A distinction is made between general and special endurance. The first is a part of the overall physical fitness of the athlete, the second is a part of special training.
If the work is not specific, the ability to perform it without changing the parameters is called general endurance, and if the work is more specific — special. Let's consider these concepts in more detail.
General endurance is a person's ability to perform any work of moderate intensity for a long and effective period of time, involving in the action of the global functioning of the muscular system (more than 2/3 of the muscles of the body participate in the work) and making rather high demands to the cardiovascular, respiratory, central nervous system, etc. Secondly, it is the ability to perform work with low intensity for a long time due to aerobic sources of energy supply. Therefore, it is also called aerobic endurance. Third, the term “overall endurance” means a set of functional properties of the body, which do not constitute a specific basis for manifestations of performance in various activities ... Fourth, it is the ability of a person to perform work of a non-specific nature for a long time and effectively, which has a positive impact on the development of specific components of human performance, due to the increased adaptation to loads and the presence of the phenomena of “transfer” of training from non-specific activities to specific ones. For example, a person who can withstand a long run at a moderate pace for a long time is able to perform other work at the same pace (swimming, cycling, etc.), because the level of development of aerobic capabilities of the body is a decisive factor in them.
The level of development and manifestation of general endurance is determined by the following components:
— aerobic capabilities of energy supply sources (through the use of oxidative reactions of oxygen);
Aerobic capabilities depend on:
1. Aerobic capacity, which is determined by the absolute and relative value of maximum oxygen consumption (MPC);
2. aerobic capacity — the total amount of oxygen consumption for all work.
— The degree of economy of movement technique (bio mechanical);
— level of development of volitional qualities.
Different authors give their definition of endurance, but they all agree that the general endurance is understood as the ability of a person to perform any work for a long period of time and without reducing its efficiency.
General endurance is the basis for high physical performance, which is necessary for successful professional activity; it plays an essential role in the optimization of life activity, acts as an important component of physical health, and in addition, general endurance serves as the basis for the development of special endurance, and it means that it is necessary for each athlete as a solid foundation, the basis on which to move to any other type of activity of narrower focus.
Special endurance is the ability to effectively perform work in a certain labor or sports activity, despite the emerging fatigue. Secondly, the term “special endurance” means the ability to withstand fatigue in the conditions of specific loads, especially with the maximum mobilization of the body's functional capabilities for achievements in the selected sport. Third, special endurance is not only the ability to fight fatigue, but also the ability to perform the task most effectively in a strictly limited distance (running, skiing, swimming, etc. cyclic sports) or a certain time (football, tennis, boxing, water polo, etc.).
Special endurance is a multi-component concept, because the level of its development depends on many factors and is conditioned by the peculiarities of the requirements to the body of the athlete in the exercise in a selected sport, and is determined by the specific preparedness of all organs and systems of the athlete, the level of his physiological and mental capabilities in relation to the type of motor activity.