The results of a North East survey have been released showing that almost a third of people were doing more exercise than normal as a result of the first lockdown.

Rise, County Durham Sport and Tees Valley Sport, who are the three local active partnerships that cover the North East, have worked with research academics at Teesside University who developed a survey to understand the levels of physical activity across the North East, and the barriers faced when trying to remain physically active during the first lockdown of the pandemic. The results of the survey ran by the university researchers will now be used to help inform the future work of the three organisations - Rise, County Durham Sport and Tees Valley Sport - to provide more opportunities for people to be more active.

The team of researchers also looked at the impact of government policy alongside other factors such as the environment and social settings.

In Northumberland and Tyne & Wear, research found:

• Over three quarters of people changed the way they exercised because of the pandemic, with over a third of people reported doing ‘more’ or ‘much more’ physical activity during the first national lockdown

• Amongst those surveyed, walking was the most popular method of physical activity

• Only 40% of people asked said they utilised the allowance of 60 minutes daily exercise outdoors

• Primary concerns which prevented people from leaving their homes included anxiety and fear of contracting COVID-19 and reduced or lack of motivation

• Many people adapted the way in which they do physical activity, with 44.3% working out with their families and using this of a way to maintain motivation

• More than half of the people questioned worked from home during lockdown – with 36% saying they found that this had a negative impact on their ability to remain physically active

• Parents reported that their children had been negatively impacted by the lockdown as they could no longer attend sports clubs or do activities with their friends

• 97% of people reported that they felt safe walking in their local area, with the percentage of people who felt safe cycling in their local area was much lower at 71%.

Xerxes Setna, Strategic Lead for Research, Insight and Communications at Rise, said: “We want more people to enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle. By carrying out this research, we can understand better how something as drastic as the coronavirus pandemic affects people’s ability, motivation and barriers to keep active. We can then try to find the right solutions to give people more opportunities to be active in their own way, whatever way that is.”

It’s hoped the collaboration between the active partnerships and university will encourage a more joined up approach to researching the health and wellbeing of communities across the region, with scope to use results to shape future work being done by Rise, Tees Valley and County Durham Sport respectively, to decrease inequalities particularly after the pandemic.

As a result of the second national lockdown, which commenced on 5 November, the group has now released a second survey, to further measure the experiences of people living in the North East and their relationship with physical activity during the ongoing pandemic and the impact of the newly introduced tiered system.

To support the work of the three local active partnerships and the university, as many people as possible are encouraged to complete the survey, which can be found here.