If you answered YES to one or more questions - talk with your doctor by phone or in person BEFORE you start becoming much more physically active or BEFORE you have a fitness appraisal. Tell your doctor about the PAR-Q and which questions you answered YES.
- You may be able to do any activity you want - as long as you start slowly and build up gradually. Or, you may need to restrict your activities to those that are safe for you. Talk with your doctor about the kinds of acivities you wish to participate in and follow his/her advice.
- Find out which community programs are safe and helpful for you.
If you answered NO to all PAR-Q qeustions, you can be reasonably sure that you can:
- Start becoming much more physically active - begin slowly and build up gradually. This is the safest and easiest way to go.
- Take part in a fitness appraisal - this is an excellent way to determine your basic fitness so that you can plan the best way for you to live actively.
You should DELAY becoming more active if you are not feeling well because of a temporary illness such as a cold or fever - wait until you feel better.
If your health changes so that you then answer YES to any of the questions, tell your fitness or health professional. Ask whether you should change your physical activity plan.
The PAR-Q and YOU is a copyrighted, pre-exercise screen owned by the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology.