Active People Survey 1

Sport England's first Active People survey ran from October 2005 to October 2006. It found that 21% of adults take part in at least three, moderate intensity 30 minute sessions of sport and physical activity every week (3 x 30).

Other highlights from the report include:

  • The south east was the most active, with 22.6% of adults doing 3x30 
  • The West Midlands was the least active, with 19.3% of adults doing 3x30
  • Walking was the most popular recreational activity for people in England. Over 8 million adults aged 16 and over (20%) did a recreational walk for at least 30 minutes in the last 4 weeks.
  • 5.6 million people (13.8%) swim at least once a month
  • 4.2 million people (10.5%) go to the gym.
  • More men (23.7%) take part regularly in sport than women (18.5%)

It's not just the taking part...

Over 2.7 million people put some voluntary time into sport – with an estimated 1.8 million hours unpaid support every week of the year. This equates to over 54,000 full time equivalent jobs.

4.7% of the adult population (1.9 million) contribute at least one hour a week volunteering to sport.

Join the club

25.1% of the adult population (10.2 million) are members of a club where they take part in sport - an increase from 17% in 2002.

We have produced a series of factsheets collating the information

The Technical Report provides more information about how the resarch was carried out on our behalf by Ipsos MORI

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Active People Survey 1

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