How does stroke volume in children compare to that in adults?

In children, stroke volume—the amount of blood pumped by the heart with each beat—is generally lower compared to adults. This difference can be attributed to various physiological factors, including heart size and body composition. Children typically have a higher heart rate to compensate for this lower stroke volume, which helps ensure adequate cardiac output during physical activity.

As children grow, their hearts develop and increase in size, leading to an increase in stroke volume. This change means that while children may have a higher heart rate, their stroke volume remains comparatively lower than that of adults because their cardiovascular systems are still maturing. In adults, the larger heart size allows for a greater stroke volume, and with typically lower resting heart rates, adults achieve a stable and more efficient cardiac output during various levels of exertion. Understanding these differences is crucial for fitness professionals when developing age-appropriate exercise programs and assessing cardiovascular health across different age groups.