After a minor injury, how long does it typically take for noticeable decreases in performance due to a lack of endurance training?

The correct answer, two weeks, aligns with the understanding of how quickly the body can start to lose endurance and overall fitness following a minor injury and subsequent cessation of training.

Research indicates that after about two weeks of inactivity, significant declines in cardiovascular endurance can begin to manifest. This occurs due to a couple of physiological processes: first, the decrease in plasma volume and changes in muscle enzyme activity, which are crucial for endurance performance, and second, the loss of adaptations in the cardiovascular and muscular systems that support sustained physical activity.

While some light fitness may be maintained with reduced activity, the lack of structured endurance training over this time frame negatively impacts performance. It’s during this period that both aerobic capacity and muscular endurance start to wane, making two weeks a critical threshold for noticeable performance decreases after minor injuries.