![]() ![]() ![]() We owe it to the groups most affected to do all we can to get sport and physical activity up and running in all its forms.Īcross the whole academic year, boys (47% or 1.7m) remained more likely to be active than girls (43% or 1.5m), with a gap of 213,000. The pandemic has impacted us all in some way, but today’s report reminds us that it has not impacted everyone equally. Schools play a vital role in keeping young people active – both through physical education and by providing the facilities many clubs and groups rely on – and it’s imperative they’re in a position to facilitate physical activity the moment they can. ![]() The figures clearly demonstrate how important it will be to open facilities and encourage the return to play as soon as it’s safe to do so. Yet, while we are pleased to see the increase in more informal activities such as walking and cycling, which were possible during the periods of restriction, we can’t underestimate the long-term effect on other sporting activities both in and out of schoolĭeveloping children and young people’s physical literacy is essential in creating a positive and lifelong relationship with activity and without it many will not enjoy the health and social benefits associated with living active lives. We know the pandemic has had a huge impact on children and young people’s engagement in sport and physical activity and so it is encouraging to see so many still found ways to be active despite many popular activities being unavailable. Tim Hollingsworth, our chief executive, said great credit is due to the hard work of parents/carers and the physical activity sector but the challenges caused by the pandemic are fierce. The report also shows the restrictions, while impacting everyone, hit certain social groups harder than others with those from Black and Asian backgrounds were more impacted than those who are White. It also highlights the importance of ensuring sport and physical activity in and outside of school is back up and running as soon as it’s safe to do so. This means that, while in the short-term activity levels could largely be maintained, it’s possible there could be long-term consequences about how children feel about sport and activity. The lack of available choice also led to a significant drop in the physical literacy of our children and young people – which is made up of four elements: motivation (measured through enjoyment), confidence, competence plus knowledge and understanding. Not surprisingly, sporting activities (which include team sports and swimming) were hardest hit, down 16% with just over 1 million fewer children and young people taking part, whilst the biggest gains were found in walking, cycling and fitness. The numbers show children and young people were generally successful in adapting their habits to include new forms of exercise, however the types of activity they were able to do changed drastically. In the summer term, when some schools started to open again for more pupils in key year groups, the number of children and young people physically active fell by more than 100,000 (down 2.3% compared to the same period 12 months ago). As we were unable to collect data while schools were closed for most pupils during the first national lockdown – and as such are unable to report what was happening to children’s activity levels between March and early May – the survey represents the first period we’ve been able to reveal any impact restrictions designed to control the virus had on activity levels in children.
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