Warmer weather is upon us, inviting people across Canada to play outside for longer and make the most of this favourite time of year. And what better way to do that than by participating in a nationwide physical activity initiative that comes with some perks and prizes.
This year marks the third edition of the ParticipACTION Community Better Challenge, a program that encourages Canadians to be more physically active both individually and with their communities. In partnership with ParticipACTION, we look at why it’s a great idea to get involved.
Over the last two-and-a-half years with the pandemic, many Canadians have been feeling isolated and unable to connect, and have lost opportunities to engage with others through meaningful activities. The ParticipACTION Community Better Challenge, which kicked off June 1, helps people come together and work toward a shared goal of improving their physical and mental health. Participants can also potentially help win the challenge’s top prize of $100,000 for their community, along with the title of Canada’s Most Active Community.
From June 1 to 30, all individuals, sport groups, recreation centres, workplaces, schools and organizations can participate in the challenge by tracking their activities through the ParticipACTION app or website.
Any form of physical activity counts toward the challenge — from household work like gardening to engaging in a team sport — and the challenge can be a great motivator to recruit friends and family to try activities they’ve never done before.
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“Anything from a pick-up soccer game to a basketball game is great. Going on a group walk or hike are other great options,” says Dr. Leigh Vanderloo, scientific director at ParticipACTION. She also suggests biking, exploring the neighbourhood, swimming at the beach or in a pool, taking the dog for a walk and playing yard games, as well as participating in community events.
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For children and youth, the recommended amount of physical activity is 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, while for adults and older adults, it’s 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week — though Vanderloo says it doesn’t have to be done all at once and can be broken up throughout the day or week. “There’s no such thing as bad movement, and something is better than nothing,” she says.
The health benefits of physical activity include improved mood, increased energy, and reduced feelings of stress or worry, but many people may not realize the community connection benefits it can also provide. “It’s also a great way to build on feelings of inclusion, accessibility, acceptability and also to build that welcoming environment,” Vanderloo says.
ParticipACTION provides micro-grants to community organizations across Canada to help support physical activity–related programming for locals during the challenge period. From Nova Scotia to Nunavut, activities will be held to encourage residents to discover fun new ways to get moving.
READ MORE: ‘Live long and prosper’: Vulcan wins title of Alberta’s most active community
“If we’re supported by our broader community to be physically active, we’re more likely to be active. So, if our community has opportunities and encouragement, then as a resident in that community, we’re more likely to be physically active,” says Elio Antunes, president and CEO of ParticipACTION.
These community events also help promote inclusivity and social connection for equity-deserving groups and newcomers to Canada, who may not have any social connections or understand the opportunities available to them.
Antunes says that the misconception of physical activity is that people think of it as a nice-to-have when it’s really a necessity of life — not only for personal physical and mental health, but community health as well. “It’s a way to engage all members of a community on an equal footing in a fun, engaging way,” he says, adding that it builds powerful connections to community and stronger relationships with others.
Register for the Community Better Challenge or download the app to track your activity on the ParticipACTION website.