During exercise, the cardiovascular system must supply muscles with large amounts of oxygen and fuel and get rid of a lot of wastes. How do the cardiovascular systems of athletes respond to prolonged exercise? Explain the advantage of the observed difference between current athletes and non-athletes in the graph shown here.

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1. The cardiovascular system of athletes adapts to prolonged exercise by increasing the efficiency of the heart, which can pump more blood per beat (increased stroke volume) and by enhancing the distribution of blood to the muscles through increased capillary density.
2. During prolonged exercise, athletes also experience an increase in the maximum volume of oxygen they can use (VO2 max), which is crucial for high-intensity endurance activities. This is due to both an increase in cardiac output and more efficient oxygen extraction by the muscles.
3. The graph likely shows a comparison between the resting and active heart rates, stroke volumes, or VO2 max of athletes versus non-athletes. Athletes typically have lower resting heart rates and higher stroke volumes and VO2 max, indicating a more efficient cardiovascular system.
4. The advantage of these differences is that athletes can perform at higher intensities and for longer durations without fatigue. This is because their cardiovascular systems can supply more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and remove waste products more effectively during exercise.
5. Understanding these adaptations can help in designing better training programs that can improve cardiovascular efficiency even in non-athletes, potentially leading to better overall health and fitness.