Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)

What is a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)?

A Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) is a simple, self-administered screening tool designed to help individuals determine their readiness for physical activity or exercise programs. The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) developed the PAR-Q to identify potential health risks that may require further evaluation by a healthcare professional before starting an exercise regimen. While the PAR-Q is not a complete medical history, it helps uncover potential health risks and identify pre-existing medical conditions that might be aggravated by physical activity.

The questionnaire consists of seven yes-or-no questions that cover various aspects of an individual’s health history, including chest pain during activity, balance issues, a bone or joint problem, prescribed medications, and other health concerns. The PAR-Q includes specific questions about heart conditions to identify any pre-existing health issues affecting a client participating in physical activity (Warburton et al., 2011).

The PAR-Q is an essential tool for healthcare practitioners and fitness professionals, as it helps to ensure the safety and well-being of people who want to become more physically active.

How does this Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) form work?

Using the PAR-Q form is quick and simple but provides valuable insights about your readiness to engage in physical activity. It is important to seek medical advice before you begin exercising, especially if you have not been active for a long time. Healthcare practitioners can follow these steps to use this tool:

Step 1: Introduce the PAR-Q

Explain to your client the purpose of the PAR-Q and the process of assessing their readiness for physical activity. Emphasize the importance of answering the questions honestly and thoroughly.

A personal trainer can assist clients in understanding and completing the PAR-Q, ensuring they address any potential barriers to their exercise experience.

Step 2: Administer the questionnaire

Provide your client with the PAR-Q form and ensure they understand each question. Encourage them to ask for clarification if needed. Allow sufficient time for them to complete the questionnaire independently.

One key question in the PAR-Q is whether you feel pain in your chest when performing physical activity. It also explores any other reason or possible life-threatening conditions for not being able to engage in physical activity.

Step 3: Review the responses and complete medical history

Carefully examine your client's answers to the PAR-Q. If they have answered "no" to all questions, they can likely engage in physical activity without requiring further evaluation. However, if they have answered "yes" to one or more questions, proceed to step 4.

Step 4: Discuss concerns

For clients who have answered “yes” to any question, discuss their concerns and gather more information about their health history. It is crucial to identify risks such as heart attacks and the potential to lose consciousness during physical activity.

If you determine that further evaluation is needed, refer the client to a physician for a more comprehensive assessment and medical clearance before starting an exercise program.

Step 5: Document and follow up

Record the client's PAR-Q responses and any referrals to a doctor made in their file. Follow up with the client to ensure they have received the necessary medical clearance or guidance before proceeding with an exercise program. Regularly update the PAR-Q as part of ongoing client monitoring and care.

When should you administer a PAR-Q?

Here are some key situations when a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) should be administered:

1. New clients: When working with new clients who are interested in starting an exercise program, administering the PAR-Q is essential. This helps identify potential health risks or requires further evaluation before the client begins engaging in physical activity. It is important to seek medical advice before beginning to exercise, especially for those who have not been active for a long time.
2. Sedentary individuals: If a client has been sedentary for an extended period and wants to become more physically active, the PAR-Q should be administered. This is particularly important as sedentary individuals may have underlying health concerns that could impact their ability to exercise safely.
3. Changes in health status: If a client experiences a change in their health status, such as a new diagnosis or injury, re-administering the PAR-Q is recommended. This ensures that any new health concerns or risk factors are addressed and that the exercise program remains appropriate for the client’s current condition.
4. Annual check-ins: As part of ongoing client care, it is advisable to administer the PAR-Q annually. This helps identify any changes in the client’s health status and allows for adjustments to their exercise program as needed. For instance, a person who might have a heart condition wants to engage in exercise or has been doing it as part of their treatment regimen can be tested.
5. Special populations: Administering the PAR-Q is crucial when working with special populations, such as older adults, pregnant women, or individuals with chronic conditions. These populations may have unique health considerations that require additional screening and guidance before engaging in physical activity.

Reference

Warburton, D., Jamnik, V., Bredin, S., Shephard, R., & Gledhill, N. (2021). The 2021 Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for everyone (PAR-Q+) and Electronic Physical Activity Readiness Medical Examination (departed-x+): 2021 PAR-Q+. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(1), 83–87. https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i1.351