance training often promote a higher systemic vascular resistance, which can limit the heart's filling capacity and thereby maintain stroke volume at relatively constant levels.

In contrast, aerobic activities consistently promote increases in stroke volume over time due to better cardiac adaptations, such as increased ventricular chamber size and improved myocardial contractility. Therefore, in the context of resistance exercise, one would expect minimal to no change in stroke volume during or following these types of workouts, as the body prioritizes other mechanisms to accommodate physical demands—such as increased heart rate—rather than significantly increasing stroke volume.