Abstract
This paper describes the various types of endurance sports. Since there are many types of these sports, only a few have been highlighted, and, notably, endurance sports are demanding hence they need a lot of motivation. The main important tool required for success in endurance sport is the dedication to training and proper nutrition. This keeps the athletes in form and fits for the competitions which may take place once a year. It is, therefore, important for the participants to observe these instructions for a promising career in endurance sports.
Introduction
Endurance sports refer to games events that involve an immense deal of staying power, compared to short durations of physical activity. Though endurance sports are not clearly defined and classified, it is possible to tell between non-endurance and endurance sports. A simple example to differentiate between endurance sports is Marathon and short races. It is clearly shown that marathon is an endurance sport when compared to short races. These sports mainly involve individual efforts hence they do not attract much attention as compared to team sports. The sports are also based majorly on motivation and training, unlike other sports mainly based on action hence a wide range of possible results. There are various categories of endurance sports. Discussed below, are part of the categories.
Main body
Ultra marathons are types of endurance sports that involve running longer distances superseding the normal marathon. The normal marathon covers 42.195 kilometers while ultra-marathons cover between 50kilometers and 100 kilometers. This type of endurance sport is categorized into two fields, the first type involves activities carried over a specific distance while the other type involves activities in a particular time. These types of events may take place only once a year but require a lot of exercise and training for fitness and the ability to finish the race (Doyle 67). Ultra marathons are carried out in different forms ranging from cross country races, trail races to multiple loops.
Participation in ultramarathons is associated with harsh challenges mainly during training and competitions. These include competing on gravel roads, sloppy areas, and high mountains of rocky terrains. The main purpose is to bring out the endurance of the competitors and their ability to survive harsh conditions. The harsh conditions are, however, taken care of by the availability of aid locations that offer first aid and provide drinks and food in specific intervals for nutritional value and energy. There are several organizations administering ultra marathons that organize the events and competitions taking place all over the world. This is normally done to ensure the relevance of the sport (Dietmar 49).
Another type of endurance sport is road cycling. The event involves racing bicycles with competitors arranged concurrently. The race aims to complete a particular distance in the shortest possible period. The event is popular all over the world but has its main basis in European countries. This sport involves cycling over long distances. The most common type of this sport is coast-to-coast cycling without stop over’s. The competitors normally compete for almost 3000 miles without stopping (Dietmar 46).
This race lasts for almost seven days hence requires a lot of endurance. The winner of the competition is determined by crossing over the line of completion. However, the sports are more aerobic and need lots of tactics to win the race. The races, just like the ultra marathons need extensive endurance since there are harsh hurdles in the course of the competition. This entails riding up on mountainous regions, steep slopes and sharp bens. This enables competitors to show their skills hence lean advantage over the weaker racers.
Ultra man, also known as triathlon forms another event of endurance sports. The sport involves three sporting activities including running, bicycle competitions, and swimming which take place respectively until competitors are through at a specified time. The winners of these events are defined by covering most of the events and completion in the given time. The specified requirements of triathlons vary according to different organizations but share the same logic.
Success in this sport is achieved by extensive efforts in training all the events amounting to the competition and proper conditioning. Similar to other endurance sports, the rules for triathlon vary in different countries and different organizations. However, the standard distances used in Olympics 1.5/40/10 in the order of swimming, riding and running respectively. Iron man is a type of triathlon governed by the WTC.
Conclusion
Endurance sports require proper nutrition and exercise to enhance the participant’s performance. Proper nutrition rules dictate that an endurance sport athlete should balance the water intake. This is because the water intake may affect his competing ability due to overhydration (Eberle 33). The athletes should also use foods with complex carbohydrates to get appropriate amounts of calories. To enhance the performance of athletes, consumption of proteins should be avoided during long periods of training. This reduces the recovery time after training sessions and competitions, decreases soreness and keeps the athletes more healthy (Doyle 65).
Nutrition is an important tool for endurance sports athletes. There are many categories of endurance sports with different requirements of nutrients to the body. These sports also require dedication and motivation to keep fit for the competition though they are very few competitions of these events. The competitions are demanding and need extra time for training to enable proper fitness for participation in competition without suffering from fatigue.
Works cited
Dietmar, Luchtenberg. Supplementary Training for Endurance Sports: Optimize Performance – Avoid Overloading. California: Meyer & Meyer Verlag, 2007. Print.
Doyle, Dunford. Nutrition for Sport and Exercise, London: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2008. Print.
Eberle, Suzzanne. Sports nutrition. New York: Human Kinetics, 2007. Print.