Adherence issues in aerobic exercise programs can mainly affect which of the following?

Adherence issues in aerobic exercise programs primarily impact a patient's willingness to continue participation. Consistency and sustained engagement in an exercise regimen are crucial for reaping the long-term benefits of aerobic exercise, particularly in rehabilitation scenarios such as stroke recovery. If patients do not feel motivated or encounter barriers to participation—such as discomfort, lack of interest, or insufficient support—they are less likely to stick with the program. This can lead to suboptimal outcomes in their rehabilitation process.

While factors such as the development of new exercise techniques, cost implications, and selection of exercise types may play important roles in the overall structure and accessibility of an exercise program, they are not as directly connected to the patients' ongoing participation as adherence issues are. The central aspect of adherence is the patient's psychological and motivational state toward continuing the regimen, which is fundamental in achieving the desired health benefits.