Considerations for Endurance Sports

Endurance sports are those in which the predominant form of energy metabolism is oxidative (it occurs in the presence of oxygen). Aerobic athletes must be capable of acquiring and delivering enough oxygen to the working muscles to support the physical work that is being done. Endurance work occurs at intensities below a person's maximal work capacity. By definition, working at a higher or maximal capacity exceeds the athlete's capacity to meet oxygen needs. Sprinters, who are working at maximal capacity, can run very fast but only for relatively short distances. Endurance athletes can't run as fast as sprinters but can go much longer distances because they are metabolizing energy using a much more clean-burning and energy-efficient oxidative system. To maintain the efficiency of their systems, endurance athletes should consider factors that can influence their aerobic capacity, including overtraining, overuse injuries, and dietary adequacy.

Overtraining

Overuse Injuries

Dietary Adequacy