Regular physical activity is fun and healthy, and 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 following questionnaire for people aged fifteen to sixty-nine, known as the PAR-Q or Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire helps you determine whether you need medical supervision in your exercise program.

If you are planning to become much more physically active than you are now, start by answering the six questions. If you are over 69 years of age, and you are not used to being very active, check with your doctor regardless of your answers.

Common sense is your best guide when you answer these questions. Please read the questions carefully and answer each one honestly. Write down a yes or no response to each question.

• Do you have a heart condition?

• Do you feel pain in your chest when you do physical activity?

• In the past month, have you had chest pain when you were not doing physical activity?

• Do you have a bone or joint problem (for example, back, knee or hip) that could be made worse by a change in your physical activity?

• Is your doctor currently prescribing drugs (for example, water pills) for your blood pressure or heart condition?

• Do you know of any other reason why you should not do physical activity?

If you answered yes to one or more questions, talk with your doctor by phone or in person before you start becoming much more physically active or before you have a fitness appraisal. Tell your doctor about the PAR-Q and which questions you answered yes to.

You may be able to do any activity you want — as long as you start slowly and build up gradually. Or, you may need to restrict your activities to those that are safe for you. Talk with your doctor about the kinds of activities you wish to participate in and follow his/her advice.

If you answered no to all PAR-Q questions, you can be reasonably sure that you can:

• Start becoming much more physically active — begin slowly and build up gradually. This is the safest and easiest way to go.

• Take part in a fitness appraisal — this is an excellent way to determine your basic fitness so that you can plan the best way for you to live actively.

Delay becoming much more active if:

• You are not feeling well due to a temporary illness such as a cold or a fever — wait until you feel better.

• You are or may be pregnant — talk to your doctor before you start becoming more active.

If your health changes so that you then answer yes to any of the above questions, tell your fitness or health professional. Ask whether you should change your physical activity plan.