Exercise Physiology: Theory and Application to Fitness and Performance 9th Edition by Scott Powers, Edward Howley

Exercise 7

Define preload, afterload, and contractility, and discuss the role of each in the increase in the maximal stroke volume that occurs with endurance training.

Step 1 of 3

Preload: An increase in end diastolic volume is called preload. Training induces an increase in stroke volume which is responsible for the increase in cardiac output. However, training does not increase maximal heart rate. Therefore, the training induced increase in cardiac output is solely due to the increase in end diastolic volume (EDV) or preload.