How is muscle endurance best defined?

Muscle endurance is best defined as the ability to sustain muscle contraction over time. This definition emphasizes the capacity of a muscle or group of muscles to continue exerting force without experiencing fatigue. It is particularly important in various physical activities that require prolonged engagement of specific muscles, such as running, swimming, or cycling, where repetitive motions are performed over an extended period.

Understanding muscle endurance as sustaining contraction also aligns with its applications in occupational therapy, where enhancing endurance can support patients in regaining functional independence in daily activities. While the other concepts — muscle tension, involuntary muscle responses, and contraction speed — relate to different aspects of muscle function, they do not capture the essence of endurance, which specifically pertains to the duration a muscle can be utilized effectively without exhaustion.