Sports should be challenging, fun and build physical, intellectual and emotional skills. They’re a great way to be physically active, to learn teamwork and to learn about both winning and losing competition – a vital life skill.
There can be barriers to participating in sport: expensive equipment and fees can get in the way and individuals or parents looking out for their kids may fear injury from sport-related physical activity.
The data around physical activity are alarming
- On average, Canadian children are sitting too much and moving too little. According to the 2024 ParticipACTION Report Card for Children and Youth, physical activity levels in Canadian youth are low overall, despite a small increase since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Only 39 per cent of 5- to 17-year olds are reaching recommended physical activity levels as outlined in the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth.
- Girls have lower physical activity levels than boys overall, with only 27 per cent of girls meeting recommended physical activity levels compared to 57 per cent of boys.
Parachute wants all Canadians to live long lives to the fullest – and that means being physically active to stay healthy, while preventing serious injury. These guides show how to remove hazards from summer sport and physical recreation activities by following safety standards and using the right equipment.
Resources
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Active and Safe
This website provides evidence-based information on common injuries and injury prevention for 50 different sports and recreational activities.
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Particip
ACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, 2024 
This report card from ParticipACTION is the most comprehensive assessment of child and youth physical activity in Canada.
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Particip
ACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Adults, 2021 
This 2021 report card from ParticipACTION provides an in-depth look at the physical activity levels and behaviours of adults in Canada and considers ways to age better.
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Physical Activity Toolkit for Older Adults– Particip
ACTION 
To help older adults sit less and move more, ParticipACTION developed a Physical Activity Toolkit for Older Adults! The toolkit includes physical activity guidelines, a walking program, a movement log, articles on the role physical activity plays in prevention and management of chronic disease, plus lots of useful resources to help older adults get moving.