Barriers to physical activity Lack of time, energy and motivation are the top three barriers to physical activity experienced by adult Canadians. Inactive Canadians are more likely than active Canadians to report lack of motivation, lack of skill, lack of energy, fear of injury, problems with child care, long-term illness or injury, feeling uncomfortable, lack of safe places, and lack of support. How Canadians spend their time Highly active Canadians do not have more leisure time than sedentary Canadians. In fact, they work two hours longer, spend the same amount of time caring for children, take a little less time doing housework, and have slightly less leisure time. Both spend about 11 hours a week watching television and a little over 9 hours reading, listening to music, or pursuing hobbies.
Active adults tend to watch less television and spend more time on other leisure pursuits.
Stages of change in physical activity Adoption of a physically active lifestyle occurs in stages and involves progression and regression. They have taken steps to become active in the last 12 months, and they intend to stay active. They have a stable pattern of physical activity and have probably developed effective strategies for avoiding relapse. They were active at some point in the last 12 months but are no longer active. They intend to resume physical activity in the foreseeable future, however.