Which component of fitness is closely associated with cardiovascular endurance?

Cardiovascular endurance refers to the ability of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels to deliver oxygen to the working muscles during prolonged physical activity. This endurance is directly linked to aerobic capacity, which measures how well the body can perform exercise involving large muscle groups over a sustained period.

Aerobic capacity is typically assessed through activities that require sustained oxygen intake, such as running, swimming, or cycling. A well-developed aerobic capacity allows for increased efficiency in utilizing oxygen, enhancing endurance and overall cardiovascular health. Therefore, the connection between cardiovascular endurance and aerobic capacity is foundational in physical fitness, as improvements in one often lead to improvements in the other.

Other options such as muscular strength, flexibility, and body composition do not directly relate to the efficiency of oxygen delivery and utilization during sustained activities, thus making them less relevant to the concept of cardiovascular endurance.