Exertion (noun)

1. The action of exerting one's power or influence.
2. Physical or mental effort directed towards a particular goal.

Origin:

Late middle english (in the sense "a setting in motion, action"): from old french, from latin exsertio(n-), from exsert- "thrust out", from the verb exserere.

Examples:

1. The team showed great exertion in their performance.
2. He felt the exertion of carrying the heavy box.
3. The exertion required to climb the mountain was too much for her.
4. She put in a lot of exertion in order to prepare for the exam.
5. He made an exertion to lift the weight.