What does a high resting heart rate indicate in a fitness context?

A high resting heart rate in a fitness context is typically indicative of poor cardiovascular fitness. When an individual has a higher resting heart rate, it suggests that the heart has to work harder to pump an adequate amount of blood and oxygen to the body's tissues while at rest. This is often a sign that the cardiovascular system may not be functioning efficiently, which is commonly associated with lower levels of aerobic fitness and endurance.

Athletes and individuals who are physically fit tend to have lower resting heart rates because their hearts are more efficient at pumping blood. Over time, regular cardiovascular training strengthens the heart muscle, allowing it to pump more blood with fewer beats, thus lowering the resting heart rate. Therefore, a high resting heart rate contrasts with the desired outcomes associated with improved cardiovascular health and fitness, reinforcing the idea that it may be a marker of inadequate cardiovascular conditioning.