Physical Endurance
Speed alone is not enough. The ability to last is at the core of most types of competition. Winning athletes are the ones that can perform with consistent speed and strength for prolonged periods of time. Many competitive events are actually won or lost at the point of peak physical exhaustion. The ability for the cardiovascular system to endure high output for a prolonged period of time is essential. This is why cardiovascular endurance is a core element of every competitive fitness program. Often overlooked and underestimated in importance, the ability of the musculoskeletal system to endure heavy usage for a prolonged period of time is equally essential. Muscular endurance is different than muscle strength in that it involves the ability to consistently deliver power and force over an extended period of time. Athletes will good muscular endurance will be best able to exert a winning effort at the most critical point of competition.
- Improve Cardiovascular Endurance
- Improve Muscular Endurance
Mental Endurance
The “mental game” also involves the ability to perform cognitively under conditions of stress, fatigue, and pain. Mental endurance refers to ability to resist or delay reaching the point of mental exhaustion. The athlete is first trained to mentally process and problem solve with greater speed. The athlete must then be able to replicate this performance for a prolonged period of time and when becoming increasingly tired. The “mentally strong” competitor is strong in large part due to lasting and not mentally quitting due to physical or emotional fatigue. Athletes are also trained to maintain emotional balance under such conditions of physical stress and pain when others would likely quit or concede defeat. A negative emotional reaction to pain and adversity can lead to greater fatigue and decision-making errors. The athlete that can emotionally endure through prolonged stress of this type will not tire out as quickly and will not make the same types of mental errors. These aspects of the mental game can be taught and trained up to create a daunting competitor.
- Maintain processing & problem solving speed under conditions of physical fatigue, stress, and pain.
- Maintain emotional balance under conditions of physical fatigue, stress, and pain.