Socio-cultural influences

2.1.a. Engagement patterns of different social groups in physical

activities and sports

BY THE END OF THIS TOPIC YOU SHOULD …

LEARNING Be familiar with current trends in participation in

OUTCOMES physical activity and sport:

 Using different sources (such as Sport England,
NGB’s and Department of Culture Media and
Sport)
 Of different social groups
 In different physical activities and sports.
Current trends in participation
Priority/target groups
Priority/target groups are groups of people who have been identified as either not, or in danger
of not, participating in sport or physical activity as much as they should.

‘Creating sporting habits for life’

Sport England Priority/Target Group (14-16 year olds)

30 minutes sustained exercise per week.

Sport England Priority/Target Group (16-25 year olds)

Since 2005/06 the number of 16-25 year olds participating in sport has increased (3.64 million to
3.83 million).
55.5% of 16-25year olds participate in sport once a week for 30 minutes or more.

Sport England Priority/Target Group (26 year olds plus)

32.4% of adults 26 years or older participate in sport once a week for 30 minutes or more.
40.1% of men and 30.5% of women participate in moderate intensity level sport at least once a
week.
Source: Sport England – Active People Survey 10 2015/16
Current trends in participation

Priority/target groups
Other important data

In 2013 42% of 5-16 year olds main method of getting to school was walking.
34% were driven to school.
2% cycled.
Source: Public Health England - child physical activity data factsheet 2014

In 2013 81.6% of 5-15 year olds reported that they had done some form of
competitive sport in the last 12 months.
78% had taken part in a competitive sport in school, 38% outside of school.
Source: Department for Education – Evidence on physical education in schools 2013
Current trends in participation

Strategies to improve participation in sport

Task: What does this graph tell you about sporting trends in the UK?

What are the three

most popular sports
in the UK?

Has this changed at

any point?

Which sports have

grown in popularity?

Which Sports have

seen the largest drop
in participation?

Why might this be?

Source: Sport England – Active People Survey 2013

Current trends in participation

Popular sports/activities

Most popular adult activities in the UK in 2017

Walking 19.2 million
Keep fit/yoga (including aerobics and dance exercises) 13.4 million
Swimming 4.5 million
Cycling 6.2 million
Racket sports (tennis, badminton, and squash) 2.2 million

Source: Sport England – Active Lives Adult Survey 2017/18

Current trends in participation

Socio-economic groups

The rate of participation among people aged 16 and over is greater in those from
higher socio-economic groups (more money) than those from lower socio-economic
groups( less money).

Proportion of adults who take part in at least one sport or physical activity
Higher socio-economic groups Manual and unemployed socio-economic
71% 54%

Source: Sport England – Active Lives Adult Survey 2017/18

Current trends in participation

Participation by gender

Participate in sport activities Participate in organised competition

Men Women Men Women
65% 60% 40% 14%

Source: Sport England – Active Lives Adult Survey 2017/18

Current trends in participation

Participation by age

• The proportion of adults taking part in at least one sport or physical activity
decreases with age (except for walking)

Proportion of adults who take part in at least one sport or physical activity
(including walking)
16-24 year olds 65-74 years
84% 83%

Proportion of adults who take part in at least one sport or physical activity
(excluding walking)
16-19 year olds 70+ years
55% 19%
Source: Sport England – Active Lives Adult Survey 2015/16
Current trends in participation

Gender

Data, analysis and evaluation

The table below shows the difference between female and male football clubs
and registered players.
2012
Gender Plays football as a member of a Takes part in organised
sports club competition
Female 13.4% 14.7%
Male 19.5% 27.9%

Source: Women's football fact sheet October 2012

Current trends in participation
Disability
Proportion of adults with a long term limiting illness or disability that played sport once
a week
2015/16 2017/18
60.9% 61.8% *

* compared to 81.6% without a disability.

Source: Sport England – Active Lives Adult Survey 2015/16 and 2017/18
Current trends in participation
Ethnicity

Proportion of adults who play sports once a week

2017/2018
Black and other minority ethnic groups 57%
White British groups 63%

Among women, those from white backgrounds are more likely to take part in sport
compared to those from Chinese, black and other ethnic backgrounds.
Source: Sport England – Active Lives Adult Survey 2017/18
Current trends in participation
In sport in general

Activity levels are highest for people from mixed ethnicity - 71%
White British background is at 63%.
The lowest are for people from South Asian – 55%.

In basketball and cricket, more than a third are from a non-white background.

Badminton and football also have a higher than average proportion of players from a
non-white background.

Non-white players make up a comparatively small share of cyclists and golfers.

Source: Sport England – Active Lives Adult Survey 2017/18

2.1.a. Engagement patterns of different social groups in physical
activities and sports

BY THE END OF THIS TOPIC YOU SHOULD…

• Understand how different factors can affect participation, including:
• Age
• Gender
• Ethnicity
• Religion
• Culture
LEARNING •
•
Family
Education

OUTCOMES
• Time
• Work Commitments
• Cost
• Disposable income
• Disability
• Opportunity
• Access
• Discrimination
• Environment / climate, media coverage, role models
• Understand Strategies which can be used to improve participation:
• Promotion
• Provision
• access
• Be able to apply examples from physical activity / sport to
participation issues.
Factors affecting participation in physical activity
and sport
Age

Percentage of participants taking part at least twice a month by age

16-34 years old 35-54 years old

81.5% 78.4%

Source: Sport England – Active Lives Adult Survey 2017/18

TASK: In pairs discuss what conclusions can we draw from this?

Factors affecting participation in physical activity
and sport
Age
Average life expectancy has risen, so more and more people could participate.
There is an increase in the number of teams for older people (veterans teams).
Sport is often perceived as a ‘young person’s activity’.
Some older people lack confidence to participate.
Some older people’s participation may be affected by medical conditions or illness.
Some activities have age restrictions
• minimum age for London Marathon is 18 years
• minimum age is for Olympic snowboarding is 15 years
• Some fitness gyms have a minimum age restriction.

Some NGBs have regulations that restrict the age gap between players (2 years etc.)
• In rugby players Under 12 years of age cannot ‘play up’.

Many NGBs have developed adaptations of their sport that are suitable for older people
• Walking netball, walking basketball and walking football are examples.
Factors affecting participation in physical activity
and sport
Gender
Let’s look at some statistics for females and male football players

Gender Member of a registered team/club Gender Plays at least once a week

Female 13.4% Female 0.6%
Male 19.5% Male 9.8%

Gender Receives coaching/tuition in football

Female 13.8%
Male 11.8%

Source: Women's football fact sheet October 2012

TASK: What patterns do you notice in the data tables above?

Factors affecting participation in physical activity
and sport
Gender

Barriers to women playing sport are…

TASK: Make a list of barriers to women participating in sport
How many of these did you get?
Lack of time and childcare
Lack of self confidence
Personal safety
Parental and adult influence
Male dominated culture of sport
Funding
Body image
Lack of media exposure
Lack of role models
Sexism
Factors affecting participation in physical activity
and sport
Gender
Women’s opportunities at elite level are growing all the time. With an increase in the
women's sport profile, sponsorship and financial gain is becoming more readily
available.

Many female sports have seen a rise in media coverage and ultimately popularity.

Opportunities for female officials and management roles within teams have grown too
and there are a great deal more female presenters on TV.

TASK: Which women’s sports have seen an increase in coverage?

Factors affecting participation in physical activity
and sport
Gender
Applying examples from physical activity / sport to participation issues

The tables below show a summary of girls and boys who play sport in or outside
school

5 to 10 year olds 11 to 15 year olds

Gender 2012 2013 2014 2015 Gender 2012 2013 2014 2015
Girls 76.4% 80.1% 77.2% 78.6% Girls 92.5% 94.9% 93.1% 95.5%
Boys 85.1% 87.8% 84.8% 88.3% Boys 97.2% 98.5% 96.7% 96.0%
Source: Taking part 2015/16 Annual Child Report

TASK: What patterns do you notice in the data table above?

Factors affecting participation in physical activity
and sport
Ethnicity, culture and religion
The number of both black and minority ethnic and white British adults playing sport
is increasing. Taking up a sport or activity may be influenced by ethnic background
e.g. cricket is very popular within Asian countries.

TASK: Which country, culture and/or religion would

you associate with the following sports?
Hockey
Cricket
Kabaddi
Basketball
Volleyball
Aussie rules football
Hurling
Curling

TASK: Explain why you think there are less black tennis players/golfers than footballers?
Factors affecting participation in physical activity
and sport
Ethnicity, culture and religion
Applying examples from physical activity / sport to participation issues

The tables below show a summary of ethnicity participation over 3 years

Black and ethnic minority groups White British groups

2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18
71.6% 70.4% 71.4% 78.4% 78.5% 78.9%

Source: Sport England – Active Lives Adult Survey 2017/18

TASK: What patterns do you notice in the data table above?

Factors affecting participation in physical activity
and sport
Family

You are more likely to participate in sport if your parents do.

You are less likely to participate if there is little interest shown by your family.

Family support is crucial: Andy Farrell

• Transport Owen Farrell
• Equipment/kit costs
• Membership/match fees
• Teaching sporting etiquette/sportsmanship
Harry Redknapp
Negative influences might include: Jamie Redknapp
• Poor sportsmanship/deviance Frank Lampard snr
• Unrealistic expectations Frank Lampard jnr
Tracey Neville
• Placing undue pressures on children All one family!
Gary Neville
• Keeping children away from peers to gain higher levels of competitions. Phil Neville

TASKS
Are there any ‘sporting families’ at your school?
Explain how your family may have affected your involvement in your chosen sport…
Factors affecting participation in physical activity
and sport
Friends/Peers

Friends and peers can greatly influence you.

They can influence whether you participate or reject physical activity,
instead persuading you to go to the cinema, smoke, drink, alcohol, take
drugs, etc.
They can influence what sport or physical activity you take up, asking
you to attend a pilates class with them.
They can influence whether you continue participating in later life, giving
you a lift to a swimming pool or booking a health spa weekend for you
both.
Falling out with a friend or the peer group can make you change your
interests in sport or stop altogether.

Peer pressure makes you want to do what others do or don’t do.

It is very powerful in relation to children’s attitudes.

When you participate in sport or physical activity who do you participate with?
Factors affecting participation in physical activity
and sport
Disability

Sport is encouraged to all regardless of disability.

Performers with disabilities often compete against
similar groups or can be mixed with able-bodied
performers.

More disabled people are taking part in sport – 17%

in 2015 are playing sport regularly, up from around
15% in 2005/06.

Participation rates have increased since 2012

London Paralympic Games, but overall those with a
disability show a comparatively low percentage in
participation.

This may be due to the lack of adapted equipment,

access, clubs, discrimination and/or a lack of
confidence.
Factors affecting participation in physical activity
and sport

Disability
Participants with Able bodied
disabilities participants
2005/2006 15.1% 37.8%
Exam question (3 marks) 2006/2007 16.7% 39.3%
2007/2008 16.2% 39.2%
Assess the trends in
participation in sport 2008/2009 16.3% 38.9%
from 2005/2006 until 2009/2010 17.7% 37.7%
2011/2012. 2010/2011 18.3% 39.4%
2011/2012 18.5% 39.2%
Factors affecting participation in physical activity
and sport
Reasons for participation in sport and physical activity

TASK: Identify 3 reasons for taking part in sport

There are 5 reasons for participation in

physical activity and sport:
Can you create an acronym to remember these?
1. Media coverage Example:
2. Environment and climate
3. Time M - My
4. Resources E - Elephant
5. Role models T - Trains
R - Racing
R - Rabbits
Reasons people get involved in sport
Media coverage

TASK: Discuss the importance/influence of media on sport today and

come up with an example of how media coverage affects
participation rates in a certain sport
Other possible reasons people do not get involved in sport (barriers to participation)
• Media coverage – some sports get a great deal more media coverage than others
which makes them more popular e.g. football vs hockey
• Male sport still dominates although there is much more interest in women’s sport in
recent years due to increased success e.g. GB women’s football reaching the quarter
final of the 2012 Olympic Games
• The media can stimulate participation in sports e.g. huge increase in tennis
participation during Wimbledon as people watch it on TV and want to participate
themselves
• Our interest is especially increased when the media highlights the success of UK sports
people e.g. lots of interest in cycling after the success in the 2012 Olympic Games
when 6 world track records were achieved.
Reasons people get involved in sport

Media coverage

In the News

In the year that Andy Murray won Wimbledon (2013) there was a FALL in the
number of people who played tennis at least once a week.

Sport England’s Active People Survey found that 406,000 people played in the
year 2013 – a fall of 39,000 on the previous 12 month period.
(PE second edition by J. Honeybourne)

Tennis example – why did this happen?

Reasons people get involved in sport
Media coverage

Extension task: to be prepared for the exam it’s helpful if you learn a summary
of how the media can affect participation in sport.

Create a list of both the positive and negative affects of the media on participation
in sport.
Positive affects of media on sport Negative affects of media on sport
Reasons people get involved in sport

POSITIVE aspects of the Media

 promotes or encourages sport and exercise, and increases interest through sports coverage
 promotes healthy living
 can motivate through role models
 promotional campaigns or public service broadcasting or through advertising
 provide a wide variety of sports, including minority and novel sports
 will create funds and sponsorship that can be used to encourage activity
 gives information about healthy lifestyles and fitness, e.g. via the internet or new training methods.
Reasons people get involved in sport

NEGATIVE aspects of the Media

 may encourage or reinforce unhealthy or inactive lifestyle

 may show negative role models
 too much passive watching and listening to media
 discourages activity, causing the 'couch potato' syndrome
 minority sports (those in which few people participate) are often under-represented
 women's sports are under-represented or misrepresented
 disability sport is under-represented or misrepresented
 older performers are often under-represented
 can make people feel inadequate by not having the ability or skill or the 'sporty' body image
 might show the dangers of participation or (high) risk of injury that might put people off
participation.
Reasons people get involved in sport
Environment and climate

Environment and climate – this can dictate which sports/activities people take part in e.g. if you live in
an area that receives regular snow and has hills, then you are more likely to ski than someone who
doesn’t.
Reasons people get involved in sport
Cost / disposable income
Cost
Some activities/equipment/kit are too costly for everyone to be able to participate.

Examples

You need access to horses for: Kit can be expensive for:

• polo • ice hockey
• show jumping • golf
• point to point. • Archery.

Memberships can be expensive for

• private golf clubs.
Reasons people get involved in sport
Discrimination
Discrimination may prevent certain people from participating in a sports activity, due to:

Race/colour:
• in some countries certain ethnic minorities are prevented from joining clubs.

Gender:
• golf clubs not allowing women to participate at certain times or not at all
• leisure centres having female only fitness classes.

Disability:
• people with disabilities not being allowed to join certain clubs.

Age:
• clubs making an upper age limit for membership to prevent
older people joining.
Reasons people get involved in sport

TIME

Work commitments can get in the way of finding enough time for sport.

Travel time to and from work may reduce time available for participating.

Family commitments may reduce the time available for parents to participate.
Reasons people get involved in sport

Opportunity / Access

You may not have appropriate sports clubs or facilities near you which may prevent you from
participating.

Some local authorities provide transport to help increase participation e.g. buses to leisure centres
for elderly people.
Reasons people get involved in sport
Role models

Like parents, other significant others can influence whether you participate in sport.

These may include:

• High level performers you have seen or read about in the media
• Players in an older team at your club
• PE teachers
• Sports coaches who visit your school to coach specific sports activities.

The behaviour/actions of some role models might be

negative, which can cause problems if their followers
copy their negative behaviours when they participate.

TASK: Make a list of sporting role models.

Indicate if they are positive or negative.
Explain the reasons for your choices.
Strategies to get people involved in sport

Promotion, provision and access

The three important factors that can deliver successful strategies for improving
participation are:

1. Promotion or convincing people they should take up sport

2. Provision of facilities, equipment, coaching etc.

3. Access or giving people opportunity to participate by making it easier for them to

engage in sport.
Strategies to get people involved in sport

Information, opportunities, facilities and availability

More information/education on the benefits of regular sports participation

e.g. TV advertising to show benefits of regular exercise or e.g. This Girl Can/advertising
local clubs on the radio or Change 4 Life.

Regular opportunities for coaching/instructing to enable more frequent participation

e.g. fitness instructors available across the working day and evening.

More facilities available for regular participation e.g. ensuring that each community is
served by a leisure centre.

Facilities available for longer during the day to enable regular participation e.g. local
swimming baths open early morning and close late evening.
Strategies to get people involved in sport
Facilities, adaption and childcare

More accessible facilities or more localised facilities or better transport

arrangements to access facilities e.g. facilities have wheelchair ramps or a (free) local bus
service is provided.

Cheaper facilities for sport or concessions for more adults to be involved e.g. the local
leisure centres give concessions for the elderly or give cut price admission for regular
users.

Introduction of adapted games e.g. walking football, walking basketball, touch rugby for
adults.

Activities/sessions for adults only or age-group sessions e.g. adult/40 plus/50 plus
fitness classes.

Provision for childcare e.g. gyms that provide childcare/nursery/playgroup/youth

group so that parents can exercise.
Participation rates
Extension task

Explain how role models

Name and describe 2 social and media coverage might
groups that might engage in affect girls and boys taking
physical activity. part in physical activity?

Engagement
patterns of different
social groups

How might the cost or

amount of disposable Why might disability affect
income affect the type of participation rates in sport?
activity an individual could
choose to do?
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