The majority of physically active adults in England managed to maintain their habits despite the challenges of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, according to Sport England’s latest Active Lives Adult Survey.

The findings, which have been published today, Thursday 29th April 2021, cover the 12 months from November 2019 to November 2020 and covers the first eight months of coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, from mid-March to mid November 2020.

Regionally, the findings demonstrate that Newcastle has 66% of adults achieving 150 minutes of physical activity per week - an increase along with North Tyneside and Gateshead counterparts with 64% and 59% respectively. In addition, Newcastle (24%), North Tyneside (25%) and Sunderland (30%) have all seen a decrease in the percentage of adults who are classed as inactive.

South Tyneside was found to have over a third of adults classed as inactive in the area - an increase from the previous Active Lives survey which reported just over a quarter - followed by slightly less in Sunderland and Gateshead (both 30%).

The impact of the pandemic in relation to mental health and wellbeing, across Northumberland and Tyne & Wear is likely to be even greater than the national impact of the pandemic, due to social and economic inequalities. Nationally, anxiety increased and happiness decreased across the periods of the national lockdown and easing of restrictions (mid-March to mid-September) with the largest changes coinciding with the largest drops in activity levels.

Nationally, prior to the pandemic, levels of physical activity were increasing with rates of inactivity declining. The previous Active Lives adults survey (May 2019 – May 2020) found that the growth in adults participation in physical activity had halted, resulting in a largely unchanged set of results across the country.

The latest survey also discovered that nationally, the number of active adults fell by 2% compared to 12 months earlier, whilst the number of inactive adults rose by 3%. Initially, as a result of lockdown measures, the proportion of England’s population classed as active dropped by 7%. During the easing of restrictions between mid-May to mid-September, levels of physical activity were still down on the previous 12 month’s figures but recovering slightly.

Results brought to light the correlation between physical activity and those with a disability or long-term health condition, as well as differences in activity levels in men and women. It has also been found that the impact of the pandemic has disproportionately impacted Asian and Black adults.

Nationally, walking, cycling, and running have often been the activities people turned to when they could not access their usual forms of activity. There were immediate and long-term gains made in: walking for leisure, cycling for leisure and running and jogging.

Read and download our full report of the latest Active Lives adults survey here, or view our summary of regional data here.

At Rise we are dedicated to helping to drive improvements in our local area of Northumberland and Tyne & Wear. We use the Active Lives data to inform our work with our partners, and to tackle the complex and challenging task of reducing inactivity to improve the lives of more people across Northumberland and Tyne & Wear.

We’re working hard to raise awareness of the relationship between physical and mental health with our ongoing #NEMovement campaign, particularly as we’re able to return to play following a third national lockdown. We’re also looking forward to revealing our new ten-year strategy very soon.

Full findings from Sport England’s Active Lives Adult Survey Report are available here.