What is endurance?
Endurance refers to the ability to withstand or sustain an activity over a long period of time. It involves persisting through challenges and tolerating discomfort for an extended duration.
Some key aspects of endurance include:
- Cardiovascular endurance: The ability of the heart and lungs to supply oxygen and nutrients to muscles over time. This supports sustained aerobic exercise like running, swimming, cycling, etc.
- Muscular endurance: The ability of muscles to contract repeatedly or to remain contracted for a prolonged time. This allows activities like planks, wall sits, bearing loads, etc.
So what enables endurance? High endurance relies on multiple body systems:
- Cardiovascular & respiratory systems - Supplying oxygen and nutrients
- Muscular system - Efficiently using energy stores and resisting fatigue
- Nervous system - Regulating muscle contractions over time
- Metabolic systems - Delivering and processing energy to sustain work
Intrinsic motivation and mental stamina are also key. Pushing through "the wall" often requires grit and strong in-the-moment focus to tolerate discomfort.
Building endurance takes time but offers great rewards. It:
- Enables sustained participation in sports and activities
- Supports cardiovascular and metabolic health
- Helps prevent injury through sustained muscle action
- Promotes resilience to push through challenges
"Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory." - William Barclay