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Updated: Aug 16, 2025

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans
Published on: October 17, 2018
Factors associated with high-level endurance performance: An expert consensus derived via the Delphi technique
Magdalena J Konopka1,2, Maurice P Zeegers1,2,3, Paul A Solberg4
1Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands.
Experts identified 26 key factors influencing endurance performance, including physiological and psychological elements. These "Factors for ENDurance Level" (FENDLE) can optimize athlete diagnostics and training strategies.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Human Performance
Background:
- Endurance performance is influenced by numerous factors, with limited consensus on their relative importance.
- Traditional metrics like VO2 max and lactate threshold do not fully explain elite athlete success.
- Identifying comprehensive factors is crucial for advancing training and diagnostics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and establish consensus on key factors influencing endurance performance among international experts.
- To develop a comprehensive list of determinants for elite endurance athletes.
- To create a framework for optimizing endurance performance assessment and training.
Main Methods:
- A Delphi technique with three anonymous evaluation rounds was employed.
- An initial list of 120 candidate factors was presented to a panel of international experts.
- Consensus was reached on factors achieving ≥70% agreement, with a final panel of 18 experts.
Main Results:
- A consensus report identified 26 key factors for endurance performance, termed "FENDLE" factors.
- These factors encompass physiological aspects (e.g., maximal oxygen consumption, running economy, metabolism, hematology) and psychological elements (e.g., motivation, stress resistance, confidence).
- Specific factors include endurance capacity, recovery speed, carbohydrate and fat metabolism, erythrocyte count, iron status, muscle fiber type, mitochondrial biogenesis, buffering capacity, hormonal status (testosterone, erythropoietin, cortisol), hydration, vitamin D, injury risk, tissue healing, and sleep quality.
Conclusions:
- The FENDLE factors provide an expert-derived, comprehensive summary of determinants for endurance performance.
- This consensus provides a valuable resource for refining diagnostic tools and personalizing training strategies for endurance athletes.
- The findings can guide technological advancements in athlete monitoring and performance enhancement.
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