Coronavirus and physical activity

Title
Coronavirus and physical activity

Research Area
Health; Tackling Inactivity

Author
Savanta ComRes / Sport England

Summary of Findings
Sport England commissioned Savanta ComRes to carry out regular insight pieces into activity habits during the coronavirus pandemic. 2,000 adults were interviewed for each wave of the survey. They were asked about their physical activity within the last week along with questions around their feelings/attitudes towards physical activity both at the time of the survey and prior to the pandemic. The report found that 62% of adults felt it was more important to stay active during the pandemic than before and 65% believed that exercising was currently beneficial to their mental health. 53% reported that the inclusion of exercise once a day in the government's guidelines had encouraged them to exercise. In terms of actual activity undertaken, there were notable differences when results were analysed by age, income and area. Younger people (aged 16-34) were more likely to have done more activity than those in the older age range (55+). Similarly those in higher economic groups and those in rural areas were more likely to report having done more activity. Walking was the main choice with 59% of adults stated they had been walking in the last week. 44% of respondents reported doing home based activity including 23% doing online workouts either on their own or with children.

Implications
This report looks at the changing attitudes and behaviours around activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. It recognises the impact of the government's message around exercising and the publics focus on exercise as part of their lockdown routine.