How does endurance training typically affect body composition?

How does endurance training typically affect body composition?

• A. Endurance increases fat-free mass.
• B. Endurance reduces fat mass and can reduce overall body weight.
• C. Endurance increases fat mass.
• D. Endurance has no effect on body composition.

Answer: (B)

Endurance training mainly increases energy expenditure and fat oxidation over time, so stored fat is used to fuel the activity and recoverability needs. This leads to a reduction in fat mass. If the energy deficit is sustained, overall body weight often decreases as fat mass drops. Endurance training by itself doesn't usually increase fat-free mass to a large extent; gains in lean tissue are more typical with resistance training or very high-intensity programs with adequate protein. So the typical pattern is a decrease in fat mass, with possible weight loss—matching the statement that endurance reduces fat mass and can reduce overall body weight.