Endurance describes how long a child can keep going with an activity before they become tired and need a break. Many different physical and health conditions can reduce a child’s level of endurance. For example, a child with a chronic health condition like asthma or heart disease, may tire easily. As would a child with a physical disability like cerebral palsy. Some medications can also make kids feel tired quickly.
Kids with reduced endurance will tire or run out of breath more quickly than other kids. It may look like they are lazy or unfit, when actually they are physically working harder than most other kids.
It’s important to note that kids with chronic health conditions (e.g. asthma) and physical disability (e.g. motor and coordination challenges) work harder on the footy field to do physical activities.
The following video resources have been developed in partnership with leading head coaches from the AFL to help you gain a better understanding of how to increase participation for kids of all abilities into your sessions.