Background of the Survey
The 1981 Canada Fitness Survey was the first nationally representative study of the physical recreation habits, physical fitness, and health status of an entire population. More than 23,000 Canadians aged 7 and older participated in this historic survey, providing baseline data representing all Canadians except the 3% not living in households.

During a household visit, participants filled out a questionnaire and went through a series of fitness tests known as the Canadian Standardized Test of Fitness. Results from this survey have been published in considerable detail and the findings have been widely used and quoted for planning and evaluating programs of physical recreation.

Highlights from the 1981 Canada Fitness Survey
The Canada Fitness Survey was a survey of unprecedented scope on the topic of physical fitness and activity patterns. Among the more important findings:

• 11.5 million Canadians (56% of those aged 10 and older) are physically active in their leisure time (they take part in physical activities at least three hours a week for at least nine months of the year);
  
  
• Men and women are equally active, a change since 1976* when men were more active;
  *Statistics Canada. Culture Statistics/Recreation Activities. Minister of Supply and Services Canada, Catalog No. 87-501(occasional), 1980. (report of the 1976 Survey of Fitness, Physical Recreation and Sport)
  
  
• Walking is the favourite activity, followed by bicycling, swimming, jogging, and gardening;
  
  
• Jogging is the first choice of activities that people wish to begin, and there would be 15 million new participants in all activities combined if there were no barriers holding them back;
  
  
• Between 1976 and 1981, cross-country and alpine skiing gained large numbers of participants, while hockey lost ground;
  
  
• The main reason Canadians are active is to gain a sense of physical and mental well-being;
  
  
• 46% of Canadians believe that regular activity is very important and 78% wish to increase their participation levels;
  
  
• A perceived lack of time due to work pressures is the most important obstacle keeping people from being more active.

There are distinct differences between active and sedentary Canadians in their demographic profiles, attitudes, fitness levels, and health. Active Canadians are

• more likely to be young, Westerners, managers and professionals, single, and better-educated, but equally likely to be male or female;
  
  
• more likely to put a high value on activity, not smoking, and weight control;
  
  
• more sensitive to obstacles to participation and more likely to respond favourably to the removal of such obstacles;
  
  
• more fit — with better cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, muscular endurance, and strength;
  
  
• healthier, with greater emotional well-being and positive self-ratings of health, and less likely to show health risk for fitness testing;
  
  
• more likely to eat a good breakfast regularly, get seven to eight hours of sleep, and avoid smoking.