Quarter of Scots never do any exercise, survey shows

A quarter of people in Scotland do not exercise at all, and the cost of living crisis is contributing to inequality, new figures reveal.

According to research from the Scottish Sports Observatory, only 46% of the adult population regularly takes part in sport or exercise.

The poll of 1,029 adults surveyed in January found that economic disparities in levels of sport and physical activity have widened since the pandemic.

The research, commissioned by Survation and Scottish Sport Observatory (OSS) True North, found that lower-income groups are becoming less active and participation is becoming increasingly polarized.

Research shows that only 36% of adults with an annual income of less than £20,000 take part in regular sport or physical activity, compared to 59% of adults with an annual income of more than £40,000. That’s what it means.

Although the health benefits of sport and exercise are widely recognized (79% of respondents), this research found that fewer of the Scottish adult population regularly participate in sport and exercise-related physical activity. It turns out that only 46%.

A further 29% only participate occasionally, while a quarter (25%) of adults never play sports or exercise.

Charlie Raeburn, founding director of the Scottish Sport Observatory, said: “While we are delighted that activity levels have returned to pre-pandemic levels, we are deeply saddened by the relatively low levels of participation in sport and physical activity in Scotland. I’m concerned about this,” he said. as a whole.

“Our biggest concern is the widening gap between active and inactive people along the economic spectrum.

“The figures show a net 8% decline in sport and activity levels for lower income groups and a net 7% increase in sport and activity levels for higher income groups compared to pre-pandemic levels. .

“Given the health inequalities in Scotland and the significant health benefits of staying active, this widening gap should be alarming.

“We need new ways of thinking about how to encourage participation across age and income groups.

“Ninety percent of people over the age of 65 believe that sport and physical activity are important for their health, but only 35% actually participate regularly.

“Of those who do not participate, almost half (46%) say it is because of a pre-existing health problem.

“Among young adults, 67% of those aged 25-34 say they are likely to participate less because of cost of living pressures, again one of the main barriers to participation for currently inactive women. It is listed as one.

“These should not be insurmountable barriers, but new approaches are needed.

“At OSS, we know that participating in physical activity related to sport and exercise improves health and wellbeing at all stages of the life cycle.

“Governments at all levels and across all parties need to take concrete action to address barriers to participation as part of a constructive dialogue on Scotland’s persistent health inequalities.

“Now is not the time to cut back on the provision of sports facilities that help people stay active.

“We need to support community-based opportunities and look at provision from a public health perspective.

“Investments that help people get and stay active through sport and exercise will benefit individuals, communities and the economy in the long term.”