What does the heart eject with each heartbeat, referred to as stroke volume?

Stroke volume refers to the amount of blood ejected by the heart with each contraction, specifically measured from the left ventricle. This is crucial to understanding cardiovascular health and fitness because the left ventricle is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood throughout the body, which is vital for all bodily functions.

The significance of this measurement lies in its role in determining cardiac output when combined with heart rate. For a healthy and fit individual, a higher stroke volume indicates better cardiac efficiency, as it signifies that more blood is being pumped with each beat, reducing the need for a higher heart rate during exercise or at rest.

While the right ventricle does pump blood to the lungs, and both ventricles contribute to the overall function of the heart, stroke volume specifically pertains to the output of the left ventricle. Understanding this distinction is essential for anyone studying group fitness and cardiovascular exercise, as it plays a direct role in developing effective training programs for improving heart health.