Endurance

Endurance is the ability of an organism to exert itself and remain active for a long period of time, as well as its ability to resist, withstand, recover from, and have immunity to trauma, wounds, or fatigue. It is usually used in aerobic or anaerobic exercise.

Overview

The term endurance is broad in scope and can refer to several different aspects of physical fitness. In general, it refers to the ability to continue performing a task for an extended period of time. This can include anything from running a marathon to simply being able to stand or sit for long periods without fatigue.

Types of Endurance

There are two types of endurance, both of which are important for overall fitness:

• Aerobic endurance - This refers to the ability of the cardiovascular system to deliver oxygen to the muscles and remove waste products during prolonged physical activity. This type of endurance is often associated with activities such as running, cycling, and swimming.

• Anaerobic endurance - This refers to the ability of the muscles to work in the absence of oxygen. This type of endurance is often associated with activities such as weight lifting and sprinting.

Training for Endurance

Training for endurance involves a variety of techniques, including:

• Long, slow distance training - This involves performing an activity at a low intensity for a long period of time. This type of training is often used by marathon runners.

• Interval training - This involves alternating between periods of high-intensity and low-intensity activity. This type of training can help improve both aerobic and anaerobic endurance.

• Fartlek training - This is a combination of long, slow distance training and interval training. It involves varying the intensity of the activity throughout the workout.

Benefits of Endurance Training

Endurance training has a number of benefits, including:

• Improved cardiovascular health
• Increased lung capacity
• Improved muscular strength and endurance
• Increased bone density
• Improved mental health

See Also

• Aerobic exercise
• Anaerobic exercise
• Cardiovascular fitness
• Physical fitness

References

Endurance Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? WikiMD's DocFinder can help find general and specialist physicians.	Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials.