Sport Ireland, Sport Northern Ireland and Healthy Ireland Release Latest Research on Physical Activity among Children led by University of LImerick
- Children’s sports participation rates have increased since 2018
- Fewer post-primary students walking to school than 2018
- Sport dropout rates among post-primary girls have worsened in school-based sport
- Covid measures seen by students as impacting positively on their physical activity, fitness and health
Sport Ireland, the authority responsible for the development of sport in Ireland, has in collaboration with Sport Northern Ireland and Healthy Ireland, released its latest research on physical activity among children. The research, conducted in 2022 through the Children's Sport Participation and Physical Activity Study consortium, comprising the University of Limerick (lead), University College Cork, Dublin City University and Ulster University, provides valuable insights into sport participation and physical activity levels in Ireland.
Sport Ireland, Healthy Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland, among others, utilize the findings from this research study to develop policies and programs aimed at achieving the targets set out in the government's National Sports Policy and National Physical Activity Policy.
According to the latest report, 15% of children reported meeting the recommended physical activity guidelines of one hour of moderate-to-vigorous activity per day, marking a 2% increase since 2018. Primary students reported an average of 85 minutes of physical education per week, almost double the reported minutes in 2010.
Children’s sports participation rates have increased since 2018, with 96% of primary and 84% of post-primary students participating in some form of sport at least once a week. However, there remains a significant drop in girls' participation in school sports at the post-primary level, worsening since 2018.
Furthermore, there has been a 5% decline in the number of children actively travelling to school, with 37% walking, cycling or using a scooter in comparison to 42% in 2018.
Perhaps surprisingly, the perceived impact of COVID-19 restrictions on post-primary students was more positive than negative on overall physical activity (51% positive vs 26% negative), fitness levels (50% positive vs 22% negative) and overall health (53% positive vs 18% negative).
Minister for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne TD, expressed his support for the publication of the research, saying, ‘I welcome the publication of the latest research from Sport Ireland. These comprehensive reports offer valuable information on the current levels of participation in sports and physical activity among all age groups in Ireland. I am heartened to see that activity levels are starting to return to pre-pandemic levels. These reports help us to track our progress towards the goals set out in the National Sports Policy and make interventions in key areas to help us achieve the targets set out by the government. One area of concern is the dropout rate of teenage girls; this is an area that must be addressed if we are to achieve our target of eliminating the gender gradient in sport by 2027.’
Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, Dr Úna May, ‘Sport Ireland’s commitment to research underpins our decisions at every step. These vital reports have tracked the nation’s physical activity and participation in sport for many years. The 2022 ISM and CSPPA reports are important as they give us valuable insights into Ireland’s activity levels as we emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to work with our National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnerships, and other partners to address key areas and remove barriers to engagement in sport for the whole population of Ireland.’
Professor Woods, Chair of Physical Activity for Health at the University of Limerick and lead on the CSPPA study commented that “following the CSPPA 2018 results I urged for action to ensure this was ‘as low as we go’, calling for realistic targets and achievable actions as only then would real progress be made. I am genuinely thrilled to see the CSPPA 2022 showing an improvement in participation levels, and while we have a long way to go, I hope this trend will continue into the future”.
Director of Research and Innovation at Sport Ireland, Benny Cullen added ‘I would like to thank our research partners in the University of Limerick, Dublin City University, University of Ulster and University College Cork and our research colleagues in IPSOS. The publication of these two substantial reports presents us with an ideal chance to initiate a wider dialogue on how we can promote sport and physical activity throughout all stages of life and in all parts of society.’
The report is available to download here. CSPPA 2022 – CSPPA.ie
The Children's Sports Participation and Physical Activity Study (CSPPA) is commissioned by Sport Ireland, Sport Northern Ireland, and Healthy Ireland. The third iteration of the CSPPA study, which surveyed over 8,500 young people aged 10-19 years old, offers significant insights into the state of children's sports and physical activity on the Island of Ireland.
For further information, please contact:
Professor Catherine Woods
Director, Physical Activity for Health Research Centre (PAfH)
Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences
University of Limerick
About Sport Ireland:
Sport Ireland is the authority tasked with the development of sport in Ireland, including participation in sport, high-performance sport, anti-doping, coaching, and the development of the Sport Ireland Campus.
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