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Sport England reveal Active People Survey results

Sport England - 07/12/2006

Sport England aims to have two million more people involved in sport by 2012
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Just over half the population do not participate in sport or active recreation, a Sport England survey revealed today. However, the results did show that one in four adults do belong to a health or sports club, and that six million people have taken part in competitive sport in the last year.

The Active People survey is the largest ever held into the sport and recreational habits of people in England, with 363,724 people being questioned in all 354 English local authorities.

It also revealed that 69.5% of adults are satisfied with the sports provision in their area, with 21% hitting the recommended target of 30 minutes of moderate intensity sport or recreation on at least three days a week. A total of 6.3% were found to exercise every day.

Sport England, the body charged with sustaining and increasing participation in sport, commissioned Ipsos MORI to carry out the survey in order to gauge how sporty people in England really are, with inactivity found to be costing the UK’s health services an estimated £8.2 million each year. The results will help Sport England, working with local authorities and sports bodies throughout the country, to identify where resources should be targeted to improve community sport.

“The survey highlights for the first time a true picture of activity and inactivity in England,” said Derek Mapp, Chair of Sport England. “Knowing the scale of the challenge is the first step to putting it right and it is a wake up call to people everywhere. We aim to get two million more people doing sport by 2012. It’s a huge challenge and we are ready for it,” he added.

The survey also gave an insight into the most popular sports across England. The top 10 include recreational walking, swimming, going to the gym and running.

“This survey and the actions that will flow from it will be powerful tools in our fight against inactivity,” continued Mapp. The power of sport is immense, not just improving the health of the nation and helping to build communities, but because it is fun and makes us feel better both mentally and physically.”