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In simple terms, stamina can be described as the capability of sustaining prolonged stressful effort. It can be more accurately defined in two main ways: as the moral or mental strength to resist or withstand illness, fatigue, hardship or duress; or as the capacity to endure physical stress, to withstand demanding physical activity, tiredness, or sickness. Inherent in both these definitions is the notion of perseverance which includes characteristics such as commitment, hard work, patience and endurance.

Individuals can experience difficulties with their stamina for a number of different reasons. It may be that they have difficulties with their physical stamina which could be as a result of physical impairments, or the fact that they experience pain associated with certain movements. They may also experience problems associated with the level of stamina required to stay on top of a heavy workload or reading load. Mental stamina could be affected by visual or language difficulties, such as dyslexia, and this can result in individuals having to work almost twice as hard as other learners in order to keep up. Mental stamina can also be affected by prescribed medication for a range of conditions.

Although most people depend on stamina in the following employability skills, this does not mean that people who have difficulties with stamina cannot possess these skills; rather, they may need reasonable adjustments to practice to enable them to develop or evidence the skills. 

Please click on the links below for a generic description of each employability skill that may be affected by limited stamina.

• Practicals
  
• Work Under Pressure
  

Click below to read about the possible effects of limited stamina on the specified skills as well as adjustments to practice/inclusive strategies.

• Stamina and Practicals
  
• Stamina and Working Under Pressure