Understanding Muscular Endurance: Training and Physiology

This chapter explores the concept of muscular endurance, focusing on its definition and importance in performing repeated movements. It discusses training protocols and the physiological aspects that enhance performance in long-duration activities.

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In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explain how to build endurance and describe targeted protocols to enhance different types of endurance.

I discuss how endurance—the ability to sustain effort—requires the coordination of physical and mental systems driven by energy availability, brain willpower, and specific training adaptations in the muscles, heart, lungs and neurons. I explain conditioning protocols designed to enhance four types of endurance, from long-duration steady state to muscular endurance and high-intensity intervals, and how each training style triggers unique adaptations in the body and brain, such as improved mitochondrial function and oxygen utilization. Additionally, I highlight the crucial role of hydration and electrolytes, which are essential for neural function and influence the brain’s willpower to sustain effort.

Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.

Huberman Lab Essentials are short episodes focused on essential science and protocol takeaways from past full-length Huberman Lab episodes. Watch or listen to the full-length episode at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hubermanlab.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Timestamps

00:00:00 Huberman Lab Essentials; Build Endurance

00:00:50 Energy Sources, ATP, Oxygen

00:04:14 Neurons & Willpower, Glucose & Electrolytes

00:09:19 Heart, Lungs; Physiology & Performance Limiting Factors

00:10:35 Sponsor: AG1

00:12:30 Muscular Endurance, Protocol, Concentric Movements, Mitochondria