Questions To Include In A Physical Activity Questionnaire

Some so many people struggle with being active, especially as they age.

It’s essential to work closely with your patients to assess their level of physical activity and try to make small lifestyle changes to help them become more active. This includes encouraging them to walk or bike to nearby destinations instead of driving or using public transportation.

Here are some questions you can have in a physical activity questionnaire to help you get the information you need about your patients’ current habits and their motivations/barriers to being more active.

How long has it been since you exercised?

The first question to include in a physical activity questionnaire is how long it has been since a person last exercised.

This can be an important factor because if a person hasn’t exercised recently, they may be less motivated to start or resume an exercise program.

One way to find out how long it has been since you exercised is to ask yourself when you last went for a run, took a walk, or did some other physical activity that involved getting your heart rate up and sweating.

Do you want to exercise but can’t find the time?

One of the most significant issues people face when trying to exercise is that they say they can’t find the time.

This may be true, but you can usually find some time to squeeze in a quick workout if you want to.

Many people who say they don’t have time say that they don’t want to make room for physical activity in their day—which is fine.

What kind of exercise do you do currently?

Answer yes or no to each of these questions:

Do you currently exercise regularly?

What type of physical activity do you enjoy doing (walking, running, swimming, biking, etc.)?

What form(s) of exercise have you tried before?

How often do you typically exercise in a week?

Is your current level of physical activity enough to achieve and maintain an appropriate fitness level?

Do you find it hard to stick with your workout routine regularly?

If so, why is that?

What was your high school activity level like?

This is a great way to gauge whether your subject is active, inactive, or somewhere between. If they don’t remember what high school was like, they’re probably not that active.

If they can’t stop talking about their high school years and how involved they were, then you know you have an athlete on your hands. Either way is excellent.

When did you start becoming less active?

Being aware of when you became less active can help you pinpoint where your lack of motivation is coming from.

Is it because a significant event in your life has caused the stress?

Do you feel unwell and unable to exercise?

There could be countless reasons we put on weight, so understanding why will help us work out what we need to do to get back on track.

With some gentle probing, you should know why your activity levels have dropped off and, therefore, what type of things can tempt you into action.

What are some barriers you face in exercising now?

People differ in their attitudes towards exercise. Some people are entirely unwilling to commit any time at all to physical activity, while others have no trouble doing it every day.

Sit down and make a list of obstacles that might prevent you from being physically active, and think about ways you can overcome them.

If your answers include things like I don’t have enough time or I’m too lazy, take some time to consider why these are barriers for you personally and what steps could be taken to alleviate them.

Where does your motivation come from?

Motivation is one of those things that are either easy or hard to come by, depending on your personality and lifestyle.

For example, you might find that exercising when a personal trainer is standing in front of you is much easier than getting off your couch on days where all you want to do is curl up with a pint of ice cream and binge-watch The Office.

Have any major life events could have influenced your physical activity levels?

Yes/No. Example: Having a baby. Life events in one’s life have been shown to influence one’s physical activity level. Suppose you have experienced a significant life event recently.

In that case, it is essential to include it in your questionnaire, as it could help explain any changes in your physical activity over time.

How often do you exercise outside vs. inside the home?

The most effective physical activity is done in natural environments, so you’ll want to get outside and walk as often as possible.

However, if you have a gym membership or live in an area with access to swimming pools, gyms, etc., it’s worth taking advantage of that once in a while.

Does the time of day you exercise make a difference in how much time you spend doing it?

Different people have different energy levels at other times of the day. If you’re focusing on exercising for a certain period, know how much it’s helping you out.

If your workout is better at one time than another, pay attention to why that is. Are you energized by exercising after work? Do you need help staying motivated? Schedule your exercise time during a period when it will have maximum impact on your goals and lifestyle.

Free physical activity questionnaire template

If you are a medical practitioner needing a free physical activity questionnaire template, you are in luck.

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