Warburton, D.E.R., Charlesworth, S., Ivey, A., Nettlefold, L. & Bredin, S.S.D.(2010). A systematic review of the evidence for Canada's Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity,7,39. doi:10.1186/1479-5868-7-39
Pollock, M.L., Gaesser, G.A., Butcher, J.D., Despres, J., Dishman, R.K., Franklin, B.A., et al. (1998). ACSM position stand: The recommended quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, and flexibility in healthy adults. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 30, 975-991.
The Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability is a partnership of over 30 national associations whose common goal is to facilitate Active Living opportunities for Canadians with a disability.
ALACD provides nationally co-ordinated leadership, support and information to promote healthy, active living opportunities for Canadians of all abilities across all settings and environments.
This website is a resource for Albertans (and Canadians) with a disability to connect and get information on being physically active. It is also a resource for service providers, families and caregivers. An online Active Living Gear Kit is also included. The extensive resources section includes
handbooks for parents;
the "Moving To Inclusion" series, which provides tips on how to adapt activities and an equipment bag with toys and sports equipment that can be borrowed;
10 tips for events planning;
accessibility standards and guidelines for building or renovating a recreational facility.
This is a collection of research articles referencing the Canadian physical activity guidelines. Volume 98; Volume 32 Applied Journal of Public Health; Vol 98, Supp 2, 2007 and Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism; Vol 32, Supp 2E, 2007
A link to this resource is unavailable. A hard copy is available in the Centre library: Physical Activity--Research, ID #1209
This document provides the guidelines outlines by the American Cancer Society regarding the role physical activity and nutrition play in cancer prevention.
Byers, T., Nestle, M., McTiernan, A., Doyle, C., Currie-Williams, A., Gansler, T., et al. (2002). American Cancer Society guidelines on nutrition and physical activity for cancer prevention: Reducing the risk of cancer with healthy food choices and physical activity. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 52, 92-119.
28 pages Published: Feb 2006 GeoOrigin: International
Kushi, L.H.,Byers, T., Doyle, C.,Bandera, E.V. McCullough, M., Gansler, T., Andrews, K.S.,Thun, M.J.(2006). American Cancer Society Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention: Reducing the Risk of Cancer With Healthy Food Choices and Physical Activity. A Cancer Journal for Clinicians,56, 254–281.
doi: 10.1002/ijc.23716
pdf file, 41 pages Published: 2003 GeoOrigin: National
These guidelines update the weight classification system used in Canada since 1988. The guidelines identify health risks associated with body weight in individuals and populations and are aligned with World Health Organizations recommendations.
Resources include
a technical report;
a quick reference tool for professionals; and
questions and answers for both the public and professionals.
PDF file, 2 pages Published: Nov 2012 GeoOrigin: National
These guidelines are appropriate for adults (aged 18-64 years) with minimal to moderate disability resulting from either relapsing remitting or progressive forms of multiple sclerosis.
The Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging created a video and brochure to help make the public aware of the new physical activity guidelines for adults over the age of 65.
Bull, F.C., Bellew, B., Schšppe, S., & Bauman, A.E. (2004). Developments in national physical activity policy: An international review and recommendations towards better practice. Journal of Science & Medicine in Sport, 7(Suppl. 1), 93-104.
Lichtenstein, A.H., Appel, L.J., Brands, M. Carnethon, M., Daniels, S., Franch, H.A., et al. (2006). Diet and lifestyle recommendations revision 2006: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association nutrition committee. Circulation, 114, 82-96.
The 6th edition of Dietary Guidelines for Americans places stronger emphasis on reducing calorie consumption and increasing physical activity. A key recommendation is to participate in regular physical activity and reduce sedentary activities to promote health, psychological well-being, and a healthy body weight.
Vallance, J.K.H., Courneya, K.S., Jones, L.W., & Reiman, T. (2005). Differences in quality of life between non-Hodgkin's lymphoma survivors meeting and not meeting public health exercise guidelines. Psycho-Oncology, 14, 979-991
Morabia, A., & Costanza, M.C. (2004). Does walking 15 minutes per day keep the obesity epidemic away? Simulation of the efficacy of a population wide campaign. American Journal of Public Health, 94, 437-440.
This guide book is available in English and French. It has a series of exercises that are appropriate after surgery. It's an excellent resource for those who have had breast cancer surgery.
Looking for other ideas to include in your active living lifestyle? Are you an older adult interested in starting an exercise program? The American National Institute on Aging has developed a user-friendly web site that includes guidelines and support resources to help older adults initiate an exercise program. Web site topics include
the benefits of exercise;
safety considerations;
exercise guidelines;
ways to chart your progress;
FAQs.
Print and video resources are also available from this site.
pdf file, 7 pages Published: Jun 2003 GeoOrigin: National
These guidelines were produced by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) and Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology (CSEP).
The guidelines aim to make health-care providers working with women and mothers more aware of the impact of exercise on maternal-fetal health outcomes.
Warburton, D.E.R., Nicol, C.W., & Bredin, S.D.S. (2006). Health benefits of physical activity: The evidence. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 174, 801-809.
pdf file, 52 pages Published: May 2010 GeoOrigin: Ontario
Recommendations for public health and other professionals working in chronic disease prevention. Designed to help professionals make informed decisions about the provision of programs and resources for the promotion of healthy eating and physical activity.
Healthy U is a public information and education website to support and encourage Albertans to lead healthier lifestyles by providing them with access to information on healthy eating and active living.
The website has three sections where you can find general information and tips on:
Active Living.
Healthy Eating.
Healthy Places (Workplace, Schools, Communities).
You will also find access to various resources and tools, Alberta's nutrition guidelines and information about funding for community activities.
Great website for your clients, patients, family and even yourself.
Describes the guides for adults, older adults, and children and youth. Explains how to achieve a healthier lifestyle by making physical activity a central part of each day. Includes ordering information for print versions. Production of this material has been made possible through a financial contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Tudor-Locke, C., & Bassett, D.R., Jr. (2004). How many steps/day are enough? Preliminary pedometer indices for public health. Sports Medicine, 34, 1-8.
Saris, W.H.M., Blair, S.N., van Baak, M.A., Eaton, S.B., Davies, P.S.W., Di Pietro, L., Fogelholm, M., et al. (2003). How much physical activity is enough to prevent unhealthy weight gain? Outcome of the IASO 1st Stock Conference and consensus statement. Obesity Reviews, 4, 101.
Provides guidelines on how much and how often to exercise. Discusses endurance, flexibility, and strength activities. Production of this material has been made possible through a financial contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
This resource is a guide for population-based approaches to increasing levels of physical activity. It describes the implementation of the WHO global strategy on diet, physical activity and health.
A link to this resource is unavailable. A hard copy is available in the Centre library: Physical Activity--Programs [file cabinet], ID#1214
Stokols, D., Grzywacz, J.G., McMahan, S., & Phillips, K. (2003). Increasing the health promotive capacity of human environments . American Journal of Health Promotion, 18, 4-13.
This unique online tool helps take the confusion away by allowing you to compare the nutrition information on packaged foods to the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines.
Tudor-Locke, C.E., & Myers, A.M. (2001). Methodological considerations for researchers and practitioners using pedometers to measure physical (ambulatory) activity. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 72, 1-12.
This website helps you search many resources about physical activity, leisure and exercise for people with mobility barriers to physical activity
The programs and resources include the following:
Books, journals, magazines, newsletters, pamphlets and reports.
The American National Institute on Aging has developed a user-friendly web site to help older adults begin an exercise program. Web site topics include
html file, 2 pages Published: 2002 GeoOrigin: Alberta
This Research Update article describes a workshop to improve the effectiveness of Alberta dietitians in physical activity counselling, using Canada's Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living as a key educational tool.
Partners in the workshop included the University of Alberta's Department of Agricultural Food and Nutritional Science, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, and provincial Be Fit for Life Network.
PACE Canada is a tool kit and counselling guide to help physicians increase their patients' physical activity levels and improve their eating habits. The guide has been adapted from the internationally recognized PACE program and has been extended to include older adults, who are at significantly higher risk of sedentary living. PACE Canada, developed by the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute in collaboration with the American Project PACE team and the Active Living Coalition for Older Adults, is endorsed by the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
What is a pedometer? Where do I wear it? How many steps should I aim to take? For answers to these and other questions, check out this revised information sheet prepared by the Alberta Centre for Active Living.
Bassuk, S.S., & Manson, J.E. (2003). Physical activity and cardiovascular disease prevention in women: How much is good enough?. Exercise & Sports Sciences Reviews, 31, 176-181.
Paterson, D.H. & Warburton, D.E.R. (2010).
Physical activity and functional limitations in older adults: a systematic review related to Canada's Physical Activity Guidelines. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity,7,38. doi:10.1186/1479-5868-7-38
Erlichman, J., Kerbey, A.L., & James, W.P.T. (2002). Physical activity and its impact on health outcomes. Paper 2: Prevention of unhealthy weight gain and obesity by physical activity: An analysis of the evidence. Obesity Reviews, 3, 273.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have created this website to help the general public understand the new physical activity guidelines released by the U.S. government.
Included in the guidelines are short video clips that help to explain the guidelines.
Briffa, T.G., Maiorana, A., Sheerin, N.J., Stubbs, A.G., Oldenburg, B.F., Sammel, N.L., et al. (2006). Physical activity for people with cardiovascular disease: Recommendations of the National Heart Foundation of Australia. Medical Journal of Australia, 184, 71-75.
PDF file, 1 page Published: 2011 GeoOrigin: National
These guidelines are appropriate for all healthy adults with chronic spinal cord injury, traumatic or non-traumatic, including tetraplegia and paraplegia, irrespective of gender, race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status. Adults are encouraged to participate in a variety of physical activities that are enjoyable and safe.
pdf file, 18 pages Published: 2010 GeoOrigin: National
This discussion paper from the Canadian Academy of Sports Medicine (CASM) provides recommendations regarding physical activity with children who have chronic conditions such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, hemophilia, asthma, and cystic fibrosis.
You may also like to review other position papers of the CASM.
Warburton, D.E.R., Nicol, C.W., & Bredin, S.D.S. (2006). Prescribing exercise as preventive therapy. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 174, 801-809.
Janssen, I. & LeBlanc, A.G. (2010). Systematic review of the health benefits of physical activity and fitness in school-aged children and youth. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity,7,1. doi:10.1186/1479-5868-7-40
pdf file, 2 pages Published: Mar 2003 GeoOrigin: National
This tip sheet provides you with information on what to expect from a quality fitness program and what questions you should be asking to ensure you get the appropriate service for your needs.
After three years of research analysis, CSEP has updated the recommendations for physical activity. The research was funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada and is available in complete form in a thematic series of academic articles published on May 11, 2010, in the (http://www.ijbnpa.org/series/canada_physical_activity, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Public Health}.
Discusses whether age is a cause for concern, presents safety guidelines, explores the advisability of avoiding near maximal lifts, and lists the benefits of resistance training. Production of this material has been made possible through a financial contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
pdf file, 39 pages Published: 2008 GeoOrigin: Ontario
This report, put together by Play Works, discusses the benefits of and how to create communities that are youth friendly.
The report reviews eight common good practices for communities. Using these good practices, a community can take concrete steps to develop a youth friendly community.
The report also provides success stories and suggestions on ways to take action.