What is a long-term adaptation of regular aerobic exercise?

Regular aerobic exercise leads to several physiological adaptations in the body, one of which is a lower resting heart rate. This occurs because consistent aerobic activity improves the efficiency of the heart. The heart becomes stronger and can pump more blood with each beat, which means it doesn’t need to beat as frequently to supply the body with the necessary oxygen and nutrients at rest.

Over time, this adaptation signifies improved cardiovascular fitness, indicating that the body is more efficient in using oxygen and can sustain physical activity for longer periods. In contrast, the other options do not reflect long-term benefits of aerobic exercise; instead, they may indicate negative consequences or misconceptions associated with a lack of regular exercise. For example, an increased risk of injury might occur due to poor training practices rather than being an outcome of aerobic exercise itself. Likewise, regular aerobic exercise is typically associated with weight management rather than weight gain, and it enhances rather than reduces lung capacity through improved respiratory function.