The Metabolism
There are many chemical components to endurance. None are more significant than the metabolic activities that provide energy for muscles, help regulate recovery, control hydration, influence fat burning, and other actions. These are accomplished by a variety of compounds that regulate our metabolism in three ways:
- hormones produced in our many glands;
- hormonelike compounds that are created virtually everywhere; and
- the production of energy by the conversion of food.
These three categories of metabolic activity are influenced by training, by the brain as discussed above, and through lifestyle factors such as diet and stress. In turn, these metabolic activities help build endurance. Let’s discuss each category.
