HOW ACTIVE ARE ALBERTANS?

The Alberta Centre for Active Living has just released its most recent
survey of physical activity levels among Albertans. Through funding from the
Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks & Wildlife Foundation, the centre surveyed
1,209 adults from across the province. The Alberta Centre for Active Living
is a provincial non-profit research and education centre associated with the
Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta.

To view the complete report, please visit the Alberta Centre for Active
Living’s web site at
www.centre4activeliving.ca/whatsnew/currentprojects.html.

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SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS

-  Although most Albertans (97%) agree or strongly agree that physical
activity will keep them healthy, 43% are not active enough to receive health
benefits (57% are active).

-  Seventy-two per cent of Albertans agree or strongly agree that they have
easy access to places where they can be physically active.

-  The survey found that confidence in being able to overcome barriers to
physical activity (e.g., being tired, not having enough time, bad weather)
had the greatest effect on whether a person participated in physical
activity.

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FACTORS AFFECTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

-  Gender: More men (60%) than women (54%) are active. In addition, more men
participate in strenuous activities than women.

-  Income: Annual household income influences physical activity
participation. For example, Albertans earning $100,00 or more participate
more in physical activity than Albertans earning $30,000–39,000 and
$40,000–59,000.

-  Age: As age increases, physical activity decreases.The 18–24 age group
reported significantly higher levels of physical activity than all other
groups. The 25–44 group also reported more physical activity than the 45–64
and and 65 and over groups.

-  Education: Albertans with a higher level of education tend to believe
more strongly in the health benefits of physical activity. More highly
educated Albertans also tend to be more confident in their ability to be
physically active.

-  Provincial location: Provincial location significantly affects Albertans’
perceptions of easy access to recreational facilities. People outside
Edmonton and Calgary feel less able to access places where they can
participate in physical activity.

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Kathy Garnsworthy
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Alberta Centre for Active Living
Edmonton AB
Tel.: 780 415-6248 (Mon./Tues./Wed./Fri.)
www.centre4activeliving.ca
"Research and education for the promotion of physical activity."

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