Which training principle indicates that an increase in workload may enhance physical capabilities?

The principle that indicates an increase in workload may enhance physical capabilities is overload. This principle is fundamental in exercise physiology, as it suggests that in order to improve strength, endurance, or any other component of fitness, the body must be subjected to stresses that are greater than what it is accustomed to.

When training intensity, volume, or frequency is gradually increased—whether through lifting heavier weights, running longer distances, or performing more repetitions—this overload prompts the body to adapt to the new demands. Consequently, physical capabilities improve as the body becomes stronger and more efficient in response to the increased demands placed upon it.

This principle is essential for developing a structured training program, as it provides the foundation for progression and ongoing improvements in fitness levels. Without applying the overload principle, individuals may hit a plateau or fail to make meaningful progress in their training. Other concepts like specificity, adaptation, and rest play important roles in a comprehensive training strategy, but they do not directly imply that increasing workload leads to enhanced capabilities in the same direct way that overload does.