For runners, walkers, bicyclists, swimmers, rowers, or anyone else who practices general aerobic fitness at a gym, training is the key to improved performance. Training takes place in an effort to “break the body down” with the hope that breakdown(training) and recovery events (recovery time between workouts) lead to a more efficient or trained metabolic system for physiological and nutrition purposes, improved mechanics, and a better mindset (psychological).  

Relative to the metabolic system, at a basic level, the factors that determine performance are: