What is cardiorespiratory fitness?

Cardiorespiratory fitness refers specifically to the ability of the heart, lungs, and circulatory system to deliver oxygen to the body’s muscles during prolonged physical activities, as well as the ability of those muscles to utilize that oxygen. This definition underscores the importance of efficient oxygen transport and utilization for sustaining endurance activities, which is essential in various aerobic workouts and sports.

While lifting weights, sprinting short distances, and performing yoga poses can contribute to an individual's overall fitness, they do not capture the comprehensive essence of cardiorespiratory fitness. Weightlifting primarily focuses on muscular strength, while sprinting emphasizes anaerobic capacity over sustained aerobic endurance. Yoga, while beneficial for flexibility and balance, does not primarily target the cardiovascular and respiratory systems to the extent required to develop cardiorespiratory fitness. Thus, the correct answer clearly highlights the critical role of the heart and lungs in supporting sustained physical activity through efficient oxygen supply and utilization.