Which of the following physiological adaptations should an athlete at rest show following an eight-week aerobic training program? (A) Increased Decreased Lung capacity Oxygen uptake Cardiac output Haemoglobin level Stroke volume Blood pressure Ventilation rate Lactate levels - HSC - SSCE Personal Development and Physical Education - Question 17 - 2005 - Paper 1

After an aerobic training program, an athlete at rest may demonstrate reduced oxygen uptake due to better oxygen utilization within the muscles, but the body requires less oxygen due to increased efficiency.

With training, cardiac output generally increases to accommodate greater demands during exercise, leading to more efficient circulation at rest.

In well-trained athletes, the oxygen-carrying capacity may not necessarily decrease, but efficiency in oxygen utilization increases, and hemoglobin levels can stabilize.

Stroke volume increases as the heart becomes more efficient at pumping blood, which is a common adaptation to endurance training.

Regular aerobic training can lead to lower resting blood pressure, which is beneficial for cardiovascular health.

At rest, a trained athlete typically shows a more efficient breathing pattern that leads to a lower ventilation rate due to improved lung function.

Subsequent to aerobic training, athletes tend to produce lower levels of lactate at rest due to enhanced metabolic adaptations.