Task Failure in Endurance Sports: A Review

Abstract

Task failure in endurance sports represents a complex and multifaceted phenomenon likely arising from the dynamic and intricate interaction between peripheral and central mechanisms. Traditional models of fatigue have long emphasized a gradual and inevitable decline in performance because of metabolic, neuromuscular, and cardiovascular limitations. Research has also highlighted that task failure may not only be a product of this progressive deterioration but could also result from acute and unpredictable disruptions at the central level (e.g., psychological factors such as perceived effort) that compromise the athlete’s ability to sustain effort. This review examines the existing literature on task failure, critically describing what is currently known about the influence of peripheral (physiological processes at the skeletal muscle and neuromuscular junction) and central mechanisms (neural processes in the brain and spinal cord, which may integrate physiological and psychological components). Finally, we identify gaps in the current literature and propose directions for future research to refine our understanding of the interplay between peripheral and central contributors to task failure, emphasizing the need for integrative approaches to optimize endurance performance.