What type of exercise is best for improving muscle endurance in athletes?

Low-intensity continuous training is particularly effective for improving muscle endurance in athletes because it involves performing prolonged exercises at a steady pace, which helps build both aerobic and muscular endurance. By focusing on maintaining a lower intensity over an extended period, this approach encourages the muscles to adapt to sustained activity. Such training enhances the muscle's ability to resist fatigue, thus enabling athletes to perform at a high level for longer durations during events or competitions. This type of training often includes activities like distance running, cycling, or swimming at a comfortable pace, which can significantly boost endurance without overexerting the body.

In contrast, high-intensity interval training, while beneficial for cardiovascular fitness and explosive power, does not focus primarily on endurance. Explosive strength training primarily targets power and strength rather than the endurance aspect. Static stretching, although useful for flexibility, does not contribute to muscle endurance; it is a method used to improve the range of motion around joints without engaging the muscles in a sustained effort. Therefore, low-intensity continuous training stands out as the optimal choice for improving muscle endurance among the options provided.