Record numbers getting physically active according to latest Active Lives Survey
The latest Active Lives Survey, published today by Sport England, reveals a record high in physical activity levels across England.
Between November 2023–2024, the report shows that 63.7% of adults met the Chief Medical Officers’ recommendation of 150+ minutes of activity per week. That’s the equivalent of around 30 million people staying active each week; an increase of 2.4 million since the survey was first released in 2016.
What is the Active Lives Survey?
The Active Lives Survey is a Sport England-led survey, which provides information about the physical activity levels of people in England. There are separate surveys for adults (a bi-annual report) and for children (an annual report).
The survey has been running since 2015 and replaces the Active People Survey.
The latest adult Active Lives Survey reports on their overall physical activity levels. It does this whilst delving deeper into the results in order to report on factors such as demographics, types of activity and the impact on those with disabilities or long-term health conditions.
What were the main takeaways of the Active Lives Survey 2023-2024?
Between November 2023 and 2024, 63.7% of adults reported doing 150 minutes+ of moderate intensity physical activity a week.
The number of inactive adults, those doing less than 30 minutes of activity a week, is down, with this number falling by 121,000 in the last 12 months.
This included significant growth in activity levels for older adults and disabled people.
However, there are still various barriers in place which need to be addressed as NSPG have highlighted in their latest article. Those in less affluent areas are 13.4% less likely to reach the 150+ minutes of recommended activity than those in more affluent areas.
Similarly, 48.5% of people with a long-term condition or disability reported doing an average of 150+ minutes of activity a week, as opposed to 68.9% without. There is also a gender gap, with 61.4% of female respondents reaching 150+ minutes, in comparison to 66.3% of male respondents.
“The huge negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on sport and physical activity has been almost completely reversed, with activity levels significantly higher – and inactivity levels significantly lower – than when the survey began and when we launched our strategy, Uniting the Movement, back in 2020.
However, there are still some areas where the picture is more mixed. For too many people, the barriers to getting active are still too high. If you are less affluent, or live in a less affluent place, you are much less likely to be active.
Inequalities are, however, narrowing. This is why our work is disproportionately focused on these groups, to provide more support and more investment targeted towards those that haven’t been well served in the past.”
Nick Pontefract, Sport England Chief Strategy Officer
How will this impact Active Norfolk’s work?
Active Norfolk welcomes this positive national trend, viewing it as a testament to the collective efforts in promoting physical activity across the country. Our role in supporting local partners to promote the benefits of and integrate movement and physical activity into daily life across Norfolk continues to be crucial to improving the lives and wellbeing of those who live here.
However, the survey also highlights persistent disparities. Individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds, certain ethnic minorities, and those residing in more deprived areas continue to have lower activity levels.
In Norfolk, addressing these inequalities remains a priority. We are committed to collaborating with partners to create inclusive opportunities that encourage physical activity among all demographics. By focusing on community engagement and tailored interventions, we aim to ensure that everyone in Norfolk has the chance to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.
The findings from the Active Lives Survey reinforce the importance of our ongoing efforts and the need for targeted strategies to bridge the activity gap across different communities.
Read the full Active Lives Survey 2023-2024
You can read the full Active Lives Adult Survey by clicking the link below. Here you’ll find the latest report, along with a summary of what the report contains, and links to national partners reactions to the annual survey release.