PAR-Q and You!

Are You Ready to Get Active?

Regular physical activity can be fun and is important in staying healthy. Increasingly more people are starting to become more active every day. Being more active is very safe for most people. However, some people should check with their doctor before they start becoming much more physically active.

The PAR-Q...A baseline assessment to be completed by ALL people:

If you are planning to become much more physically active than you are now, start by completing the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q).

If you are between the ages of 15 and 69, the PAR-Q will tell you if you should check with your doctor before you start. If you are over 69 years of age, and you are not used to being very active, check with your doctor.

Did you have a POSITIVE response to the PAR-Q?

The PAR-Q by itself provides adequate screening for the majority of people. However, some individuals may require a medical evaluation and specific advice (exercise prescription) due to one or more positive responses to the PAR-Q.

The Physical Activity Readiness Medical Examination checklist (PARmed-X) is to be used by a physician with patients who have had positive responses to the PAR-Q.

In addition, the Referral Form in the PARmed-X can be used to convey clearance for physical activity participation, or to make a referral to a medically supervised exercise program.

Are you Pregnant?

Healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies can integrate physical activity into their daily living and can participate without significant risks either to themselves or to their unborn child.

The Physical Activity Readiness Medical Examination (PARmed-X for PREGNANCY) guideline is used for health screening. If you are pregnant, it should be completed prior to participation in a prenatal fitness class or other exercise.