Well-developed endurance enables the athlete to perform sports skills at the desired level over a longer time or distance without fatigue or loss of concentration.
We distinguish between basic endurance, which is not related to a particular sport, and specific endurance, which is determined by the characteristics of a particular sport. At the earlier stages of athletic development, the emphasis is on the development of basic endurance, and the end of puberty marks the beginning of the development of specific endurance.
Since during the sports season, in addition to improving sports skills, exercises for the development of strength, coordination, speed, and agility should be integrated into the training sessions, there is not much time left for the development of endurance. For this reason, it is recommended to use the pre-season, or the so-called preparatory period, for the targeted development of endurance.When designing an endurance development programme, one should consider the stage of athletic development, the current level of endurance as well as the willpower of each individual young athlete, and after puberty, the energy-supplying sources being relevant for the sport the young athlete does.
Unfortunately, some coaches still habitually plan a high-volume and high-intensity endurance training for the beginning of the season to quickly get athletes in shape. Young athletes have a hard time enduring such training, and they often get injured because they have not been active enough in the off-season; therefore, they are not ready for inappropriately high loads.
Here are a few specific principles critical for the proper implementation of endurance training:
Begin with basic aerobic endurance;
Athletes should train throughout the entire year with seasonal variations in training methods (roller skating, bicycle riding, swimming, rowing, skiing, and skating);
Get in shape gradually;
Maintain a training regimen (several weeks without training may require months of training for the athlete to return to the previous level of endurance);
Teach children to “listen” to their body (responses to exertion like muscle soreness, breathlessness, chest pain, etc.);
Increase the volume of training first, do not rush to increase its intensity;
Training plan and programme should not exploit athletes’ entire energy needed also for healthy growth and development.
For learning the types of endurance training as well as corresponding training methods and contents that are in line with the stages of athletic development, look for our resource: book “Formula for Success in Sports 1".
Wishing you success,
Igor Macner
