The PAR-Q is a physical activity readiness questionnaire for people ages 15-69. I use this as a base-line assessment with my at-home personal training clients. It consists of 7 questions for those that plan on increasing their level of activity. As I have said several times this past week, "I am not going to coach answers to the questions. Answer honestly! If you answer yes to any one question, I need you to get a physician's release as we continue to exercise." The questions are:
#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 your blood pressure or heart condition?
#7. Do you know any other reason why you should not do physical activity?
You can look at the PAR-Q on-line. There's more to it than just questions. Remember that talking to your doctor before becoming more physically active than you are now or before a fitness appraisal is the best way to begin an exercise program.
Resource: Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology
