In evaluating a client's capacity, which term refers to the ability to sustain activity over time without excessive fatigue?

• A. Endurance or tolerance
• B. Strength
• C. ROM
• D. Coordination

Answer: (A)

Endurance, sometimes described as tolerance, is the ability to sustain activity over time without becoming excessively fatigued. This matters in evaluating a client's capacity because it shows how long they can perform daily tasks or work demands before fatigue limits their performance. It’s different from strength (how much force muscles can generate), ROM (how far a joint can move), and coordination (how well movements are timed and integrated); a person can have good strength, ROM, and coordination but still tire quickly if endurance is low. In practice, you assess endurance by watching performance over time during a task, using graded activity, or simple tests like a timed walk or repeated tasks, and you support it with pacing, rest strategies, and gradual conditioning.