CFLRI – A best kept secret
Established in 1980, the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute (CFLRI) is a registered, not-for-profit, research institution. The CFLRI examines physical activity and sport levels of Canadians, the factors that increase and decrease participation and the capacity of various systems and environments to support participation. The fundamental objective of the CFLRI is to provide credible data for policy- and decision-makers, practitioners and researchers through innovative data collection and analysis and knowledge mobilization to inform and affect evidence-based policy and practice across Canada. The CFLRI shares knowledge about the importance of leading healthy, active lifestyles through its publications and contributions to the work of strategic partners. The CFLRI is a key leader in bringing this knowledge to those promoting sport, physical activity, and recreation (SPAR).
Long-standing expertise in SPAR monitoring and surveillance
- 45 years in existence
- Unique
- only research organization dedicated specifically to SPAR
- only organization that not only looks at the population but also domains and settings (the system)
The data gamut – The socio-ecological model
Components
Why is this important?
10 strategic uses of your SPAR data
The goal of the Federal/Provincial/Territorial SPAR Research and Evaluation Consultations is to equip federal, provincial and territorial partners with the knowledge and tools required to strengthen the strategy, policy, communication and social/physical supports needed to enhance physical activity in each jurisdiction.
To this end, CFLRI advocates the adoption and enhancement of 10 strategic uses of your SPAR data:
- Develop policy and strategies
- Plan programs, services and infrastructure
- Develop budgets
- Tailor your approach to specific populations (e.g., demographics, Indigenous, EDIA, psychographics)
- Develop promotion and marketing
- Inform your knowledge mobilization activities
- Align with social, health, environmental and economic partners in your jurisdiction
- Evaluate policies and programs
- Develop departmental performance measures
- Assess trends in physical activity
The next modules will expand on each strategic use of SPAR data. Some may validate your current efforts. Others may inspire you to build your capacity to make the most of your SPAR data.