Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefining StaminaEffects of Low StaminaEffects of High StaminaHow to Build Stamina
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Defining Stamina
Effects of Low Stamina
Effects of High Stamina
How to Build Stamina
Stamina is defined as “the physical and/or mental strength to do something that might be difficult and will take a long time,” according to the Cambridge Dictionary.Stamina can also be referred to as staying power or be described as having a feeling of a lot of “pep” or energy.
The word “endurance” is sometimes used interchangeably with “stamina,” but they aren’t quite the same.
This article discusses different types of stamina, the effects of low or high stamina, and how to improve stamina.
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Stamina vs. EnduranceStamina refers to the ability to put forth maximal (the highest) effort over a period of time (which can include rest breaks), while endurance is the ability to perform an activity for a maximal or prolonged period of time.
Stamina vs. Endurance
Stamina refers to the ability to put forth maximal (the highest) effort over a period of time (which can include rest breaks), while endurance is the ability to perform an activity for a maximal or prolonged period of time.
The three types of stamina are physical, mental, and sexual.
Physical Stamina
Physical stamina is the ability to put forth maximal effort during a physical activity, or bursts of physical effort, over a period of time.Stamina is often confused with endurance, which is defined as the ability to perform a physical activity for a prolonged period of time—but they are not the same.
For example, a game of football requires physical stamina—short bursts of maximal effort with rest breaks in between. However, running a marathon—26.2 miles at submaximal effort—requires physical endurance.
Mental Stamina
Mental stamina is sometimes referred to as mental toughness or strength. Mental stamina is the ability to handle life’s stresses, performing well under pressure and maintaining focus despite distractions.
Mental stamina has multiple components that can be referred to as the four C’s of mental toughness, as follows:
Sexual Stamina
Sexual stamina is the amount of time a person can engage in sexual activities before needing to take a break. Physical and mental stamina both play an important role in sexual stamina.
Physical stamina involves having the energy to keep going and mental stamina involves being able to have sex for the desired amount of time or long enough to achieve orgasm.
Other factors that impact sexual stamina include:
Sexual experience andsex drive (libido)also are factors that affect sexual stamina.
Low stamina can negatively impact a person’s overall quality of life.
Low stamina is associated with:
High stamina can lead to:
Tips for Building StaminaPhysical, mental, and sexual stamina can all be improved with healthy lifestyle habits, such as:Reducing stressExercising regularlyEating a healthy dietGetting quality sleepSetting achievable goalsHaving a positive attitude
Tips for Building Stamina
Physical, mental, and sexual stamina can all be improved with healthy lifestyle habits, such as:Reducing stressExercising regularlyEating a healthy dietGetting quality sleepSetting achievable goalsHaving a positive attitude
Physical, mental, and sexual stamina can all be improved with healthy lifestyle habits, such as:
Stamina can be built up, whether it’s physical, mental, or sexual.
Building Physical Stamina
Stamina workouts focus on short bursts of maximal effort that are sometimes repeated throughout a period of time. Sports such as football and tennis require physical stamina.
Building Mental Stamina
You can build mental stamina in several different ways. Here are some tips:
9 Stress Management Ideas You’ll Feel Confident About
Building Sexual Stamina
However, general lifestyle habits can help improve sexual stamina. These can include:
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have low sexual stamina. There could be a not-so-obvious underlying medical cause, such as a side effect of medication.
Summary
Stamina is the ability to do tasks that are difficult or take a long time to accomplish. Stamina affects many aspects of life, including physical and mental challenges and sexual performance. Low stamina is associated with fatigue, depression, increased stress levels, and decreased sex drive. High stamina can improve athletic performance, increase attention span, and improve overall quality of life.
Stamina can be built with interval training, appropriate goal-setting, and healthy lifestyle habits such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough quality sleep.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cambridge Dictionary.Stamina.So S, Evans M, Jason LA, Brown A.Are stamina and fatigue polar opposites? A case study.J Prev Interv Community. 2015;43(1):32-41. doi:10.1080/10852352.2014.973235Devise M, Lechaptois C, Berton E, Vigouroux L.Effects of different hangboard training intensities on finger grip strength, stamina, and endurance.Front Sports Act Living. 2022;4:862782. doi:10.3389/fspor.2022.862782Weinberg R.Mental toughness: what is it and how to build it.Revista da Educação Física/UEM. 2013;24(1):1-10. doi:10.4025/reveducfis.v24.1.17523 (doi link does not work)Lin Y, Mutz J, Clough PJ, Papageorgiou KA.Mental toughness and individual differences in learning, educational and work performance, psychological well-being, and personality: a systematic review.Front Psychol. 2017;8:258950. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01345Jiannine LM.An investigation of the relationship between physical fitness, self-concept, and sexual functioning.Journal of Education and Health Promotion. 2018;7:57. doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_157_17 (doi does not go to article)Prasad L, Varrey A, Sisti G.Medical students’ stress levels and sense of well being after six weeks of yoga and meditation.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:9251849. doi:10.1155/2016/9251849Ko DH, Choi YC, Lee DS.The effect of short-term Wingate-based high intensity interval training on anaerobic power and isokinetic muscle function in adolescent badminton players.Children (Basel). 2021;8(6):458. doi:10.3390/children8060458Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The Nutrition Source.HIIT (high intensity interval training).Jiannine LM.An investigation of the relationship between physical fitness, self-concept, and sexual functioning.J Educ Health Promot. 2018;7:57. doi:10.4103%2Fjehp.jehp_157_17Dwulit AD, Rzymski P.The potential associations of pornography use with sexual dysfunctions: an integrative literature review of observational studies.J Clin Med. 2019;8(7):914. doi:10.3390%2Fjcm8070914Yafi FA, Jenkins L, Albersen M, et al.Erectile dysfunction.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016;2:16003. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2016.3Golmakani N, Zare Z, Khadem N, Shareh H, Shakeri MT.The effect of pelvic floor muscle exercises program on sexual self-efficacy in primiparous women after delivery.Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2015;20(3):347-353.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cambridge Dictionary.Stamina.So S, Evans M, Jason LA, Brown A.Are stamina and fatigue polar opposites? A case study.J Prev Interv Community. 2015;43(1):32-41. doi:10.1080/10852352.2014.973235Devise M, Lechaptois C, Berton E, Vigouroux L.Effects of different hangboard training intensities on finger grip strength, stamina, and endurance.Front Sports Act Living. 2022;4:862782. doi:10.3389/fspor.2022.862782Weinberg R.Mental toughness: what is it and how to build it.Revista da Educação Física/UEM. 2013;24(1):1-10. doi:10.4025/reveducfis.v24.1.17523 (doi link does not work)Lin Y, Mutz J, Clough PJ, Papageorgiou KA.Mental toughness and individual differences in learning, educational and work performance, psychological well-being, and personality: a systematic review.Front Psychol. 2017;8:258950. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01345Jiannine LM.An investigation of the relationship between physical fitness, self-concept, and sexual functioning.Journal of Education and Health Promotion. 2018;7:57. doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_157_17 (doi does not go to article)Prasad L, Varrey A, Sisti G.Medical students’ stress levels and sense of well being after six weeks of yoga and meditation.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:9251849. doi:10.1155/2016/9251849Ko DH, Choi YC, Lee DS.The effect of short-term Wingate-based high intensity interval training on anaerobic power and isokinetic muscle function in adolescent badminton players.Children (Basel). 2021;8(6):458. doi:10.3390/children8060458Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The Nutrition Source.HIIT (high intensity interval training).Jiannine LM.An investigation of the relationship between physical fitness, self-concept, and sexual functioning.J Educ Health Promot. 2018;7:57. doi:10.4103%2Fjehp.jehp_157_17Dwulit AD, Rzymski P.The potential associations of pornography use with sexual dysfunctions: an integrative literature review of observational studies.J Clin Med. 2019;8(7):914. doi:10.3390%2Fjcm8070914Yafi FA, Jenkins L, Albersen M, et al.Erectile dysfunction.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016;2:16003. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2016.3Golmakani N, Zare Z, Khadem N, Shareh H, Shakeri MT.The effect of pelvic floor muscle exercises program on sexual self-efficacy in primiparous women after delivery.Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2015;20(3):347-353.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cambridge Dictionary.Stamina.So S, Evans M, Jason LA, Brown A.Are stamina and fatigue polar opposites? A case study.J Prev Interv Community. 2015;43(1):32-41. doi:10.1080/10852352.2014.973235Devise M, Lechaptois C, Berton E, Vigouroux L.Effects of different hangboard training intensities on finger grip strength, stamina, and endurance.Front Sports Act Living. 2022;4:862782. doi:10.3389/fspor.2022.862782Weinberg R.Mental toughness: what is it and how to build it.Revista da Educação Física/UEM. 2013;24(1):1-10. doi:10.4025/reveducfis.v24.1.17523 (doi link does not work)Lin Y, Mutz J, Clough PJ, Papageorgiou KA.Mental toughness and individual differences in learning, educational and work performance, psychological well-being, and personality: a systematic review.Front Psychol. 2017;8:258950. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01345Jiannine LM.An investigation of the relationship between physical fitness, self-concept, and sexual functioning.Journal of Education and Health Promotion. 2018;7:57. doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_157_17 (doi does not go to article)Prasad L, Varrey A, Sisti G.Medical students’ stress levels and sense of well being after six weeks of yoga and meditation.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:9251849. doi:10.1155/2016/9251849Ko DH, Choi YC, Lee DS.The effect of short-term Wingate-based high intensity interval training on anaerobic power and isokinetic muscle function in adolescent badminton players.Children (Basel). 2021;8(6):458. doi:10.3390/children8060458Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The Nutrition Source.HIIT (high intensity interval training).Jiannine LM.An investigation of the relationship between physical fitness, self-concept, and sexual functioning.J Educ Health Promot. 2018;7:57. doi:10.4103%2Fjehp.jehp_157_17Dwulit AD, Rzymski P.The potential associations of pornography use with sexual dysfunctions: an integrative literature review of observational studies.J Clin Med. 2019;8(7):914. doi:10.3390%2Fjcm8070914Yafi FA, Jenkins L, Albersen M, et al.Erectile dysfunction.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016;2:16003. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2016.3Golmakani N, Zare Z, Khadem N, Shareh H, Shakeri MT.The effect of pelvic floor muscle exercises program on sexual self-efficacy in primiparous women after delivery.Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2015;20(3):347-353.
Cambridge Dictionary.Stamina.
So S, Evans M, Jason LA, Brown A.Are stamina and fatigue polar opposites? A case study.J Prev Interv Community. 2015;43(1):32-41. doi:10.1080/10852352.2014.973235
Devise M, Lechaptois C, Berton E, Vigouroux L.Effects of different hangboard training intensities on finger grip strength, stamina, and endurance.Front Sports Act Living. 2022;4:862782. doi:10.3389/fspor.2022.862782
Lin Y, Mutz J, Clough PJ, Papageorgiou KA.Mental toughness and individual differences in learning, educational and work performance, psychological well-being, and personality: a systematic review.Front Psychol. 2017;8:258950. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01345
Jiannine LM.An investigation of the relationship between physical fitness, self-concept, and sexual functioning.Journal of Education and Health Promotion. 2018;7:57. doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_157_17 (doi does not go to article)
Prasad L, Varrey A, Sisti G.Medical students’ stress levels and sense of well being after six weeks of yoga and meditation.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:9251849. doi:10.1155/2016/9251849
Ko DH, Choi YC, Lee DS.The effect of short-term Wingate-based high intensity interval training on anaerobic power and isokinetic muscle function in adolescent badminton players.Children (Basel). 2021;8(6):458. doi:10.3390/children8060458
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The Nutrition Source.HIIT (high intensity interval training).
Jiannine LM.An investigation of the relationship between physical fitness, self-concept, and sexual functioning.J Educ Health Promot. 2018;7:57. doi:10.4103%2Fjehp.jehp_157_17
Dwulit AD, Rzymski P.The potential associations of pornography use with sexual dysfunctions: an integrative literature review of observational studies.J Clin Med. 2019;8(7):914. doi:10.3390%2Fjcm8070914
Yafi FA, Jenkins L, Albersen M, et al.Erectile dysfunction.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2016;2:16003. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2016.3
Golmakani N, Zare Z, Khadem N, Shareh H, Shakeri MT.The effect of pelvic floor muscle exercises program on sexual self-efficacy in primiparous women after delivery.Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2015;20(3):347-353.
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