The Opportunities for Physical Activity at School Study assesses opportunities for physical activity and sport through the school system. It collects cross-sectional data on policies and programs available at school to support participation.

The school study was established in 2001, with data collection occurring about every 5 years. Initial indicators were identified in 1996 as part of the overall needs assessment for the Physical Activity and Sport Monitoring System.

School administrators from across Canada are invited to complete and return a questionnaire which is mailed to a random selection of schools.

The first wave was collected in 2001, with subsequent waves occurring in 2006, 2011, 2015, and in 2020. Sample sizes for the school study range from 6,000 to 10,000.

The survey covers a variety of topics related to participation, namely:

• information related to physical activity and sport
• availability of programs and facilities
• physical education
• extracurricular activities and after school programs
• collaboration and partnerships
• human resources considerations
• financial considerations
• inclusivity
• policies and social environment.

• Provides a comprehensive synopsis, at a national level, of current policies, programs, facilities and opportunities at school
• Provides information on supports and key barriers (e.g., attitudes of stakeholders, policies)
• Ability to track trends over time
• Use of standardized measures and methodology
• Consistent methods producing irreplaceable trend data, allowing for assessment of impact of strategies/policies
• Credibility
• Flexibility.

The Survey of Physical Activity Opportunities in Canadian Communities measures opportunities for physical activity and sport in local communities. It collects cross-sectional data on policies, programs, services and infrastructure supporting healthy active lifestyles.

The study was established in 1999, with data collection occurring about every 5 years. Study content was identified in the 1996 needs assessment for the Physical Activity and Sport Monitoring System.

All municipal administrators across Canada are invited to complete and return a mailed questionnaire. Studies of communities have been conducted in 2000, 2004, 2009, 2015, and 2020. Sample includes all municipalities in Canada.

The survey covers a variety of topics related to participation, namely:

• municipal policies
• infrastructure
• services supporting physical activity
• municipal programming and schedules
• barriers and requirements
• availability of physical activity information

• Provides a comprehensive picture, at a national level, of policies, programs, infrastructure and opportunities to support active modes of commuting and participation in physical activity and sport.
• Provides information on factors enabling and constraining opportunities (e.g., infrastructure, scheduling)
• Ability to track trends over time
• Use of standardized measures and methodology
• Consistent methods producing irreplaceable trend data, allowing for assessment of impact of strategies/policies
• Credibility
• Flexibility.

The Opportunities for Physical Activity at Work Study examines opportunities for physical activity and sport at work. It collects cross-sectional data on policies, promotions, programs and facilities to encourage participation.

The first workplace study that was part of the Physical Activity and Sport Monitoring Program was designed in 2002 based on an earlier 1992 CFLRI Workplace Study. The survey was conducted in 2003, 2007-2008 and 2021.

The survey consisted of a self-completed questionnaire, which is mailed to workplace administrators. The mailings are followed by reminders.

This survey collects data on:

• supportive policies for physical activity at work
• availability of facilities at work to be active
• other opportunities to be active at or near work
• work related benefits of physical activity
• work related barriers to physical activity
• demand for resources
• encouragement for physical activity

• Provides a comprehensive portrait, at a national level, of policies, programs, promotions, facilities and opportunities at work
• Provided information on the capacity of workplaces to promote a healthy active lifestyle
• Ability to track trends over time
• Use of standardized measures and methodology
• Consistent methods producing irreplaceable trend data, allowing for assessment of impact of strategies/policies
• Credibility
• Flexibility.

The Sport and Recreation Organizations Survey examines opportunities within national, provincial/territorial, and community-based sport and recreation organizations. It collects cross-sectional data on policies, promotions, programs and facilities to encourage participation.

The first Sport and Recreation Organizations Survey was conducted in 2020-2021.

The study consisted of an online survey of sport administrators among national, provincial/territorial, and community-based organizations. The original invitation to participated was followed by reminders.

This survey collects data on:

• policies and standards
• programming
• facilities and equipment
• partnerships and networking
• organizational capacity

• Provides a comprehensive portrait of policies, programs, promotions, facilities and opportunities through sport and recreation organizations
• Provides information on the capacity of sport and recreation organizations to promote a healthy active lifestyle
• Credibility

This Parent Survey explores opportunities for children’s participation in physical activity and sport from a parental perspective.

Initial indicators were identified through the Advisory Committee of the Monitoring Program, based on the needs of governments.

The nationally representative sample was determined through recruitment from several online panels. The sample involved parents or guardians, 18 years or older, who were responsible for children and youth aged 5 to 17 years. Data was collected through an online survey. Previous iterations of the survey used random-digit dialling from household-based telephone directories. This random sample of households was selected roughly proportional to the population in each province and territory. Within each household, an individual, 18 years or older, was randomly selected. All parents in the sample were invited to participate in the additional module of the survey. Data was collected using a CATI (computer-assisted telephone interview) system.

The surveys focused on individual-level factors associated with physical activity and sport. The Parent Study included factors related to children’s physical activity and sport such as:

• various types of activity
• sport participation
• parental involvement
• availability, satisfaction and usage of facilities
• perceptions about sport and physical activity

• Provided an understanding of parental knowledge of how much activity children require
• Provided trends over time
• Credibility
• Flexibility