Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) and You
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.
If you are planning to become much more physically active than you are now, start by answering the
seven questions in the box below. 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.
Common sense is your best guide when you answer these questions. Please read the questions carefully
and answer each one honestly:
Check YES or NO:
Informed use of the PAR-Q: Reprinted from ACSM’s Health/Fitness Facility Standards and Guidelines, 1997 by American College of Sports Medicine
NO to all questions
Delay becoming much more active:
If you are not feeling well because of a temporary
illness such as a cold or a fever – wait until you feel
better; or
If you are or may be pregnant – talk to your doctor
before you start becoming more active.
Please note: 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.
YES to one or more questions
If
you
answered:
If you answered NO honestly 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.
YES
NO
□ □ 1. Has your doctor ever said that you have a heart condition and that you should only do
physical activity recommended by a doctor?
□ □ 2. Do you feel pain in your chest when you do physical activity?
□ □ 3. In the past month, have you had chest pain when you were not doing physical activity?
□ □ 4. Do you lose your balance because of dizziness or do you ever lose consciousness?
□ □ 5. Do you have a bone or joint problem that could be made worse by a change in your
physical activity?
□ □ 6. Is your doctor currently prescribing drugs (for example, water pills) for your blood
pressure or heart condition?
□ □ 7. Do you know of any other reason why you should not do physical activity?
Talk to 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.
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 which are safe for you. Talk
with your doctor about the kinds of activities you wish to participate in and follow his/her
advice.
Find out which community programs are safe and helpful for you.
