 |
Lockdown's full impact on participation revealed by Sport England's new Active Lives results
26 Oct 2020
Gains made getting people more physically active over the last few years were all but 'cancelled out' during the first seven weeks of lockdown, according to Sport England.
In publishing its latest Active Lives survey, the sports body said activity levels in England were on course to reach record highs before the pandemic hit.
The study – conducted on behalf of Sport England by Ipsos MORI – covers the 12 months from mid-May 2019 to mid-May 2020 and includes the first seven weeks of lockdown restrictions.
Figures show that more than 3 million people were less active between mid-March and mid-May, compared to the same period a year before, demonstrating the extent to which people’s lives were disrupted.
The survey results also highlight the importance of organised sport and access to facilities for specific group – and that some groups found it more difficult to adapt to the new regulations than others.
Disabled people, people aged 70 and over, people with long-term health conditions and people from black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups (BAME) were disproportionately impacted.
The proportion of active 16-34-year-olds dropped by 10 per cent during lockdown, likely due to their reliance on the activities that were not available in this period and the closure of school and further education settings.
Overall, the data shows that between mid-May 2019 and mid-May 2020, just 62.8 per cent of adults (28.6m) were classed as active, achieving 150+ minutes of activity a week.
More than a quarter of adults (25.5 per cent – 11.6m) were deemed inactive (less than 30 minutes of physical activity a week).
With gyms, swimming pools and sports clubs closing their doors in March 2020, people turned towards activities such as walking, cycling and running.
Walking for leisure showed growth across the 12 months, while cycling for leisure, running and fitness activities continued to follow flat trends.
New products and increased promotion of digitally consumed fitness activities led to more people exercising at home.
During full lockdown, more than 13 million adults took part in fitness activities. This made it the second most common activity undertaken behind walking for leisure.
"With gyms and leisure centres closed, people were encouraged to find alternative activities that could be accessed at home," the report reads.
"The fitness sector was quick to respond, and people were able to switch to digital and self-led fitness classes and interval sessions.
"As a result, numbers held up more than would have been expected. Other ways of exercising at home are reflected in the increase in generic fitness training, which includes activities such as press-ups, pull-ups and other bodyweight exercises."
Tim Hollingsworth, Sport England CEO, said: “Though the early months of lockdown brought unprecedented disruption to our lives and had a huge impact on our overall engagement in sport and physical activity, it is also positive to see how many people turned to new activities like cycling, fitness at home and running.
"It also highlights the challenges this year has brought to those groups who already find it harder than most to be active, with disabled people, people with health conditions and younger people struggling, reminding us of the importance of educational settings, community leisure facilities and team sports that underpin access to activity for so many people across England.
"As facilities have reopened and activities have restarted, great credit is due to those who are out there working incredibly hard ensuring people can return to the sports and activities they love, and though we know the winter months will bring additional challenges, with government support we will continue to support our sector through our funding, our insight and our campaigns."
• To download and read the full Active Lives study, click here for the Sport England website.
back
|
| Latest member news |
 |
|
Impulse Leisure supports the local community by donating food
Thurrock Community Leisure (operating as Impulse Leisure) have gone above and
beyond in supporting their local community over the festive period by donating
food to vulnerable people in Thurrock.
read more...
Walking app helps families discover zombies and dinosaurs in Hollingworth Lake and Country Park
An interactive mobile app has helped Rochdale residents discover the great
outdoors as part of a new trail on the Love Exploring app at Hollingworth Lake and
Country Park.
read more...
Iconic Victorian pool closing for major investment
Another of Edinburgh’s iconic Victorian pools, Warrender Swim Centre, home to the
Warrender Baths Club said to be the oldest, most famous and most successful
swimming club in Scotland has temporarily closed for a major refurbishment, with a
planned reopening in September 2021.
read more...
New strength and conditioning suite complete
High Life Highland has completed its new strength and conditioning suite at
Inverness Leisure.
read more...
Valentines makes it into the nation’s Top Ten favourite parks!
Vision RCL is delighted that Valentines Park is one of the ten most popular Green
Flag Award-winning parks in the country – for the second-year running.
read more...
|
|
Freedom Leisure scoop two wins at the Swim Wales National Awards
This year’s virtual awards ceremony was held on Thursday 18th December. The event
run by Swim Wales recognises the inspiring work that individuals and organisations
deliver across Wales to enable people of all ages and abilities to learn the skill
that saves lives – swimming!
read more...
Christmas cheer, festive frocks, and delicious delights for everyone, socially distanced of course!
According to AGE UK more than 850,000 older people could have spent Christmas
alone in 2020.
Despite being unable to prevent their participants being alone this Christmas, The Community Team
at Magna Vitae Trust for Leisure and Culture, swapped Christmas parties, buffets and winter games
with personalised gifts, festive food filled hampers and Christmas Carols.
More than 70 food hampers, each filled with delicious treats, were made by the local and independent
business Pocklingtons Bakery in Withern. All were hand delivered to participants doorsteps, along
with a personal gift, by the Community Team.
read more...
Sport Aberdeen to support people with respiratory conditions in partnership with NHS Grampian
Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen has developed a programme to specifically
support people with respiratory conditions to be active and live well, in
partnership with NHS Grampian.
read more...
GLL wins Water Leisure Operator of the Year Award
GLL has won a major award for its swimming facilities. The UK Pool & Spa Awards is
the annual 'Oscars' for the leisure industry's swimming providers.
read more...
Rochdale leisure centres receive glowing customer feedback
When Leisure centres in the borough of Rochdale reopened their doors to the public
in December following a month of closure, they picked up glowing customer
satisfaction scores.
read more...
|
|
|
|
| Events |
 |
|
|
All weekly HR and finance meetings have been ceased. For more information about Special Interest Group and regional / national members meetings, please contact [email protected]
|
|
|
| Job vacancies |
|
|
Leisure Assistant x 2
Salary: £18,426 - £18,795 per annum, pro rata
Location: Cambridge, UK
Company: Chesterton Sports Centre
Read more and apply
|
Duty Manager
Salary: £18,950 - £22,302
Location: Wigan, UK
Company: Leigh Sports Village
Read more and apply
|
Lifeguards
Salary: Competitive salary
Location: Shipston-on-Stour, UK
Company: Everyone Active
Read more and apply
|
Casual Swimming Teachers
Salary: £19,312 Fixed Point (Pro-rata)
Location: Carmarthenshire, UK
Company: Actif Sport and Leisure
Read more and apply
|
Gymnastics Coach
Salary: Competitive
Location: St Albans, United Kingdom
Company: Everyone Active
Read more and apply
|
Exercise Referral Specialist Coordinator
Salary: £25,110
Location: Kirklees, UK
Company: Kirklees Active Leisure
Read more and apply
|
Exercise Referral Specialist Instructor
Salary: £22,079
Location: Kirklees, UK
Company: Kirklees Active Leisure
Read more and apply
|
Fitness Instructor
Salary: Competitive
Location: Warrington, UK
Company: énergie fitness
Read more and apply
|
Attendant
Salary: £19,312* - £20,092* *Pro-rata
Location: Ammanford, UK
Company: Actif Sport and Leisure
Read more and apply
|
Activity Coach
Salary: £19,312* - £20,092* *Pro-rata
Location: Carmarthen, UK
Company: Actif Sport and Leisure
Read more and apply
|
Assistant Manager
Salary: £20K Basic circa
Location: Leeds, UK
Company: Coach Gyms
Read more and apply
|
Membership Consultant
Salary: £15k basic + commission + Bonus
Location: Leeds, UK
Company: Coach Gyms
Read more and apply
|
Membership Experience Team Member
Salary: Competitive
Location: Rugby, UK
Company: Xercise4Less
Read more and apply
|
|
|
