COVID-19 and its impact on physical activity
The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns had huge countrywide impacts felt by everyone. This page brings the latest data and reports on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re looking for health and exercise tips when recovering from COVID-19, be sure to visit our ‘Recovering from COVID-19’ page here.
Whilst some used it as an opportunity to get more physically active in the time they were able to work from home, other demographics including children and those with disabilities often felt the more harsh impacts of the restrictions. This actually resulted in many doing less physical activity. You can view a summary of this in the latest Active Lives Survey on our Sport England Insight page.
Children and Young People: The impacts of COVID-19 on physical activity
The following reports explore the impacts of COVID-19 specifically on children and young people over the past year. They take into account their experiences in lockdown, alongside their disrupted school and worklife balances. These reports were provided by Women in Sport and Sport England.
Schools Active Moment (2021) (pdf, 103.93 KB)
In April 2021, the Schools Active Movement (SAM) launched a national survey asking teachers about their pupils.
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Life in Lockdown (2021) (pdf, 1.25 MB)
The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Teenage Girls’ Lives and Physical Activity.
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Children’s experience of physical activity in lockdown (2020) (pdf, 384.66 KB)
Report on children and young people aged 7-16 who were surveyed by CHILDWISE during COVID restrictions.
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Women and Girls: COVID-19 impacts
The Coronavirus lockdowns and self-isolation situation have disrupted people’s livse. Evidence has shown that women are especially impacted.
It has resulted in a re-setting of priorities and what is valued, as well as the increased realisation of the importance of social contact. Many of these changes will forge new meaning for the future.
Lockdown research: Implications for women’s participation (pdf, 752.83 KB)
Women in Sport looked to understand the impact of the pandemic restrictions on women.
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People with disabilities and long-term health conditions
These reports outline the social impacts of the pandemic and restriction measures on disabled people and those considered ‘vulnerable’ and living with long-term health conditions. It also considers impact on their physical activity levels throughout the lockdown restrictions.
For more insight on physical activity and disability, you can also visit the Long Term Health Condition insight page.
The impact of COVID-19 on disabled people (pdf, 1.24 MB)
Document highlighting the challenges faced by disabled people throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The impact of COVID-19 on those with health conditions (pdf, 1.37 MB)
The latest insights on the impact of COVID-19 on the behaviours of those with long-term health conditions.
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Long Term Condition Survey: Covid Update (pdf, 2.38 MB)
In July 2020 we re-surveyed respondents from the initial LTC survey to see how COVID-19 impacted them.
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Community groups and facilities
The following reports show the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on communities and facilities, as well as the route to reopening. This can support local community groups and facilities to plan their future deliveries, whilst ensuring they’re in line with restrictions.
Local Voices: Life During Lockdown (pdf, 895.22 KB)
The big issues currently affecting individuals, organisations and communities (May 2020)
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Community Pulse UK Summary (pdf, 727.54 KB)
Sported – helping community groups to survive and thrive.
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Contact us:
If you’re unable to find what you’re looking for, get in touch using the details below. We can also help you put the above insight to use if you need advice.
Rachel Cooke
Insight & Evaluation Officer
- Data collection and analysis
- Process and programme evaluation
- Research and insight