The 1997 Physical Activity Monitor is the second wave of the Physical Activity Monitor and was conducted in the fall of 1996 and the spring of 1997.

Data collection
The 1997 Physical Activity Monitor was designed to be completed through computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI). In addition to completing individual interviews, parents answered questions about one of their children under 18 who were still living at home. A total of 1,875 adults aged 18 and older and 656 children aged 1 to 17 constituted the final sample.

Survey findings

Participation in physical activity

Adherence to Canada's Physical Activity Guide
One-third of Canadians aged 25 to 55 meet the guidelines outlined in Canada's Physical Activity Guide. A further 29% participate in some physical activity on four or more days a week, but do not meet the guideline because of insufficient duration or intensity. The remainder are not active often enough, with 18% being active two to four days a week and 19% being active even less often. This pattern holds for both men and women. (more in Bulletin no. 31, see also Two-thirds are couch potatoes, Couch potatoes everywhere)

Confidence in personal ability
More Canadian adults are very confident that they can accumulate an hour of activity at any intensity level every day as opposed to doing at least 30 minutes of at least moderate-intensity activity every other day. (more in Bulletin no. 24)

Popularity of physical activities
The most frequent activities by far, cited by at least three-quarters of all adults surveyed in 1997, continue to be walking and gardening. Hovering around 50% are swimming, home exercise, social dancing, and bicycling. Bowling, skating, jogging/running, weight training, golf, and baseball/softball are reported by 25 to 30% of adults. (more in Bulletin no. 32, see also Activities we enjoy, Activities for every age)

Structure of physical activity
While participating in physical activity outside of an organized setting is the most frequent form of participation among Canadian adults, participation also frequently occurs in organized settings and as many as one-fifth are involved competitively in physical activity. (more in Bulletin no. 22)

Making active choices
Taking the stairs is the most frequent of five ways to incorporate physical activity into daily life and is cited by 80% of Canadian adults. About two-thirds report light and heavy chores and walking to go to work or conduct errands. One-quarter choose to commute by bicycle. (more in Bulletin no. 23)

Benefits and value of physical activity

Valuing physical activity
The vast majority of Canadian adults value physical activity — 42% rate it as very important to them personally and another 44% rate it as quite important. Almost half say that it is very important to health, and up to one-third believe that it is very important to their family life, their social life, and in feeling part of the community. (more in Bulletin no. 25)

Positive beliefs
The vast majority of Canadians hold strong beliefs about a wide range of positive outcomes of physical activity. They are particularly aware of the benefits of physical activity in reducing the risks of heart disease and premature death as well as in maintaining a healthy weight. Generally, people are not as aware of the positive effects of physical activity on other diseases and conditions influencing their health-related quality of life. These other effects include better self-esteem, prevention of diseases such as diabetes type II and osteoporosis, reduced stress, increased energy, maintenance of functional ability, and increased relaxation. (more in Bulletin no. 26, see also The long and the short of physical activity)

Negative beliefs
A majority of Canadians (56%) believe that participation in physical activity leads to injuries, 42% hold the belief that participation leads to ongoing pain and stiffness in joints, and 27% agree that physical activity makes people too muscular. (more in Bulletin no. 27, see also Steer clear of pain and injuries)

Contribution to community life
Canadians generally hold strong positive beliefs about the contribution of physical activity opportunities to the quality of life in their community. About three-quarters agree either moderately or a great deal that these kinds of programs and services contribute to community pride and spirit, give young people something to do, and improve the appearance of the physical environment. Over half believe that physical activity opportunities encourage awareness of the physical environment, get people involved in their community, help individuals get along with people of different cultures, and encourage people to volunteer in their community. (more in Bulletin no. 34)

Volunteerism
Canadians contribute on average 96 hours a year on volunteer activities. Women spend more time (106 hours) on voluntary activities than do men (85 hours). Among adults who volunteer, 17% volunteer in activities related to physical activity, contributing 57 hours of their volunteer hours to physical activity and 69 hours to other volunteer work, for a total of 126 hours a year. (more in Bulletin no. 35)

Environmental supports

Tax dollars for physical activity
The vast majority of Canadians (93%) state that spending their tax dollars to support physical activity should increase or remain the same. Specifically, 16% of Canadians think that much more of their tax dollars should be directed to physical activity initiatives, 36% think more tax dollars should be spent in this manner, and 41% report that government spending should be maintained at its current level. (more in Bulletin no. 33)

Government role
Over half of survey respondents report that governments have a great deal of responsibility in setting safety standards for physical activity, as well as in ensuring mandatory daily physical education in elementary and secondary schools. Close to 50% cite the "provision of paths and other areas for physical activity" and the "promotion of health and well-being" as key roles for governments. Just under a third report that "providing services, programs, or facilities" and "providing information on the benefits of activity" are key responsibility areas for governments. (more in Bulletin no. 36)

Supportive resources and services
Access to affordable infrastructure is rated as very important in supporting an active lifestyle among adults. Indeed, the three resources or services that rank the highest in helping Canadians to be active are infrastructure supports: access to safe streets and public places; affordable facilities, services, and programs; and paths, trails, and green spaces. (more in Bulletin no. 28)

Supporting active commuting
Physically active commuters, particularly those who commute by bicycle, are clearly more likely to attach a high importance to being able to access paths, trails, and green spaces and to see safe streets and public places as very important supports for physical activity. (more in Bulletin no. 29)

Resources and supports for children
For children, access to safe streets and other public places ranks first among resources and supports for physical activity, being cited as very important by 56% of parents. This is followed by access to school-based physical activity and sports facilities, services, and programs (52%) and access to outdoor spaces where the children can be active (51%). (more in Bulletin no. 30)

Publications based on the 1997 Physical Activity Monitor:
Foundation for Joint Action: Reducing Physical Inactivity
Progress in Prevention - bulletins 22 to 36