Saskatchewan

Physical activity profile

• As many as 59% of Saskatchewan residents are insufficiently active for optimal health benefits. (National Population Health Survey, 1998/99)
  
  
• Physical inactivity declined significantly since the early 1990s, going from 61% in 1994 to 59% in 1998. (NPHS, 1998/99)
  
  
• The most popular physical activities for adults over 20 are:
  
  

  Walking for exercise	71%
  Gardening, yard work	56
  Home exercise	27
  Social dancing	21
  Bicycling	21
  Swimming	20
  Golf	17
  Jogging, running	13
  Fishing	13
  Baseball, softball	11
  Bowling	11
  Weight training	11
  Ice hockey	5
  Exercise classes, aerobics	5
  Basketball	5
  Skating	4
  Volleyball	4
  In-line skating	4

  (NPHS, 1998/99)

What about youth?

• In Saskatchewan, 67% of youth aged 12-19 are not active enough for optimal growth and development. For the purpose of these analyses, the term physically inactive is equivalent to an energy expenditure of less than three kilocalories per kilogram of body weight per day (KKD). This level of physical activity can be achieved by a half hour of martial arts plus walking for a total of at least one hour throughout the day. (1998/99 NPHS)
  
  
• The popular physical activities for youth, according to the 1998/99 NPHS, are:
  
  

  Walking for exercise	65%
  Jogging, running	52
  Social dancing	35
  Bicycling	35
  Baseball, softball	11

  (1998/99 NPHS)
  

Active commuting—walking and bicycling

• In the past year, 48% of Saskatchewan residents walked to or from work or school, or to do errands. On average, those who walk to commute did so for 148 days and spent 41 minutes on each occasion.
  
  
• Just 19% of Saskatchewan residents commuted by bicycle in the past year, and they did so an average of 89 days with each occasion lasting 40 minutes.

Stages of change: readiness to be active

• Adoption of a physically active lifestyle occurs in stages and involves progression and regression. On average, 38% of Saskatchewan adult workers are in the MAINTENANCE stage, and 46% are in the ACTION stage. They have taken steps to become active in the last 12 months, and they intend to stay active.
  
  
• Residents in Saskatchewan are more likely to be in the action stage than Canadians generally.

Physical activity—barriers and benefits

• Barriers to being active—Constant tight deadlines (27%), lack of time due to work (33%), and roads that are too busy (23%) are preventing Saskatchewan adult workers from being physically active.
  
  
• Beliefs about work-related benefits of physical activity—Adult workers in Saskatchewan believe that regular physical activity improves one’s ability to cope and reduce stress (87%), to improve productivity (85%), to help one to recover more quickly from minor illnesses (82%), and to be more effective on the job, for example by improving concentration (80%).
  
  
• Absenteeism—When asked how many days in the last year they have been on leave away from work because of sickness, injury, or disability, 41% of Saskatchewan workers said one to five days, and 44% reported that they had taken no sick days.
  
  
• Potential influence on recruitment and turnover—86% of Saskatchewan workers say that physical activity opportunities, programs, and facilities at work influenced somewhat or not at all their decision to accept a job working for their current employer.
  
  When asked how much such opportunities influence them to keep working for their current employer, 60% report somewhat or not at all.

Support for physical activity at work

• Fitness information at work
  • 23% of Saskatchewan workers obtain at work information on physical activity through a fitness or health bulletin board, a newsletter or email.
    
    
  • 30% report that information on where employees can be active is available at their place of work and 35% report that information on how employees could be more active is also available.
    
    
  • 26% report that seminars, workshops or training programs about physical activity and disease prevention are offered at work.
    
    
• Soft supports for activity—For 63% of Saskatchewan workers, smoking has been totally banned from the workplace, which promotes a healthy lifestyle. In addition, 47% have dress-down days or casual dress codes, which may encourage physical activity, and 39% have flexible working hours.
  
  
• Amenities at work to support activity—29% of Saskatchewan workers have access to showers, 35% have access to change areas or locker rooms, and 42% have access to bicycle racks.
  
  
• Stair climbing at work—The majority of Saskatchewan workers (74%) state that their workplace has easily accessible stairs and 46% report that their workplace has signs indicating the location of stairs.
  
  
• Occasional opportunities at work—55% of Saskatchewan workers have access to recreational events like golf tournaments at work and 36% have access to team sports such as softball.
  
  
• Opportunities for physical activity near work—Over half (51%) of Saskatchewan workers report that there are pleasant places to walk or jog at or near their place of work and 47% report community recreation or other facilities for physical activity (e.g., YW/YMCA, fitness facilities). Additionally, 46% work near playing fields and 32% work near open spaces for ball games.
  
  
• Participation at work—Of Saskatchewan residents with access to clubs, sports, or recreational events at work, 40% reported participating in team sports, physical activity clubs, or physical activity events like Sneaker Day.
  
  
• Fitness facilities at work
  
  • 26% of Saskatchewan residents have access to community facilities like schools and gyms through their workplace.
    
    
• Fitness programs at work
  
  • 36% of Saskatchewan workers have programs to improve health, physical fitness, or nutrition at their workplace.
    
    
• Who can access facilities?
  • 79% of Saskatchewan workers state that full-time employees can use the equipment, facilities, and programs available at work.
    
    
• Employer attitude and support for physical activity—Only 25% of Saskatchewan residents say their employer is very or extremely supportive, with most reporting that their employer provides little or no encouragement (53%). Of those having some support, 70% think that such support actually helps them to be active.
  
  
• Incentives and rewards for physical activity at work—30% of Saskatchewan workers can organize or participate in a community physical activity event during work hours without pay deduction, but very few report workplace awards, recognition, or other types of motivation to encourage being active.

The Institute gratefully acknowledges the financial support of Health Canada and the Interprovincial Sport and Recreation Council toward the Benchmarks Program. Our Saskatchewan partner is Saskatchewan Municipal Affairs, Culture and Housing, Community Support Services Branch.