Active Agers in Canada Unite

Vol.2, Issue 1, January 2022

Last year saw the release of the 2021 ParticipACTION Report Card on physical activity for adults. The report pulled together data and assigned grades to various indicators of physical activity. Here are some key findings for older Canadians and the grades we got:
Total daily steps – C

39% of adults age 65 to 79 take at least 7,500 steps a day. That’s the number of daily steps we need to be in the ‘physically active lifestyle’ category.

Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity – C

28% of adults 65 to 79 get at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in a week.

Balance activities – D-

Only 23% of adults 65 and older reported they had done things to challenge or improve their balance in the past week.

Muscle-strengthening activities – D-

Only 25% of adults 18 years or older exercise to strengthen their muscles at least twice a week.

Let’s bring our grades up in 2022

Being physically active helps us to stay independent and mobile. It boosts immune function and reduces the risk of chronic illness. That is why it is so important to do more to meet physical activity guidelines. Then we can reap the many benefits and age well.

Research shows that many factors support getting and staying active. These include:

knowing and valuing the benefits of physical activity
getting and staying motivated
knowing what physical activities are best for you
knowing how to do your activities safely and with the most benefit
getting more confident.

All of these factors are part of what is called ‘physical activity literacy’.1 It means we have the capacity for a healthy, active lifestyle. It speaks to how we learn to get more active and stay that way as we age.2

Introducing a great new resource
Active Aging Canada is promoting a new resource that tells older Canadians how to engage in safe, successful physical activity. It was developed by our partners: the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology and Exercise is Medicine® Canada.

You can download Physical Activity for Older Adults from Active Aging Canada’s website.

While you are visiting our website, check out our videos of older adults sharing their experiences with physical activity. You may also want join our “Active Agers” Facebook group. There, you can post your own photos of your favourite physical activity. Inspire others and share tips on getting and staying active!

You can start to exercise at any age. Health problems do not have to stop you from being active! Learn more about safe exercise from Active Aging Canada

References:
Stathokostas L, Gotz A, and Clark, P. What Exactly is Physical Literacy? Perspectives from older adults and those who work with older adults. Report prepared for Active Aging Canada. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.12517.63209. 2020.
Jones R, Stathokostas L, Young BW et al. Development of a physical literacy model for older adults – a consensus process by the collaborative working group on physical literacy for older Canadians. BMC Geriatrics 18:13. 2018.

Liza Stathokostas, PhD
Research Director
Active Aging Canada

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