Activity levels for adults in England increased last year and have bounced
back to where they were before the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
The figures, published by Sport England, show that the overall number of people playing sport and getting
active has recovered, after participation fell as a result of the restrictions
designed to slow the spread of the virus.
The latest Active Lives Adult Survey report is the first release to cover a
period without any coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions since the
pandemic.
It shows , between November 2021 and November 2022, 63.1% (29.1 million) of
the population met the Chief Medical Officers’ guidelines of doing 150 minutes,
or more, of moderate intensity physical activity a week – an increase of 1.7%
year on year.
This means that, compared with when Sport England first ran the survey
between November 2015 and November 2016, there are 1.5m more active adults – a
statistically significant number.
The number of people classed as inactive – averaging fewer than 30 minutes a
week – has fallen over the last year by 1.4%, to 25.8% of the population
(11.9m). This remains slightly above pre-pandemic levels but is in line with
where they were in 2015-16.
The ongoing recovery wasn’t guaranteed and is testament to the dedication of
those working and volunteering in sport and physical activity, as well as the
significant investment of exchequer and National Lottery money, that has helped
the sector not just to survive the worst of the pandemic but to bounce back.
The report also gives us a detailed understanding of the types of activities
people are undertaking and how these have changed over time.
Team sports, which were severely hit by the impact of Covid-19, have overall
recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Football (up 561k year on year), cricket (up
124k), netball (up 139k) and basketball (up 57k) have seen an increase in
participation numbers since restrictions were lifted.
This is important as people who play team sports are more likely to report
they find sport and exercise enjoyable and satisfying than who take part in
other forms of activity.
The release shows that the number of people walking for leisure – which
boomed during lockdowns – has understandably fallen back but remains well above
its pre-Covid-19 figure.
Conversely, fitness activities and active travel saw big drops during the
pandemic but have seen significant rises over the last 12 months, although both
remain below their pre-coronavirus levels.
However, while the overall picture is positive and there is clear progress,
the data shows that the scale of recovery has varied across different sections
of society with women, those from lower socio-economic groups and Black and
Asian people still less likely to be active than others.
The report compliments the ActiveLives Children and Young People Survey Sport England published in December.
That report, which focussed on children’s activity levels across the 2021-22
academic year, showed a similar return to pre-pandemic activity levels, albeit
with some concerns about demographic groups.
