Three-in-10 Canadians don’t exercise enough: poll

A new survey shows that almost three in 10 Canadians “avoid” exercise altogether.

By: request Research Co., whose findings were released last month, found that half of Canadians said they met recommended exercise guidelines every week or most weeks in the past three months.

Recommended amount of exercise as listed by Physical Activity Canada Guidelines is at least 150 minutes or 2.5 hours per week. Federal health officials say it’s best to focus on “moderate to vigorous aerobic activity” in sessions of 10 minutes or longer.

The survey results showed that the pandemic has had a negative impact on the amount of physical activity Canadians get each week.

For example, during the pandemic, 48 percent of Canadians exercised for at least 150 minutes every week or most weeks. Before the pandemic, 55 percent of Canadians were getting enough exercise.

“Before the pandemic, only 23 percent of Canadians, and 34 percent of people age 55 and older, never met Canada’s physical activity guidelines,” Research Co. president Mario Canseco said in a news release. “In the past three months, the proportion has risen to 28 percent nationwide and to 39 percent among the oldest adults.”

Despite the negative effects of the pandemic on many in Canada, 20 per cent of respondents said their personal fitness and exercise situation is actually better now than it was before the pandemic, but more than one in five say it has worsened. .

However, the survey found that a majority of Canadians (54 per cent) said their personal situation when it comes to exercise and fitness has not changed at all.

A survey by Research Co. found that 28 per cent of Canadians aged 18 to 34 reported an improvement in their fitness since the pandemic, while 18 per cent of those aged 35 to 54 and 15 per cent of those aged 55 and over said the same.

When it comes to how Canadians get their workouts in, especially when gyms are closed, a survey by Research Co. shows three in 10 (29 per cent) said they’ve followed online workouts due to COVID -19 during the epidemic, and 18 percent bought. weightlifting equipment for their home.

Some Canadians (17 per cent) said they prefer running or jogging to meet their exercise needs, while 16 per cent have purchased a cardio machine for their home.

More than half of respondents (53 percent) said they took some action during the pandemic to stay fit.

The methodology.

The results are based on an online survey conducted between February 16 and February 18 among 1,000 Canadian adults. Data are statistically weighted according to Canadian Census figures for age, sex, and region. The margin of error, which measures sampling variability, is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Reporting for this story was paid for through the Meta-funded Afghanistan Reporters in Residence program.