Exercise
Young People into 2006
Exercise and Sport
50% of the 10-11 year old females enjoy physical activity ‘a lot’. However, far fewer females than males in each year group report liking sport ‘a lot'. Nearly half as many 14-15 year old females as males say they enjoy physical activity ‘a lot'. Nevertheless, over 82% of 10-11 year olds and over 64% of the secondary pupils enjoy physical activity ‘quite a lot' or ‘a lot'.
Nearly all of the 36 activities listed show a decline in involvement with increasing age except for 5-a-side football (males), fitness exercises, golf (males), basketball (males and some females), soccer (males), weight training (males) and 'going for walks' (females). 'Going for walks' is a popular activity for females (up to 38% of older females). Comparing the 14-15 year old 'no active sport' data since 1992 shows a range of 13%-23%.
Fitness
Up to 64% of 10-11 year old pupils think they are ‘fit’ or ‘very fit’. 27% of the 14-15 year old females describe themselves as ‘unfit' or ‘very unfit'. Perceived fitness declines with age in males and females. From 1991-2005 there is an upward trend (from 10%-22%) of 14-15 year old females that report being unfit.
Over 85% of all groups (10-15 year olds) had exercised to the level of ‘breathing hard' at least once in the previous week. The gap is seen to widen between males and females among the frequent exercisers as they get older. Up to 14% report never taking exercise in the past week that caused them to breathe harder and faster.
Exercise and Sport
"The poor levels of physical activity among many young people is of concern – particularly the older girls, but most young people tell us that they enjoy being physically active and that there are pursuits that they want to do. We must put even more effort into making sport and other physical activities attractive and accessible to them." – Angela Balding, Survey Manager.Enjoyment of sport
50% of the 10-11 year old females enjoy physical activity ‘a lot’. However, far fewer females than males in each year group report liking sport ‘a lot'. Nearly half as many 14-15 year old females as males say they enjoy physical activity ‘a lot'. Nevertheless, over 82% of 10-11 year olds and over 64% of the secondary pupils enjoy physical activity ‘quite a lot' or ‘a lot'.
"We are always encouraged by these figures." – Dr David Regis, Research ManagerActive sports
Nearly all of the 36 activities listed show a decline in involvement with increasing age except for 5-a-side football (males), fitness exercises, golf (males), basketball (males and some females), soccer (males), weight training (males) and 'going for walks' (females). 'Going for walks' is a popular activity for females (up to 38% of older females). Comparing the 14-15 year old 'no active sport' data since 1992 shows a range of 13%-23%.
Fitness
Up to 64% of 10-11 year old pupils think they are ‘fit’ or ‘very fit’. 27% of the 14-15 year old females describe themselves as ‘unfit' or ‘very unfit'. Perceived fitness declines with age in males and females. From 1991-2005 there is an upward trend (from 10%-22%) of 14-15 year old females that report being unfit.
"It's hard to judge your own fitness exactly, but what they tell us matches their accounts of their activities. We do know pupils now see themselves as less fit than did pupils a few years ago, but that may be because the standards they judge themselves against have risen." – DRAerobic exercise
Over 85% of all groups (10-15 year olds) had exercised to the level of ‘breathing hard' at least once in the previous week. The gap is seen to widen between males and females among the frequent exercisers as they get older. Up to 14% report never taking exercise in the past week that caused them to breathe harder and faster.
"Most young people are fairly fit by virtue of being young. But if they don't find something they like doing and get into good exercise habits early, it's going to be hard later on to build exercise into their lives." – DRTrends: Young People and Physical Activity