 
 
 1 
S7 Table. Results of round 3. 
Factors rated in round 3; n=22. 
 
Factor 
 
Level of agreement 
(%) 
Training 
Endurance capacitya,b 
72,2 
Recovery speed† 
66,7 
Metabolism 
Angiogenesis (=formation of new blood vessels)b 
55,6 
Body 
Muscle fibres - transformation capacity (type 1 vs. type 
2) 
55,6 
Weight / BMI 
44,4 
Total fat mass 
50,0 
Lean mass (=mass of all organs except body fat 
including bones, muscles, blood, skin) 
44,4 
Tendon stiffness 
55,6 
Hormones 
Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) level 
55,6 
Growth hormone level 
66,7 
Nutrition 
Vitamin B complex vitamins (B1-12) deficiencyb 
55,6 
Immune 
system 
Blood pressure regulation 
50,0 
Healing function of soft tissue 
50,0 
Injuries 
Risk of joint injuries 
66,7 
Risk of upper respiratory tract infectionsb 
66,7 
Psychological  
Emotion regulation 
66,7 
Pain sensitivityb 
50,0 
Self-control 
50,0 
Resilience capacity 
50,0 
Concentration capacity 
44,4 
Environment 
Heat resistance capacity 
50,0 
Altitude training sensitivity 
55,6 
aLevel of agreement achieved 70% threshold and therefore was included in the consensus report. 
bLevel of agreement changed compared to round 2. 

Factors associated with high-level endurance performance: An expert consensus derived via the Delphi technique.
Konopka, Magdalena J,Zeegers, Maurice P,Solberg, Paul A,Delhaije, Louis,Meeusen, Romain,Ruigrok, Geert,Rietjens, Gerard,Sperlich, Billy