Physical activity is often a social activity, and companionship can provide an extra incentive to be active. The 1995 Physical Activity Monitor showed that physical activity levels are related to participating with partners. People who do activities sometimes alone and sometimes with partners are the most active. In comparison, those who do activities with a partner only are less active, and those who only do activities alone are the least active.

Alone Half of adult men and women participate in at least some activities alone. About one-quarter always participate alone. These lone participants can be further classified into the "home-bound" and the "outward-bound." The home-bound are only active at home, whereas the outward-bound are active in other locations as well.

Only one in five home-bound participants are considered active. They are more likely to be women and are more or less evenly divided among the 25-to-44-year-olds, the 45-to-64-year-olds and the over 65. In contrast, the outward-bound participants are three times more inclined to be active. They are somewhat more likely to be men and tend to be younger.

Family Canadians who are more active tend to participate with family members. Participating with family decreases with age, however. The majority of young adults aged 18-24 do some activities with family members, but the majority of seniors participate alone. Children's participation with family members also decreases steadily by age group, from nine in ten preschoolers to four in ten teenagers.

Friends Three in ten children participate with friends, compared with four in ten adults. When they exercise with a partner, women are more likely to participate with friends, and men are more likely to participate with family members.

Co-workers and classmates About one in ten adults, mainly men aged 25-44, participate with co-workers. Four in ten children participate with classmates. Up to age 12, family is the most frequent source of activity partners for children. This pattern changes in the teen years, with classmates becoming the most frequent partners.

Given these results, the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute recommends seeking a variety of activities you can do alone and with others. The more opportunities the better! You can find a pleasurable activity to do on your own and take advantage of the extra boost a partner can give. Why not organize a family outing this weekend or join a group that shares one of your favorite activities?