Strength-training and balance activities in Canada: historical trends and current prevalence

Abstract

Muscle-strengthening and balance activities are associated with the prevention of illness and injury. Age-specific Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines include recommendations for muscle/bone-strengthening and balance activities. From 2000–2014, the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) included a module that assessed frequency in 22 physical activities. In 2020, a healthy living rapid response module (HLV-RR) on the CCHS asked new questions on the frequency of muscle/bonestrengthening and balance activities. The objectives of the study were to (1) estimate and characterize adherence to meeting the muscle/bone-strengthening and balance recommendations; (2) examine associations between muscle/bone-strengthening and balance activities with physical and mental health; and (3) examine trends (2000–2014) in adherence to recommendations.

Using data from the 2020 CCHS HLV-RR, we estimated age-specific prevalence of meeting recommendations. Multivariate logistic regressions examined associations with physical and mental health. Using data from the 2000–2014 CCHS, sex-specific temporal trends in recommendation adherence were explored using logistic regression.

Youth aged 12 to 17 years (56.6%, 95% CI: 52.4–60.8) and adults aged 18 to 64 years (54.9%, 95% CI: 53.1–56.8) had significantly greater adherence to the muscle/ bone-strengthening recommendation than adults aged 65 years and older (41.7%, 95% CI: 38.9–44.5). Only 16% of older adults met the balance recommendation. Meeting the recommendations was associated with better physical and mental health. The proportion of Canadians who met the recommendations increased between 2000 and 2014.

Approximately half of Canadians met their age-specific muscle/bonestrengthening recommendations. Reporting on the muscle/bone-strengthening and balance recommendations elevates their importance alongside the already recognized aerobic recommendation.