Active Lives Survey: Sport, recreational and fitness activities for adults (aged 16+) in England
Our latest 2020/2021 Active Lives Adult Survey for Sport England shows that the coronavirus pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on activity levels throughout England, but has been most acute across disadvantaged groups and areas of high deprivation.
The Active Lives survey collects data on participation levels in sport, fitness activities as well as recreational activities and sport-related volunteering. It provides a national picture on sport and physical activity in England, which is broken down by demographics such as age and gender, as well as social outcomes and sport-related volunteering such as coaching.
The survey uses a ‘push-to-web’ methodology involving four postal mail-outs designed to encourage participants to complete the survey online, while also allowing those who cannot to participate via a postal questionnaire. The survey is ‘device-agnostic’ and can be completed on mobile or desktop devices.
Data has been collected on topics including levels of activity, type of activity and volunteering and provided at Local Authority level.
- A report on the latest findings has now been published on the Sport England website.
Throughout the duration of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic this has also included COVID-specific analysis, to help understand the impact of the pandemic.
Data produced from the Active Lives survey can be used for official statistics on sport and fitness activities in the UK, as well as Local Authorities, policy makers, service providers and third-sector organisations to target resources more effectively and improve relevant public services.
A £5 shopping voucher was offered to participants as the gesture of appreciation, which was conditional on completing the survey.
