To better understand what affects and impacts activity levels for specific population groups, we've undertaken extensive research, including Active Lives and Activity Check-in surveys, and we’ve introduced the Inequalities Metric.
Additionally, we've divided our data into different settings, scenarios and groups to provide a deeper understanding of the various influences on activity behaviours.
This helps identify the specific actions and conditions needed to encourage more people to be active.
We're committed to reducing inequalities in sport and physical activity.
In 2024, we launched the Inequalities Metric and the Place Need Classification – two data-driven approaches designed to identify who's least likely to be active and where investment can have the greatest impact.
By understanding the multiple personal, social and economic characteristics influencing activity levels, as well as the geographic areas most in need, we can take effective action to close the gap and ensure everyone benefits from sport and physical activity.
We've developed the following resources to help you understand and address inequalities in sport and physical activity:
Measures how different personal, social, and economic characteristics combine to influence activity levels.
Explore the Inequalities MetricIdentifies areas where investment in sport and physical activity can have the biggest impact.
Learn about Place Need ClassificationA step-by-step guide to apply these tools – helping you understand how needs vary across different areas and where support is most needed.
Use the Place Need AssessmentsHorizon scanning is a process that helps to identify the emerging trends and issues that will impact the future of sport and physical activity.
It helps us understand long-term shifts in society, technology, economy, environment and policy, allowing us to anticipate challenges and opportunities in the future.
We use horizon scanning to inform our strategic decisions, by providing foresight into how the sector may evolve.
Understanding these trends enables us to adapt, innovate and improve how we create positive outcomes for people and communities across England.
Learn more about the trends, including a summary of each, how they might develop in the future and what this may mean for the sport and physical activity sector.
While horizon scanning looks ahead to what’s coming, State of the Nation reflects on the recent past – helping us understand the context in which people live their lives and make decisions about sport and physical activity.
This report summarises the major trends and events that shaped life in the UK between November 2023 and November 2024 – the same period covered by the 2023–2024 Adult Active Lives survey.
It brings together insights across politics, the economy, demographics, society, technology, and community life to offer a joined-up view of the wider landscape.
By understanding these shifts, we can better interpret changes in activity levels and design more responsive, inclusive solutions that support people to be active in ways that work for them.
Explore the key themes and what they might mean for the sport and physical activity sector.
Our Activity Check-in tracks a small number of metrics on behaviours and attitudes from both adults and children and young people towards sport and physical activity over time, revealing the impact of changing circumstances in a rapidly changing world.
During our first survey we asked people what impact the cost of living has on their physical activity habits.
The subsequent report explores our current, collective understanding of how the cost of living impacts people's activity levels and shares some ideas on how to help people get, or remain, active at low or no cost.
The impact of coronavirus (Covid-19) was felt across the nation, in all walks of life, and we wanted to gauge how it affected activity levels.
In order to know how best to try and keep the nation active, we commissioned a weekly survey to be conducted during the time of restrictions on movement and social distancing.
In 2024 we explored the role that alternative and parallel sport organisations and structures play in tackling inequalities in physical activity.
These groups, often founded by and for marginalised communities, fill gaps in mainstream sport by creating inclusive environments where people feel welcome and able to be their authentic selves.
Discover how we evaluate and what we’re learning from our programmes, campaigns and partners – and turn those insights into action to support more people to be active.
We've split our research into different demographics to help you understand why some people are less active.
Click on any of the groups below to discover the reasons behind their activity levels.
Click on any of the below sections to find out what we know about participation, engagement and activity levels across a variety of settings and scenarios.
Do major events increase participation? How do you recruit more volunteers to your local club? What impact does getting active outdoors have? We’ll tell you what we know.
The workforce - which includes volunteers and coaches - play a big role in ensuring those taking part have the best possible experience.
Click below to read what the research tells us about how we can best support the people who help make sport and activity happen.
Social value of sport and physical activity
As part of a three-year collaboration with Sheffield Hallam and Manchester Metropolitan Universities, as well as State of Life, we've calculated the social value of community sport and physical activity to be more than £100 billion.
The value is made up of £96.7 billion in annual wellbeing value for adults, children and young people taking part and volunteering in sport and physical activity – and a further £10.5 billion in wider savings to the health and social care system a year.
We've produced a summary report and two detailed papers to explain how the research was conducted, how the final figure was calculated and what this means for our sector.
Find out more