How is an increase in exercise tolerance measured in physical conditioning?

An increase in exercise tolerance is most commonly measured by the increased walking distance. This is because as an individual's physical conditioning improves, they are typically able to engage in physical activity for longer periods or cover greater distances without experiencing undue fatigue or adverse effects. Walking distance acts as a practical and observable outcome that reflects overall physical endurance and cardiovascular fitness.

In contrast, while blood pressure monitoring, heart rate variability, and respiratory rate can provide valuable insights into cardiovascular health and physiological responses to exercise, they do not directly correlate with the subjective experience of exercise tolerance. Increased walking distance serves as a more straightforward and relevant measure of an individual's ability to perform physical activity over time and thus effectively indicates improvements in conditioning.