Pre-exercise screening is used to identify those who may have medical conditions which put them at a higher risk of an adverse event during physical activity/exercise. It is a filter or ‘safety net’ to help determine if the potential benefits of exercise outweigh the risks for an individual.
The PAR-Q was created by the British Columbia Ministry of Health and the Multidisciplinary Board on Exercise. This form has been endorsed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
What Are the PAR-Q Questions?
The PAR-Q includes only seven yes or no questions, making it quick and easy to take. These questions are:
- Has your doctor ever said that you have a heart condition and that you should only do physical activity recommended by a doctor?
- Do you feel pain in your chest when you do physical activity?
- In the past month, have you had chest pain when you were not doing physical activity?
- Do you lose your balance because of dizziness or do you ever lose consciousness?
- Do you have a bone or joint problem that could be made worse by a change in your physical activity?
- Is your doctor currently prescribing drugs (for example, water pills) for your blood pressure or heart condition?
- Do you know of any other reason why you should not do physical activity?
If You Answered Yes
If you answer yes to one or more PAR-Q questions, then, the next step is to take the PAR-Q+ (10 follow-up questions). These questions ask about whether you have specific health conditions, such as arthritis and cancer.
Answer yes to any of these and it is recommended that you consult a physician before starting training with a Personal Trainer or substantially increasing your physical activity.
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