Written by Pierre Chartier

The John Tesh(es) of Algonquin

Majic 100 may have John Tesh but we have four knowledgeable colleagues, right here at Algonquin, who are delighted to share their expertise with us:

Are You Medically Fit To Exercise?

As a form of pre-exercise medical screening, first-time exercisers should complete the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q). This short questionnaire is available through the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology and contains the following seven health-related questions:

1. Has your doctor ever said you have a heart condition and that you should only do physical activity recommended by a doctor?
2. Do you feel pain in your chest when you do physical activity?
3. In the past month, have you had chest pain when you were not doing physical activity?
4. Do you lose your balance because of dizziness or do you ever lose consciousness?
5. Do you have a bone or joint problem (for example, back, knee or hip) that could be made worse by a change in your physical activity?
6. Is your doctor currently prescribing drugs (for example, water pills) for your blood pressure or heart condition?
7. Do you know of any other reasons why you should not do physical activity?

If you answer yes to one or more of these questions, you are asked to confer with your family doctor by phone or in person to discuss the suitability of your present exercise regime. Your doctor may advise a more suitable exercise program, or may insist that you be supervised by an exercise specialist.

From the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q), Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology .

Pierre Chartier is a professor in both the Fitness and Health Promotion and Recreation and Leisure Services programs. He has a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology, is a Certified Exercise Physiologist and an international presenter on Group Fitness leadership.