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Definition of Endurance

A brief overview of endurance.

Classification of endurance

Long-term endurance: in efforts lasting more than 15–30 minutes, when neither pace nor intensity decreases. The energy supply process is aerobic, during which cardiac output increases.
Mid-distance endurance: refers to efforts lasting between 2 and 9 minutes. It involves both aerobic and anaerobic processes. The higher the exercise intensity, the larger the proportion of anaerobic energy production.
Short-term endurance: between 45 seconds and 2 minutes. Important factors are the conditioning of energy stores, the capacity for oxygen-deficient energy production, and the ability of muscles to contract despite high lactate levels.
Strength endurance plays a role in activities performed against high resistance (wrestling, artistic gymnastics), as well as in mid- and long-distance endurance sports. During strength-endurance training, special exercises are needed to increase the body's resistance to fatigue.
Speed endurance is the resistance to the decrease in speed caused by fatigue.

the amount of stored energy
the quality of metabolism
the ability to utilize oxygen
the storage and detoxification capacity of the liver and other organs; the functioning of the endocrine system
the coordinated functioning of organs and organ systems; neural regulation
morphological determinants of muscle fiber structure and distribution; the amount of working muscle (a higher proportion of slow-twitch fibers leads to more stable endurance)
the level of movement coordination and technical skill (more economical, more efficient movements)
psychological traits (e.g., pain tolerance)
the magnitude of the resistance/load
current conditioning state
the nature of the work performed

slow-twitch muscle fibers are recruited in the trained muscles
the metabolism of (muscle) cells improves (oxygen utilization, energy-producing processes, removal of metabolites)
the resistance of (muscle) cells to toxins improves (function is not impaired even at higher metabolite levels)
blood supply to the muscles improves; vessel walls become more elastic; the total vascular cross-sectional area increases (capillary proliferation)
the heart's work becomes more economical and efficient (it pumps a larger blood volume at a lower heart rate)
resting heart rate and resting blood pressure decrease
during exertion, the increase in heart rate and blood pressure remains moderate
blood viscosity decreases (less dense, so it flows more easily through vessels and capillaries)
the autonomic nervous system shifts toward parasympathetic dominance

lung and heart volumes increase, and organ size may grow
total hemoglobin content increases
peripheral oxygen utilization improves
liver functions become more efficient (energy production, removal of metabolites)
endocrine glands enlarge (adrenal cortex, anterior pituitary lobe, thyroid, pancreatic islets)
activity of metabolic enzymes increases

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