Thinking about Getting Active?

Becoming more active has many health benefits. However, some people should talk their family doctor or health care provider before they start becoming more physically active.

The Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology (CSEP) has developed a questionnaire called The Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q and You) that individuals (15 to 69 years of age), can complete in order to assess if they should check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program. Instructions for how to complete the questionnaire are provided on the tool.

Some people who may automatically want to check with their doctor before they become much more physically active would include:

• Those of you that are over 69 years of age, and are not used to being very active.
• Those who have a chronic health condition such as heart disease, arthritis, and history of stroke or diabetes.
• You are or may be pregnant. Please speak with your doctor before you start becoming much more active. As well, you can obtain a copy of the PARmed-X for Preganancy from the CSEP .