In 2007, a collaboration of international authorities and regional health and fitness organizations sought to reduce barriers for low to moderate intensity physical activity participation, and exact the identification of those persons who may require additional screening prior to becoming more physically active. The overall aim was to simplify the follow-up of traditional physical activity participation clearance, expedite the involvement of physicians, allied health care professionals, and/or qualified exercise professionals, thereby reducing the health care costs associated with traditional medical clearance for physical activity participation as an adjunct treatment of chronic conditions.
The new resultant risk stratification and physical activity participation clearance strategy markedly reduces the barriers to physical activity participation for everyone. This includes paper and online versions of the new Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone (PAR-Q+) and the new online electronic Physical Activity Readiness Medical Examination (ePARmed-X+). The PAR-Q+ and ePARmed-X+ can be used to determine your readiness for increased physical activity participation or a fitness appraisal. These forms are meant for everyone regardless of age, sex, or health status. It is our sincere belief that this new risk stratification and physical activity participation clearance strategy will allow more individuals to reap the health benefits of physical activity.
The new PAR-Q+ and ePARmed-X+ were introduced officially at the 3rd International Society for Physical Activity and Health Congress in Toronto, Ontario, Canada (May 5-8, 2010) by Drs. Darren Warburton, Norman Gledhill, Veronica Jamnik, and Shannon Bredin. The first peer reviewed article containing the PAR-Q+ was published in the Health & Fitness Journal of Canada and subsequent updates have been made through this journal. Owing to the evidence-based nature of the PAR-Q+ and ePARmed-X+ both forms require routine update as the evidence expands. These ongoing revisions are made by the PAR-Q+ Collaboration and evaluated by an international consensus committee.
THE PAR-Q+ COLLABORATION
The PAR-Q+ and ePARmed-X+ were formulated, designed, and written by a team of investigators from the PAR-Q+ Collaboration including Dr. Shannon S. D. Bredin, Dr. Jamie Burr, Kim Buxton, Dr. Sarah Charlesworth, Dr. Phil Chilibeck, Dr. Neil Eves, Dr. Heather Foulds, Dr. Norman Gledhill, Dr. Jack Goodman, Dr. Veronica Jamnik, Dr. Lee Jones, Dr. Don McKenzie, Dr. Ryan Rhodes, Dr. Michael Riddell, Dr. Roy J. Shephard, Dr. James Stone, Dr. Scott Thomas, and Dr. Darren E. R. Warburton. A working group of the PAR-Q+ Collaboration (i.e., Dr. Darren Warburton, Dr. Norman Gledhill, Dr. Veronica Jamnik, and Dr. Shannon Bredin) was tasked with creating and updating the PAR-Q+ and ePARmed-X+ with ongoing feedback from members of the PAR-Q+ Collaboration and international authorities. The PAR-Q+ and ePARmed-X+ were created using the AGREE process relying on evidence-based best practice recommendations emanating from recent systematic reviews of the literature, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, and current research practice. The PAR-Q+ and ePARmed-X+ are continually undergoing testing and refinement in various international collaborations.