
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY READINESS QUESTIONNAIRE
This questionnaire should be completed before you exercise in any capacity in the Optimal facility. The PARQ is suitable for those aged between 12 and 69. If you are over 69 years of age, and you are not used to being very active, check with your doctor. Common sense is your best guide in answering these questions. Read the questions carefully and answer each one honestly.
If you answered YES
If you answered "yes" to one or more questions, talk with your doctor before you start becoming much more active or before you have a fitness test. Tell you doctor about the PAR-Q and which questions you answered "Yes".
If you answered NO
If you answered "No" honestly to all of the questions, you can be reasonably sure that you can start becoming much more physically active or take part in a physical fitness appraisal with the Optimal team – begin slowly and build up gradually. This is the safest and easiest way to go.
Things Change
Even if you answered "No" to all questions, you should still consult with one of your professional health team about becoming more active if you are temporarily ill with a cold or a fever, or if you are or may be pregnant. If your health changes so that you then answer "Yes" to any of the above questions, tell your fitness or health professional and ask whether you should change your physical activity plan.
References
This simple screening questionnaire was first developed by The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (see references below). The questionnaire is also recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine as a minimum test of readiness for moderate physical activity programs.
If you answered "yes" to one or more questions, talk with your doctor before you start becoming much more active or before you have a fitness test. Tell you doctor about the PAR-Q and which questions you answered "Yes".
If you answered NO
If you answered "No" honestly to all of the questions, you can be reasonably sure that you can start becoming much more physically active or take part in a physical fitness appraisal with the Optimal team – begin slowly and build up gradually. This is the safest and easiest way to go.
Things Change
Even if you answered "No" to all questions, you should still consult with one of your professional health team about becoming more active if you are temporarily ill with a cold or a fever, or if you are or may be pregnant. If your health changes so that you then answer "Yes" to any of the above questions, tell your fitness or health professional and ask whether you should change your physical activity plan.
References
This simple screening questionnaire was first developed by The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (see references below). The questionnaire is also recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine as a minimum test of readiness for moderate physical activity programs.
- PAR-Q and You. Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. Revised 1994.
- Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire, British Columbia Ministry of Health Department of National Health and Welfare, Canada, revised 1992.