Training for endurance sport.

1) An endurance athlete's performance level is determined largely by three physiological variables: maximal aerobic power, lactate threshold, and economy. Training strategies should be directed toward improvement of these factors. 2) Successful endurance training programs typically include an individually constructed combination of three major training strategies. These are long duration, moderate intensity training; moderate duration, high intensity training; and short duration, very high intensity training. 3) Endurance training involves a large daily expenditure of energy, and much of this energy is derived from catabolism of carbohydrates. Accordingly, it is essential that the endurance athlete's diet be rich in complex carbohydrates and provide the total amount of energy needed to maintain energy balance.