The drop in physical activity levels across age groups is reflected in the declining number of popular activities reported by individuals with age. Walking and gardening are the only two activities to balk the trend and to retain their popularity regardless of age. The 1997 Physical Activity Monitor, conducted by the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute with support from Health Canada and the provincial and territorial governments, also helped to draw a profile of common activities in each age group.

• Young adults — Walking and social dancing are popular with 18- to 24-year-olds, being reported by 88% and 77%, respectively. Approximately two-thirds of men and women in this age group also report participating in home exercise, gardening or bicycling. Close to 60% indicate swimming, jogging or weight training. Finally, between one-quarter and one-half indicate participation in bowling, skating, basketball, baseball, in-line skating, volleyball, badminton, exercise classes, golf, tennis or alpine skiing.
• Adults — Walking and gardening are the most popular activities among 25- to 44-year-olds. Other popular activities include swimming, bicycling, dancing socially and home exercise. Between one-quarter and one-half of men and women in this age group report participation in skating, bowling, weight training, jogging, golf or baseball.
• Middle-aged adults — The two most popular activities, walking and gardening, are also the highest among 45- to 64-year-olds, clocking in at 88% and 79%, respectively. Home exercise, social dancing, swimming and bicycling are reported by 38 to 50% of adults in this age group.
• Older adults — Walking is the most popular activity with adults aged 65 and older, among whom eight out of ten report having walked for exercise in the past year. Next comes gardening, reported by approximately two-thirds of older adults. Between 19% and 41% mention home exercise, swimming or dancing socially.

According to medical experts, there is no pill in current or prospective use that holds as much promise for sustained health as a lifetime program of regular physical activity. Certainly, as an "anti-aging pill" physical activity has much to offer the steadily growing number of older adults in Canada.

"Our research shows that gradual functional decline does not have to be part of the aging process," says Dr. Normand Gionet, Chair of the Institute's board of directors. "We know that as much as one-half of the decline between the ages of 30 and 70 can be attributed not to aging itself, but rather to a sedentary lifestyle."