A wide range of performance determinants are measured in high-level endurance athletes. These include exercise economy, speed and power output at maximal oxygen uptake (vVO2max and wVO2max), the muscle power factor defined as maximal anaerobic velocity (vMART), time to exhaustion testing, as well as short-term and long-term endurance time trial performance. Both the cardiovascular system and the neuromuscular system can have an impact on these performance markers. Resistance training can improve neuromuscular efficiency, increase the ratio of fatigue resistant fast twitch IIA fibres and improve musculotendon stiffness in athletes. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to investigate the effect of strength training on performance indicators in highly trained endurance athletes. Numerous electronic databases were searched using Boolean cues and the key words strength training, resistance training, concurrent training, plyometrics, endurance athletes and performance to source appropriate articles. In total, 26 articles that investigated the effect of resistance training on performance in endurance athletes were included in this review. The results showed that resistance training was effective in improving endurance specific muscle power factors vVO2max, wVO2max and vMART. Gains in exercise economy, time trial performance, and time to exhaustion were also observed in elite level endurance athletes that undertook resistance training. Resistance training programs involving maximal strength or explosive loading, involving sport specific movements and completed a minimum of twice a week were shown to be the most beneficial. As such, the present available research justifies the use of resistance training as part of an elite endurance athlete`s training program to enhance performance.
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