The Physiology of Endurance Training

The Physiology of Endurance Training

In this introductory course WKO Product lead, Tim Cusick, discusses the basic principles and systems of human performance so coaches and self-coached athletes can better understand the physiology of the training athlete.

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About this course

Understand the effect your physiology has on your performance.

We all want to improve performance, but it’s difficult to plan effectively without understanding the underlying physiology behind an athlete’s movements and adaptations. Join Tim Cusick, WKO Product Lead, for an introduction to the basic principles and systems of human performance. By the end of the course, you will have a foundational understanding of the physiology of the training endurance athlete, which will help coaches and athletes train smarter and perform better.


What you will learn

Basic terminology

Become an expert in physiological definitions and apply that knowledge to your training.

Energy systems

Identify the three energy systems and learn how they apply to an athlete’s performance.

Training relationship

Learn how physiological systems adapt as endurance athletes train and recover.


Earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Complete the course and assessments to earn CEUs and make progress toward TrainingPeaks Certification.
USA Cycling - 2 CEUs

Meet your instructor


Tim Cusick is a USA Cycling Coach and has been coaching and guiding camps for over ten years. As a master level coach, Tim coaches pro and masters cyclist and has taken several to the top, including world and national championship titles, including pros Amber Neben and Emma Grant. Tim is also the product leader for TrainingPeaks WKO5 Software, working with Dr. Andy Coggan and programmer Kevin Williams in developing cutting edge analytical training software. As a cyclist, Tim jumped into cycling after a successful college track career. He started with mountain biking and moved right to the top, racing at the elite level for a nationally ranked team. He then got into road and cyclocross racing, as well as competing in long endurance events. Tim currently trains and rides daily, always ready for the next cycling adventure trip or cycling camp. Tim is the TrainingPeaks go-to guy for live webinars, seminars, articles, and videos on power education and WKO5. Check out the TrainingPeaks' blog for numerous articles and videos, many by Tim Cusick. 
                

Curriculum120 min

  • Introduction
  • Course Overview 5 min
  • 1: Introduction to Exercise Physiology
  • Preview
    Key Terms and Why Study Physiology? 7 min
  • Response to Exercise 9 min
  • 2: Energy Systems
  • Introduction to Energy Systems 11 min
  • Anaerobic Energy 8 min
  • Aerobic Energy 11 min
  • Passthrough and Interrelationships 11 min
  • 3: Muscular System
  • Introduction to the Muscular System 6 min
  • Training Adaptations 7 min
  • 4: Cardiovascular System
  • Introduction to the Cardiovascular System 4 min
  • VO2 Max 9 min
  • 5: Respiratory System
  • Introduction to the Respiratory System 4 min
  • 6: Endocrine System
  • Introduction to the Endocrine System 4 min
  • Key Roles for Metabolism 17 min
  • Key Roles for Strength 7 min

About this course

Understand the effect your physiology has on your performance.

We all want to improve performance, but it’s difficult to plan effectively without understanding the underlying physiology behind an athlete’s movements and adaptations. Join Tim Cusick, WKO Product Lead, for an introduction to the basic principles and systems of human performance. By the end of the course, you will have a foundational understanding of the physiology of the training endurance athlete, which will help coaches and athletes train smarter and perform better.


What you will learn

Basic terminology

Become an expert in physiological definitions and apply that knowledge to your training.

Energy systems

Identify the three energy systems and learn how they apply to an athlete’s performance.

Training relationship

Learn how physiological systems adapt as endurance athletes train and recover.


Earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Complete the course and assessments to earn CEUs and make progress toward TrainingPeaks Certification.
USA Cycling - 2 CEUs

Meet your instructor


Tim Cusick is a USA Cycling Coach and has been coaching and guiding camps for over ten years. As a master level coach, Tim coaches pro and masters cyclist and has taken several to the top, including world and national championship titles, including pros Amber Neben and Emma Grant. Tim is also the product leader for TrainingPeaks WKO5 Software, working with Dr. Andy Coggan and programmer Kevin Williams in developing cutting edge analytical training software. As a cyclist, Tim jumped into cycling after a successful college track career. He started with mountain biking and moved right to the top, racing at the elite level for a nationally ranked team. He then got into road and cyclocross racing, as well as competing in long endurance events. Tim currently trains and rides daily, always ready for the next cycling adventure trip or cycling camp. Tim is the TrainingPeaks go-to guy for live webinars, seminars, articles, and videos on power education and WKO5. Check out the TrainingPeaks' blog for numerous articles and videos, many by Tim Cusick. 
                

Curriculum120 min

  • Introduction
  • Course Overview 5 min
  • 1: Introduction to Exercise Physiology
  • Preview
    Key Terms and Why Study Physiology? 7 min
  • Response to Exercise 9 min
  • 2: Energy Systems
  • Introduction to Energy Systems 11 min
  • Anaerobic Energy 8 min
  • Aerobic Energy 11 min
  • Passthrough and Interrelationships 11 min
  • 3: Muscular System
  • Introduction to the Muscular System 6 min
  • Training Adaptations 7 min
  • 4: Cardiovascular System
  • Introduction to the Cardiovascular System 4 min
  • VO2 Max 9 min
  • 5: Respiratory System
  • Introduction to the Respiratory System 4 min
  • 6: Endocrine System
  • Introduction to the Endocrine System 4 min
  • Key Roles for Metabolism 17 min
  • Key Roles for Strength 7 min
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