Which term describes the total volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute?

The term that describes the total volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute is cardiac output. Cardiac output is a crucial indicator of heart performance, calculated by multiplying the stroke volume (the amount of blood ejected from the heart with each beat) by the heart rate (the number of beats per minute). This measurement reflects how effectively the heart is delivering oxygenated blood to the body, which is vital during physical activity and for overall cardiovascular health.

Understanding cardiac output is essential for assessing the efficiency of the cardiovascular system and can be influenced by factors such as exercise intensity, hydration levels, and overall fitness. It highlights how the heart adjusts its pumping capacity to meet the body’s demands, making it a key concept in both exercise physiology and group fitness training.