Canada Sees Uneven Trends in Adult Physical Activity
A new federal report highlights changing exercise habits among different age and gender demographics across Canada.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Fitness
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Statistics Canada reports that 46% of Canadian adults now meet national physical activity recommendations. The findings, spanning from 2007 to 2024, show significant shifts in how different age groups and genders maintain their health.
Why it matters
Understanding these demographic variations is essential for assessing national health trends and identifying groups that may require targeted support to reach activity goals. The data provides a clearer picture of how Canadians are moving as they navigate different stages of life.
A report from Statistics Canada indicates that while 46% of adults meet physical activity guidelines, the prevalence of exercise varies widely by age and sex. The analysis utilized accelerometer-measured data to track trends from 2007 to 2024.
The players
Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada is the national statistical agency that collects, compiles, and publishes data about the nation's population, resources, economy, and society.
The details
Among 18- to 39-year-old males, activity levels remained steady at 65%, while females in the same age range saw a 9 percentage point decrease from 52% to 43%. Conversely, seniors aged 60 to 79 showed a positive trend, with the percentage meeting recommendations increasing by 9 percentage points over the study period.
Timeline
2007 to 2024: Study period for tracking physical activity trends.
2022 to 2024: Study period for analyzing daily step counts and activity distribution.
October 2026: Official release date of the Health Reports article.
The Big Picture
This study evaluates national health progress relative to the Canadian physical activity recommendations. By measuring trends against these federal benchmarks, the report determines which population segments successfully meet established health goals.
For younger women, the data suggests that adding just 5 to 10 minutes of daily activity could help reach recommended targets. Meanwhile, 50% of women aged 60 to 79 currently receive less than 10 minutes of vigorous activity, suggesting a need for more accessible routine exercise options.
The takeaway
Maintaining 6,000 to 8,000 steps daily is a practical target for many seeking measurable health benefits. Adapting daily routines to include small bursts of movement may prove more effective than attempting sudden, large-scale changes in exercise habits.
Further reading
For more information on national health trends and research, visit the Canada Fitness section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Statistics Canada.
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