Progress in physical activity research, policy, and surveillance in Canada: The global observatory for physical...

The purpose of this paper is to examine the evolution of physical activity research and the comprehensiveness of national physical activity policies and surveillance systems in Canada.

A systematic review was conducted by the Global Observatory for Physical Activity (GoPA! ) on physical activity and health publications between 1950 and 2019. Findings from Canada were extracted and included in the present analysis. The number of articles published, female researcher involvement in authorship, author institution affiliations, and publication themes were examined. Policies were evaluated by determining if there was a standalone physical activity plan and if national guidelines existed. Surveillance systems were assessed for periodicity, instruments used, and age inclusivity.

Out of 23,000 + publications analyzed worldwide; 1,962 included data collected in Canada. Physical activity research in Canada increased considerably from the 2000s to 2010s (543 articles vs. 1,288 articles), but an apparent stabilization has been observed more recently. Most physical activity publications in Canada focused on surveillance (37%), with fewer articles on policy (8%) and interventions (7%). The proportion of female first authors increased from 38% in the 1980s to 60% in the last decade. However, females remain the minority for senior authors. With respect to policy, "A Common Vision" is Canada's national plan, which has a singular policy focus on physical activity. National surveillance data is collected regularly with both the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) and the Canadian Community Health Survey. In addition to self-report, the CHMS also collects accelerometer data from participants.

Through collaborative and coordinated action, Canada remains well equipped to tackle physical inactivity. Continued efforts are needed to enhance sustained awareness of existing physical activity promotion resources to increase physical activity.