Which aspect of physical fitness can be improved through activities like cycling and running?

Cycling and running are both cardiovascular activities that primarily enhance aerobic capacity, which refers to the ability of the heart, lungs, and circulatory system to supply oxygen to the muscles during sustained physical activity. These activities increase the efficiency of the cardiovascular system, improve lung capacity, and enhance overall endurance, allowing individuals to perform prolonged exercise with less fatigue.

Aerobic capacity is a crucial component of overall fitness and is essential for activities that require sustained efforts such as long-distance running or cycling. As people engage in these activities regularly, they build their aerobic base, which leads to better performance and increased stamina over time.

In contrast, while activities like cycling and running can contribute to some degree of muscular endurance, flexibility, and balance, those benefits are not the primary focus of these exercises. Muscular endurance primarily concerns the ability of muscles to sustain repeated contractions over time; flexibility is about the range of motion in joints; and balance relates to the ability to maintain stability.